Cancelling Gym Membership

[hsw2006]

Hi everyone I'm trying to cancel my gym membership because at the time, I was young (i.e., stupid) and signed up for a membership because a friend did it. Now that my job has changed my hours, I'm unable to go to the gym, and I feel that paying for nothing is terrible. Besides, I do have a treadmill at home and two dogs that keep me plenty active.

I was reading the back of the copy of my contract, and I quote:

"If [GYM NAME WITHHELD] goes out of business and does not provide facilities within 10 miles of the facility in which you are enrolled or if [GYM NAME WITHHELD] moves more than 10 miles from the facility in which you are enrolled, you may cancel this contract by mailing a notice to [GYM NAME WITHHELD] stating your desire to cancel this contract, accompanied by proof of payment on the contract. The written notice must be mailed certified mail to the following address: [ADDRESS WITHHELD]. You may also be entitled to file a claim for a refund of your unused membership fees against the bond or other security posted by [GYM NAME WITHHELD] with the [STATE NAME WITHHELD] Security of State. The written notice must be mailed by certified mail to the following address: [ADDRESS WITHHELD].

What I feel would not work in my favor is that the gym neither went out of business or moved. However, I live approximately 17 miles from the gym when I signed up (I was so naive and just said "yes" to everything ). Would the distance be enough for me to cancel and get a refund?

Thank you so much for any input and feedback. My contract...well it lasts a very long time and my "friend" really doesn't care if I can't make it to the gym.

-hsw

[disneysteve]

Have you moved since signing the contract? If so, that might be worth trying. Obviously, nobody is going to travel to a gym that is 17 miles away.

[hsw2006]

Have you moved since signing the contract? If so, that might be worth trying. Obviously, nobody is going to travel to a gym that is 17 miles away.

Thanks for the reply
I'm actually back home which is 17 miles from the gym. So, technically, I never moved since the address I gave them was my permanent address. Is it still possible to cancel?

Edit:
Actually, my contract does not state anything about me moving. Is that a bad thing?

[jpg7n16]

Is it still possible to cancel?

How do you mean "possible" to cancel? You should be able to cancel at any time.

Have you called the company? What did they say?

[emanon1501]

How many months left on that contract?

[disneysteve]

You should be able to cancel at any time.

I take it you've never had a gym membership.

Those contracts are notoriously difficult to break. Pretty much unless you die or can document disability, you're stuck for the term of the contract. Moving out of the area might work but I'm not clear in this case. If OP lived closer when he signed up and then moved back to the place 17 miles away, that might work, but since his legal address hasn't changed, it might not.

The best way to get out of a gym contract, frankly, is to get your doctor to write a note saying you aren't able to participate due to a medical condition. Is that ethical? No, not so much, but neither is forcing people to keep paying for a service that they no longer use.

[jpg7n16]

I take it you've never had a gym membership.

Guess some gyms are different

I had LA Fitness. I was able to cancel by just sending in a form. They tried to sell me, and keep me comin back, convince me why I was destined to return and shouldn't bother cancelling - but there's a gym at my apartment that's very legit and has more than I need. Since I didn't need to go, just went and cancelled.

[bjl584]

My gym charges by the month. No contract of any kind or upfront fees. I guess I'm lucky.

You could do as Steve said and claim disability or you could try talking to the owner/manager and explain your situation. They may let you out of your contract.

[disneysteve]

My gym charges by the month. No contract of any kind or upfront fees. I guess I'm lucky.

That's the way they should all be, but they really make their money on those contracts. Bally's was infamous for selling lifetime memberships. They cost a fortune and most people who bought them never used them for more than a few months.

There are other places that do the same thing, like karate places and dance studios. Sign your kid (or yourself) up and if it doesn't work out or you just don't like it, too bad. You have to keep paying for the full term.

[herdjohnson]

Most will have a buyout. I was in a 12 month contract, but all I had to do was pay the membership fee (waived with a 12 month contract) and give 30 days notice. Just ask, they'll tell you what you need to do.

[Bades]

I signed up for a monthly contract - otherwise the place I was at had several hundred complaints filed with the BBB with this big Gym Corporation. People were getting charged months after they canceled!

Like any contract - don't sign up for a year unless you truly see yourself there. I paid into a year promotion contract with cable/internet. I'm not going anywhere for awhile so it made sense.

But yes, big gym corps are real sketchy...don't them boss you around - make sure you really understand the contract and def ask about cacellation terms before signing anything.

[mom-from-missouri]

Have you moved since signing the contract? If so, that might be worth trying. Obviously, nobody is going to travel to a gym that is 17 miles away.

I got a kick out of that--I have to travel 17 miles to the library, pharmacy, and grocery store Its 22 miles to visit a MD or Walmart.

My little town has 2 gas stations, 1 c store, hardware store and a Pamida, 3 eating establishments, a real estate office and newspaper office. Most is owned by the same guy.

Other than the schools thats it, but after hours you can go to the school and walk the outdoor track--thats as close as we have for a gym.

Before I moved here 17 miles seemed so far. Now, 17 miles isn't that far as the town that is 17 miles away is still 30 miles closer than going to the city!

[green_goblin12]

Somestimes it is just easier to close that bank account and open a new one. This may not stop them from billing and/or collections.

[disneysteve]

I got a kick out of that--I have to travel 17 miles to the library, pharmacy, and grocery store Its 22 miles to visit a MD or Walmart.

But would you sign up for a gym 17 miles away, knowing that it was a place you'd want to be visiting 3-4 times/week?

[bjl584]

But would you sign up for a gym 17 miles away, knowing that it was a place you'd want to be visiting 3-4 times/week?

I personally would not, but I live in an area where everything is pretty close. If I lived somewhere more rural or out west where things are spread out, then I probably wouldn't think much about driving long distances to do various activities.