Can I quit my gym when I'm still under the gym's contract?
Ok, so I'm currently joined at Bally Total Fitness and I really don't like it there. The rates are horrible and rip off expensive. Also, all of my friends go to this local gym and I really want to quit Bally's and join that gym. Problem is I'm under a contract for three years. Can I still quit the gym? I mean they really can't just not let me quit. I never even go because I hate it at that gym. The workers are really rude and mean, I'm afraid to go there tommorow and explain my situation. What do you think I should do?
It really depends on the terms of the contract....
They cant force you to go, but if you signed a contract saying you would pay for 3 years...you kind of have to.
Normally there are cancellation provisions in the contract though (with large fees to go along with that option...kind of like phones).
Well I'm willing to pay a cancelation fee. Any idea of how much it is?
I hate to tell you this but if you signed a contract you may be stuck there for the time-being. Signed contracts are legally binding. I once was a member at a gym and tried to quit (even though I had signed a contract) and they were able to continue debiting my account until I closed that checking account. Then they sent me to collections for the amount I still owed under the contract! It's really just up to your gym to decide how strict they want to be with it! I have heard of people being let out of their contracts because they were moving to a location that didn't have that gym franchise. ~ Good Luck!
Any cancellation options would be listed in the copy of the contract you have (there is no standard or even requirement for that option to be put in).
Why are you signing contracts without reading them? ....
You need to dig up the copy you have and look over everything. Look for what the contract lists they're responsible for (and if they arent holding that up, there might be ways out of the contract).
If you are afraid of talking to the floor staff you can try to go straight to a higher level (such as managers or customer service)....even through email would work.
Make sure you dont approach it like its your right to get out of the contract if you change your mind...it will just annoy them and make them not want to help you (because, you dont have any legal rights to just leave contracts when you feel like it without due cause).
Wow, signing a 3 year contract is just crazy. That's a loooooong time.
If they are difficult and won't let you quit out of it i'd suggest doing some research and finding out if they have a one year contract and then say they mis-led you by not giving you a one year option which you would have preferred to have taken. You could also emphasise how unhappy you are with their facilities and rude staff... don't get angry (that will just get their back) just keep emphasising how VERY VERY disappointed you are that their wonderful gym just isn't living up to your high expectations. That will get you way further than getting angry.
While this isn't the newest article, it seems as though you might be kind of screwed. Check out this link:
Call their head office.
Explain that you are not happy with the gym or the staff and that you would like to end your contract. Ask them what your options are.
Be polite (gets you further than shouting at them).
Good luck. I hope you get someone nice on a good day that will give you a break :)
Original Post by timothyk1:
Well I'm willing to pay a cancelation fee. Any idea of how much it is?
Why don't you read the contract?
Perhaps this is a good lesson to learn about signing contracts you haven't read and understood. On the bright side, assuming you don't own a house, this may prevent you from someday signing an adjustable rate mortgage you can't handle.
Well, you need SOME good point to stand on when trying to talk your way out of it. Saying that the rates are horrible won't get you anywhere; you AGREED to pay those horrible rates for 3 years.
Also, saying the workers are mean and rude won't help; they will ask for specific people whom you are referring to....and say you shoul djust avoid them.
It SOUNDS more like you just want to go to the gym where you know people.....
BUT, I'd bet you could email/call upper management and haggle it out. Most companies are willing to work with people; you just need a valid excuse before calling. I'd get a copy of the contract first; read it over. See what cancellation fees they have, or provisions for cancelling early w no fee.
If you pay attention, you might even find some thing in the contract that THEY aren't sticking to....meaning, they breeched the contract, you get a free pass out of it.
The only way I could get out of my gym contract without a penalty was by moving to where there wasn't one of their gyms. I moved to Korea so it was no issue. haha
And like everyone else has said... read contracts before you sign them. Common sense.
Get a doctors note like I did. I was diagnosed with scoliosis. I kinda already knew that but it wasn't on my insurance. So I went to about 3 doctors and kept pestering them. If its a medical reason that you (or they) didn't know about before you signed the contract and you get the dr to write you a note saying its no good for you to go, then you should be home free.
You signed a legal and binding contract, then you will have to abide by it. There are exceptions, that are written in the contract, such as relocation and illness...since you are unhappy, talk to the owner/manager...they may be likely to work out a deal with you and/or cancel your membership. I say may bc it all depends.
In the long run, avoid gyms that make you sign those long as$ contracts. I am a gym owner and never require anyone to sign more than one month in advance..which also is what is expected with personal training in my gym. **** happens, lifestyles change....expecting people to sign over 3 yrs of their life for something that is considered by many to be a luxury is just cruel...you do realize gyms that make you do this are hoping that 80 percent of you stop going..they want your money..not your business.
Do what Octo said. I was in the same situation as you, fed up with Bally's, luckily I have a doctor in the family who helped me out with a note. Even if you don't have a doctor connect, go to ur doc, say you have pain in some joint, etc caused by working out and they will prob help you out with a note. Just say no to long contracts at these gyms!..I plan on never signing another.
Original Post by ds1973:
Original Post by timothyk1:
Well I'm willing to pay a cancelation fee. Any idea of how much it is?
Why don't you read the contract?
Perhaps this is a good lesson to learn about signing contracts you haven't read and understood. On the bright side, assuming you don't own a house, this may prevent you from someday signing an adjustable rate mortgage you can't handle.
HAHA. Nice.
I totally understand. I hate that gym(the chain) as well. But I signed a contract, and it is pretty air tight. I hate reading those long, complicated contracts. Lot's of people don't read them. That is why there are many people including myself, that have bad credit. I am lucky enough to have married a guy recently that insists that I read those stupid things and understand them before I sign them. I hate it... I hate it ...I hate it... .But not only have I been losing weight, by sticking to this contract. I have avoided simular problems and I have brought my credit score up 36 points in the last year.
3 Years isn't very long. Work your butt off for the next 3 years(or however long you have left) and when it comes around to renew, don't do it with them. Or go ahead and pay the fee.
You can diet, you can exercise, & you can read & understand contracts. It's not easy, but it gets easier as you go along.
transferring a membership to another location. suspending your membership for a period of time. buying out your contract. paying a fee.
or considering it an investment and let it sit.
