Gym equipment not fit for purpose. What are my rights?

l3mmmy

I signed up to a 6 month gym membership 3 months ago, I was happy at first but today has been the fifth time I've been only to find out the cross trainer machines aren't working. The touch screens don't work/are unresponsive meaning I can't start the workout (you have to touch the screen to begin).

Last time this happened I mentioned it to the one member of staff on duty and she just said she will speak to her manager on the phone about it. There is only ever one member of staff there.

I'm pretty fed up now. I only really like to use the cross trainers as they burn so many more calories than other cardio machines and it's frustrating when you get to the gym straight from work to find out you can't always use them.

Do I have any grounds to terminate my contract early and if so how would I go about it in a letter? I want to join a better gym with equipment that works!

Surely they aren't keeping their side of the bargain here?

stuartJo1989

You've only been 5 times in 3 months?! Talk about a waste of money

But anyways...

I suspect that you could maybe push for a partial reduction in your fees (or maybe a free month), but it would be interesting to know if these issues were present when you initially joined + if they offered you a chance to view the equipment/induction.

I say partial refund because a gym consists of A LOT more equipment than simply cross trainers!! You aren't pay for a gym which ONLY has cross trainers, so I don't think you'd have a legal right to CANCEL your gym membership.

Also, it is quite convenient how you've only been 5 times and now you're talking about TERMINATING the contract.... It does give off the impression that you've figured out that you are wasting money

Plus, to EXCLUSIVELY use a cross trainer in a gym is a bit bad fitness-wise. You say that they "burn so many more calories than other cardio machines" but its not all about how many calories you burn/how quickly you burn them! Its more about cardio AND strength (doesn't have to be weights) training, and a mix of cardio exercises so you work out various muscles and build up your stamina so that you can consistently burn calories at a sustainable rate. Not simply turn up once every month or so, blast it out for 30 mins, pocket your calories and go home! And also, the mjaority of "counting calories" is about diet! If you get your diet right then you don't even need to go the gym. Ever 100% honestly!

Torry_Quine

I read it that this is the fifth time the machine isn't working not the fifth visit

Fosterdog

stuartJo1989 wrote: »

You've only been 5 times in 3 months?! Talk about a waste of money

But anyways...

I suspect that you could maybe push for a partial reduction in your fees (or maybe a free month), but it would be interesting to know if these issues were present when you initially joined + if they offered you a chance to view the equipment/induction.

I say partial refund because a gym consists of A LOT more equipment than simply cross trainers!! You aren't pay for a gym which ONLY has cross trainers, so I don't think you'd have a legal right to CANCEL your gym membership.

Also, it is quite convenient how you've only been 5 times and now you're talking about TERMINATING the contract.... It does give off the impression that you've figured out that you are wasting money

Plus, to EXCLUSIVELY use a cross trainer in a gym is a bit bad fitness-wise. You say that they "burn so many more calories than other cardio machines" but its not all about how many calories you burn/how quickly you burn them! Its more about cardio AND strength (doesn't have to be weights) training, and a mix of cardio exercises so you work out various muscles and build up your stamina so that you can consistently burn calories at a sustainable rate. Not simply turn up once every month or so, blast it out for 30 mins, pocket your calories and go home! And also, the mjaority of "counting calories" is about diet! If you get your diet right then you don't even need to go the gym. Ever 100% honestly!

You might be right with how you read it but I read it as this is the fifth time in those three months that the cross trainers have been faulty not necessarily that OP has only been to the gym five times in three months. I assumed that the other times all equipment was working fine.

bris

Who said cross trainers bur more calories? Not in my experience, a cross section of all the machines gives you the best workout and eats a lot more than any one machine does.


You go to the gym for fitness and as said above if calories is you main concern then just stop eating mars bars. There is no point thinking you are losing weight burning 500 calories on a cross trainer then going home with a fish supper on your lap.


The key to dieting is watching the calories you eat, all the big expensive diet plans have a caveat which gives the small print about being in conjunction with a calorie controlled diet. well news flash, if you watch the calories you eat you don't need to be on any fancy diet plan.

stuartJo1989

Fosterdog wrote: »

You might be right with how you read it but I read it as this is the fifth time in those three months that the cross trainers have been faulty not necessarily that OP has only been to the gym five times in three months. I assumed that the other times all equipment was working fine.

True, didn't think of it that way.

Fair point! OP, if that's the case ignore part of my post which relates to the 5 times in 3 months bit.

l3mmmy

Thanks everybody for the fitness and diet advice but that's not really what I was asking for...


Not that it matters but I use the gym 4 times per week and I'm not actually trying to lose weight as I'm not overweight, I just like to keep fit and get a good calorie burn during the work week.


I want to join a gym where the equipment works basically, and I'm sure as hell not going to have 2 gym memberships. I can't afford that.


Anyone think I've got a leg to stand on or?

societys_child

Anyone think I've got a leg to stand on or?

I wouldn't have thought so, just because a particular piece of equipment is occasionally unavailable. (5 times out of the ~50 times you've been?)
There must be plenty other equipment you can use?

pinkshoes

It has been out of order only 10% of the time you have been, so not the end of the world.

Finish your 6 months contract the look for a different gym.

Supersonos

l3mmmy wrote: »

Thanks everybody for the fitness and diet advice but that's not really what I was asking for...

You wanted helpful consumer advice rather than having your story picked-apart and your personal choices questioned?

You've come to the wrong forum.

stuartJo1989

l3mmmy wrote: »

Thanks everybody for the fitness and diet advice but that's not really what I was asking for...


Not that it matters but I use the gym 4 times per week and I'm not actually trying to lose weight as I'm not overweight, I just like to keep fit and get a good calorie burn during the work week.

I find it strange that you are so concerned about counting calories and so reluctant to try other machines if you are fit and have no plans for weight loss!

Might as well just take up jogging or cycling if you have that sort of mentality, its free for the most part!

Anyways, its up to you what you want to do. I was just more pointing out that if you focus on calorie counting (and most people who do want to lose weight by creating a deficit) then you can also consider looking at your diet, which is usually the cheaper option. If that advice isn't applicable to you then whatever, let it go in one ear and out the other

Each to their own!

I want to join a gym where the equipment works basically, and I'm sure as hell not going to have 2 gym memberships. I can't afford that.

Don't blame you. But then again does all the other equipment work? You pay for access to THE WHOLE GYM and not just one machine in there. To use ONE machine is your own personal preference, but it was sold to you as a complete package.

Anyone think I've got a leg to stand on or?

As I said previously, you may do. You may be entitled to a partial refund (not much) for the aspects of the whole gym package you have missed out on. They may instead offer you 1 month free which is often the easier way for them to resolve it.

You would need to speak to them.

If they do not offer you anything then you can take them to court and make a claim against them. You may also need to hire a lawyer/solicitor (Nobody is likely to sift through your contract and look for a breach for free) to see if a breach has occured which allows cancellation.