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Health Club Contract
Important Considerations
Before Signing a Health Club Contract
Check your state government's attorney general or consumer protection website. Search for information about health clubs.
You'll probably find information like the following:
- The majority of complaints about health clubs concerned differences between what the consumer was told about the cancellation procedure and what the contract actually contained. This illustrates two important points you should consider:
- Most people have great expectations about getting into an exercise program. But, in reality they start slow and gradually taper off until they stop altogether.
- Most people are too trusting and believe what they are told. When you sign a contract, the contract (not the verbal sales talk) is important. The contract governs how long and how much you are required to pay. So, stop listening to the sales talk and read the contract before you sign it.
- Consumers complained about high pressure tactics used to rush them into signing health club contracts. Take the time to fully understand your contractual obligations. Most people think that if they stop using the health club facilities they can discontinue payments on the contract; this is not so.
- Be cautious when you are offered an inexpensive lifetime memberships. These offers are often used to raise money quickly because of financial difficulty.
Be sure you evaluate the health club for procedures and any charges for the activities that interest you. For example, if you are interested in an aerobics class, find out if you must join a new class or if you can participate in classes any time it's convenient for you. And find out the charge per class, if any.
If you would like to invite friends for racketball or other group activities, determine the policy of the health club about admitting non-members.
In general, think about your needs. Determine if the health club and meet those needs at a reasonable price. And read the contract to find about any surprises before you sign it.
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