Purchasing a new gym membership?

If you are thinking of joining a new fitness centre, here is some homework you should do before deciding where you are going to spend your money.

First and foremost, make sure you visit the premises and check that the equipment, staff and facilities are up to the standard you require. Ask for a tour and make sure every machine works properly.

Try to speak to members who use the club, such as friends or work colleagues. Find out whether they are satisfied with the service. Some gyms also offer free trials or a one-day membership. This is an excellent opportunity to try out services before deciding whether or not to join.

Before signing up for any long-term membership, check the terms and conditions of the contract to be sure you are happy with the agreement. Keep in mind that a contract is legally binding and once signed its terms and conditions should be observed.

The wording should be clear and easy to understand. In other words, you should not need legal advice to understand what is written. However, you should still take your time to go through the contract and read carefully all its terms and conditions. Make sure you fully understand what the club expects of you and what you can expect of it. If there is anything you do not fully understand, do not be shy to ask for an explanation before signing.

Make sure you choose the type of contract that is most suitable to your needs. The longer the contract, the bigger is the commitment. When signing up to a long-term contract, you commit yourself, and should you choose to stop your membership, most likely you are not liable to a refund.

This could also apply in cases where you pay by instalments or direct debit. You may be legally committed to continue to pay for the minimum duration of the contract. So it is advisable to carefully check any terms and conditions in the contract that refer to minimum duration and refunds before signing.

It is also important to look out for renewal clauses. Some gyms operate an automatic renewal clause. This means that if you fail to inform the gym in writing that you do not intend to renew your membership, it will be renewed automatically.

If you have any disputes with the gym or leisure club for instance the standards promised are not being met, you must complain immediately.

Always keep copies of correspondence and records of phone calls you have had with the gym or club.

This information will come in handy if you do not manage to resolve the dispute. You can also try amicable settlement through mediation if you decide to register your complaint with the Consumer and Competition Division.

Should this not suffice, you will also be offered the possibility of taking your case to the Consumer Claims Tribunal.

This is a relatively cheap, fast and easy way for consumers to resolve some types of disputes without the need for a lawyer.

Ms Vella is senior information officer, Consumer and Competition Division.

customer@timesofmalta.com, odette.vella@gov.mt