The sun is beginning to shine, and you might be thinking about your fitness goals or being a bit more active.
Maybe you’d like to join that gym you’ve been walking past, sign up for a fitness challenge with friends, try pilates or an outdoor boot camp, or book a few sessions with a personal trainer.
Whatever your fitness goal is, it’s worth taking a few minutes to understand your rights before you sign up to any memberships.
In Western Australia, fitness service providers must follow the mandatory Fitness Industry Code of Practice. It applies to much more than traditional gyms, it also covers personal trainers, group exercise and any other fitness services.
An important thing to remember is that you should not feel pressured into signing up on the spot.
Fitness service providers are not allowed to use high pressure sales tactics on potential or returning clients. This could be telling you an offer is for “today only”, body shaming with statements such as “don’t you want to take your health seriously” or bombarding you with phone calls until you agree to sign up.
Any membership agreement must include a summary statement that describes the services offered, whether there are any limitations (such as not being allowed to use the pool on Saturday mornings), if the agreement is an ongoing month-to-month renewal or is a fixed term contract of no longer than 12 months and details of all fees and charges. You should be able to get this information without having to sit through a sales pitch
It is also a good idea to look beyond the headline price. That “summer special” might sound tempting, but check the total cost of the membership, how long you are committing for, what happens when the initial term ends and whether there are any additional fees.
After first signing-up, the Code gives you a seven-day cooling off period. This means you can change your mind and cancel within those seven days. You may still have to pay for services you have already used or an administration fee if this is set out in your agreement.
And if the motivation that got you through the doors in September disappears by Christmas, you are not trapped forever.
You can cancel a fitness membership by giving written notice, including by email. A business cannot insist that you cancel in person or make you use a particular form. Any notice period must be no more than 30 days, and the business must confirm your cancellation request in writing within seven days, confirming the amount of the last payment due and the date the termination will take effect. They are also the ones responsible for ending any linked direct debit agreements.
If you are a parent or carer of a young person who is more about gym sessions than skate parks, then you will need to sign their membership agreement.
So, if the warmer weather has inspired you to get moving, remember that you are signing up for a service, not signing away your consumer rights.
Take the time to read the agreement, understand what you will pay and what services you’re getting. A little homework before you start can help make sure your fitness journey is about reaching your goals, rather than trying to escape a membership you no longer want.
For more information about your rights when it comes to fitness providers, visit - https://www.consumerprotection.wa.gov.au/gyms-and-fitness-services