24-Hour Gym Memberships and COVID-19

oblivianz on 20/09/2020 - 13:28
Last edited 20/09/2020 - 14:23

I signed up with a 24-hour gym membership in February this year for a 1 year contract (26 fortnightly direct debits).

Since gyms are now required to have a COVID marshal during access times, the gym has cut their access hours by 2/3 while keeping membership costs the same. They are also still advertising on their website as a 24 hour access gym when they are not.

Would I have any grounds on requesting for a reduced membership price or to terminate my contract without incurring cancellation costs? Would like to hear if anyone else is in a similar same situation.

Edit: To be transparent, my goal is to find a way to exit the contract with minimal costs as I am relocating.

Health & Beauty

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 20/09/2020 - 13:32

    Hmm. I reckon force majeure should be in effect here.

    The inability to provide access is through no fault of theirs nor foreseeable circumstance. I reckon if they are open 2/3 of the original time, that's pretty darn good.

    • oblivianz on 20/09/2020 - 13:37
      +2

      I agree. Thanks for pointing that out, I was not familiar with force majeure. To be transparent, I really am looking for ways to be able to exit the contract with minimal costs as I'm relocating.

      • FromAtoZ on 20/09/2020 - 14:01
        +1

        Relocation is a good ground to break the contract.

        • oblivianz on 20/09/2020 - 14:08

          That was attempted but I was shut down unfortunately. The contract now extends to longer than a 12 month period as the contract states that its for a minimum count of direct debits. As the gym closed during COVID restrictions, the direct debit counts were also at a stand still.

      • tsunamisurfer on 20/09/2020 - 14:14
        +1

        So Covid was just noise.

        Marshalls are just noise.

        2/3 opening hours is just noise.

        Would you kindly change the title to 'Signedba contract…now want to get out LEL.'

    • AustriaBargain on 20/09/2020 - 15:38

      I dunno about that. Back when I cared about what I looked like, I'd use the gym only at 10pm every night, or closer to midnight. If it was closed during that time then the membership would be useless to me. What difference does it make to me if it was of no fault to their own or not?

      • [Deactivated] on 20/09/2020 - 15:55

        Force Majeure describes a problem at the supplier's end and is an attempt to minimise the losses of both consumer and supplier where neither party is at fault.

        In this case, you are not at fault but neither is the supplier. They are doing everything within reason to mitigate the disruption as best they can. As a consumer, you could also bear some inconvenience, albeit no one expects you to be as disadvantaged as the supplier.

        I am also certain that the gym prefers to operate as usual but they are taking it hit as ordered by the government in the interest of individuals such as the consumer.

        It's hard to argue against the application of force majuere in this instance.

        PA - training at 10pm is seriously affecting your gains. Sleep is important and having adrenaline coursing will prevent deep sleep which will prevent natural release of GH. I keep heavy workouts well clear of sleep.

  • toristo on 20/09/2020 - 13:38

    If they looked at the last 3 months before the restrictions kicked in and considered the time of your visits, were they actually in those now closed hours?

    If so, they might as a goodwill gesture. If not, you're just being a jerk. If it's the first, drop them an email and ask.

    • oblivianz on 20/09/2020 - 14:21

      I know it sounds jerky. But most gym contracts state that a fixed price would be charged for an agreed service regardless of whether the customer uses it or not. Would it not reflect the agreed service should be offered as long as the customer pays the agreed price, regardless of whether the customer uses the service?

  • bobbieb on 20/09/2020 - 13:59
    +1

    I'm a member of one of the bigger 24x7 chains.

    When NSW was deep in COVID hurt and gyms were closed, this particular chain decided to reduce, but not completely pause membership fees… for me, this was over the line.

    Now they're open again - albeit with reduced hours - they're still not back to charging the full membership fee.

    I can personally see how my local gym manager is killing herself to all but single handedly staff the gym for as many hours as possible. Most members - myself included - are appreciative of her efforts.

    Yeah, it's not 24x7… but given a choice between limited hours and the franchise going under, I'm happy to work the limited hours into my schedule. I get the impression that the franchises get paid by corporate based on punters through the door.. and it's reflected in how appreciative staff are that people continue to show up.

  • EightImmortals on 20/09/2020 - 13:59

    We were happy to keep paying our weekly subs when the government closed the gym down for good so that it would still be there when they decided to reduce the covaids tyranny a bit. The owners declined and offer and it may not have made that much difference in the long run but why withhold a few bucks over something that isn't the gyms fault and might force to the gym to close?

  • 87percent on 20/09/2020 - 14:11

    When do you go to the gym? If it’s outside of when you would go, why do you care?

  • Dlw on 20/09/2020 - 14:35
    +1

    If it's a chain, do they have one where you're relocating to?

  • ozhunter on 20/09/2020 - 15:06
    +1

    Try selling the remainder of your membership.

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