Uninteresting question on gym contract

robin7 · 8 Sep 2016 at 14:59

I joined a gym and signed a one year contract. Part of the contract stipulates that when leaving you have to give one months notice and then a final cancellation fee (I think it's an extra months payment, but you can't actually use the gym).

My contract was taken out, over a year ago. They've continued to take money via direct debit, but I never renewed my contract or signed anything.

So how legal would it be to send them notice of cancellation and ignore their fees?

I will be more likely to just pay it. However as my contract was for a year, of which that term has expired. Surely it is no longer enforceable?

Anyone have any idea? I guess I'd need a copy of the contract really to know for sure, but as far as I'm aware (from my brief googling...) contracts for gyms over a year are usually unenforceable, so they couldn't have a clause saying if I go over a year it automatically renews or anything?

tom_e · 8 Sep 2016 at 15:00

You'll be on a rolling contract give your 28 days notice and laugh at them if they even mention charging you a cancellation fee.

vanandjuanunited · 8 Sep 2016 at 15:02

Part of the contract stipulates that when leaving you have to give one months notice and then a final cancellation fee

Assuming the contract similar to a phone contract moves to a rolling 30 day one you might still be tied to this.

What does the contract state

Burnsy2023 · 8 Sep 2016 at 15:03

I still find it amazing that people get into contracts for gyms. It's a ridiculous practice.

robin7 · 8 Sep 2016 at 15:06

Burnsy2023 said:
I still find it amazing that people get into contracts for gyms. It's a ridiculous practice.

Unfortunately where I live it's the only choice. Every single gym in my country does this and all have a one year clause etc. The only gym that didn't was the one I had to stop going to because they changed the hours to ones I couldn't fit into. They're changing to 24/7 so I'll be going back to my old gym.

RaohNS · 8 Sep 2016 at 15:10

Burnsy2023 said:
I still find it amazing that people get into contracts for gyms. It's a ridiculous practice.

100% agree. The chances are a local run down gym will give you better results for less cost and you aren't trapped. I cancelled my first and only gym contract at 18 because they broke the contract by allowing another person in on my pass and expecting me to pay again for a fictitious identity that they and the other person gave me.

Avenged7Fold · 8 Sep 2016 at 15:11

Give notice, pay the last 28 days and cancel the DD.

robin7 · 8 Sep 2016 at 15:11

RaohNS said:
100% agree. The chances are a local run down gym will give you better results for less cost and you aren't trapped. I cancelled my first and only gym contract at 18 because they broke the contract by allowing another person in on my pass and expecting me to pay again for a fictitious identity that they and the other person gave me.

The local run down gym changed their opening hours so I couldn't get there after work or before work. So I changed to another gym and unfortunately they all have this contract. The old one has reopened with 24/7 access and I'm planning on going back haha.

robin7 · 8 Sep 2016 at 15:12

Avenged7Fold said:
Give notice, pay the last 28 days and cancel the DD.

Cool this seems to be the general consensus. I've cancelled the DD already. So I might have to pay the last payment cash but that's fine.

RaohNS · 8 Sep 2016 at 15:13

Actually, didn't think of that. Yea run down gyms either operate funny hours or cannot commit to lengthy opening hours. My gym is 9.30-1.30 then 4.30-8.30. If any guys have competitions they can open when the fighter/lifter needs it to be.

robin7 · 8 Sep 2016 at 15:15

RaohNS said:
Actually, didn't think of that. Yea run down gyms either operate funny hours or cannot commit to lengthy opening hours. My gym is 9.30-1.30 then 4.30-8.30. If any guys have competitions they can open when the fighter/lifter needs it to be.

Yup exactly that. Been going to one for years but they ended up 11am to 8pm. And I finish work at 7:30pm, and start 9am. They've now been bought out by two of the members who are making in 24/7 and not changing prices or enforcing contracts etc. So... I want to go back

RaohNS · 8 Sep 2016 at 15:19

Still cant beat that type of gym though.

One of my first gyms was just three rooms in size then went down to two. The bigger room was probably 10ft x 30ft the smaller 10 x 20.

Never forget when they had a flood and the roof fell in on the larger room. Stayed that way until I left

that's a real gym, dust, a smell and cold in winter and roasting in summer.

robin7 · 8 Sep 2016 at 15:20

RaohNS said:
Still cant beat that type of gym though.

One of my first gyms was just three rooms in size then went down to two. The bigger room was probably 10ft x 30ft the smaller 10 x 20.

Never forget when they had a flood and the roof fell in on the larger room. Stayed that way until I left that's a real gym, dust, a smell and cold in winter and roasting in summer.

If you ever saw my pics in the sports section you'd know mine was just like that haha! Used to flood in winter, so you'd be squatting in 2/3 inches of water etc.

My personal favourite was the powercuts meant training by candlelight. So romantic

RaohNS · 8 Sep 2016 at 15:27

..... Are you from Stoke? As this sounds like the same gym minus the water holding. The flood was (iirc) something like it was a business slightly higher ground removing a wall and putting a new one in and it forced water onto the roof (flat) and with the dirt of 20-30years lol cave in.

Had a couple of power cuts and had to use mobile phone

Good memories. Worst place I ever did train was Planet Fitness in Florida with no groans, dropping weights, grunting and having wipe seats after every single use.... Never again.

Admiral Huddy · 8 Sep 2016 at 15:29

Burnsy2023 said:
I still find it amazing that people get into contracts for gyms. It's a ridiculous practice.

Typically, you don't have much choice nowadays. They charge extra for being in an open contract. Gyms have become very popular over the last 10 years so the demand is bigger. Sweat houses are pretty much a thing in the past.. £20pm I paid for a gym 12 years ago.. Then all the bigger gyms came along and it closed..

agnes · 8 Sep 2016 at 15:38

Burnsy2023 said:
I still find it amazing that people get into contracts for gyms. It's a ridiculous practice.

Very much this! Pay for the month, done.

robin7 · 8 Sep 2016 at 15:39

agnes said:
Very much this! Pay for the month, done.

Price is drastically higher per month at most gyms if you don't sign up for a certain period of time.

krooton · 8 Sep 2016 at 15:50

robin7 said:
Price is drastically higher per month at most gyms if you don't sign up for a certain period of time.

I don't find my £20 a month rolling to be that bad...

Rids · 8 Sep 2016 at 15:51

What company charges you a one month cancellation fee? I mean I know gyms do their best to bend you over, but that is seriously extracting the urine.

robin7 · 8 Sep 2016 at 15:53

krooton said:
I don't find my £20 a month rolling to be that bad...

I'm not in the UK unfortunately.

Rids said:
What company charges you a one month cancellation fee? I mean I know gyms do their best to bend you over, but that is seriously extracting the urine.

Mine does

Seems weird doesn't it? To charge you without providing a service is odd. That charge should just be in the monthly membership.