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Intro: |
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| Before signing a contract, check with your local Better Business Bureau to make sure no complaints have been filed against the club. Your state, province, or country may have laws applicable to the regulation of health club contracts. If you sign a contract and later find that something about it or the club makes you uncomfortable, you can check with your local consumer protection agency or an attorney general's office for possible assistance. Be aware that clubs sometimes change hands and transfer their members' contracts to new owners. When you sign a contract, find out whether or not the club will cancel it upon sale to a third party, leaving the choice to renew up to you. A new owner could considerably change the club's offerings and atmosphere. |
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Many health clubs ask you to sign a contract that details club policies, the length and terms of membership, and payment procedures. This is a good time to determine whether all the amenities you want included in your membership--classes, personal training, child care, towel service, locker use, and so on--require extra fees. Read the document all the way through before signing it, and make sure that all verbal agreements you were given over the phone or in person are there in writing. In fact, take it home to read it at your leisure. Remember to check for cancellation provisions in case you move or become disabled. Your newfound club just might charge you extra, or continue to charge you membership fees, if you move or become unemployed or just disinterested. Make sure the length of membership suits your needs. Are you signing a multiyear, yearlong, or month-to-month contract? If you're not sure you'll enjoy exercising at a health club or that its location will work for you for very long, avoid signing a contract that requires anything more than a month-to-month commitment. And be certain to turn down a lifetime membership (these agreements are illegal in most U.S. states). A lifetime membership is an unreasonable demand for most people, who will not be going to a gym well into their 70s, 80s, or 90s, and yet a lifetime membership might have you still paying dues into these golden years. Note: Clubs commonly respect a "cooling off" period of three days if you sign a contract and then regret it. If you decide to back out during this period, you should be able to do so without penalty. If you think you may want to use this provision, though, check with your chosen club before you sign, and get this option in writing; the cooling off period is a courtesy, not a law. If you've taken all your needs into consideration, however, you should be very happy with your new club. A good health club can motivate you, provide a new social outlet, and help you get fit faster. More important, it can be an excellent tool in your quest for lifelong well-being. -end-   All steps at once (printable version) |
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Read the fine print
