Money Moral Dilemma: Should I renew my gym membership even though it's currently closed?

QuackQuackOops

I would renew it because I dont want to travel further if my gym closes.
I like it because it has a swimming pool too and not all gyms do.

As far as the virus goes, Im not worried, despite being older.  I would happily go to the gym/swimming tomorrow.....and then take a cruise!

jbunduli22

I am paying a reduced amount for my gym at the minute, the reason being that they paused direct debits the day they closed and have provided daily live classes on Facebook.  After a few weeks of doing this they the emailed to ask if we wanted to pay either a reduced monthly contribution (£10) or the full amount &16.99). I went for the former - trouble is I’m enjoying the online content so much that even when it reopens I cannot see my spending the time to drive in and back when I can workout from home.

eao

One has to admire the brass neck of the gym owner.  It just goes to show the validity of the old saying 'if you don't ask, you don't get...some people are likely to fall for it.

Chrissey1

I’ve renewed mine last month in full by credit card. It’s a small gym and the only one in town and needs money to survive. If you can, speak to them to see if you can pay a reduced amount

NeilCr

Think it depends a bit on how important this gym is to you

Mine has suspended payments. However, it's by far the most convenient to me, I've been a member for many years and have a lot of friends there, the teachers are excellent and it has a good vibe, If they asked I, probably, would pay (I can afford it) because I'd like it to re-open if at all possible, 

GHolmesAdmin

No. Simply no.

stephenC19

I’d talk to the gym and ask them to “ pause” your membership until you are able to return. So effectively when you return, the membership is extended by the number of weeks you’ve not been able to go. 

Bellisima

Hmmm so would you pay for a non service anywhere else?  Would you pay for a takeaway food delivery but not get the food?  You should cancel and then re join once it is safe to do so.  

DPS-2016

No.  It'd be worth placing in a regular saving account for a rainy day fund.  You can't use the service through any fault of your own and things may also (going to be) tough on you too.  

bods

I am a member of my local council leisure centre.  It's run on the council's behalf by a local sports trust who are a charity.

Obviously they immediately suspended all payments when everywhere shut.  About a month in they sent an email saying that if anyone who wanted to keep paying, that would be great as it would help them keep going, and would help them to be able to continue their charitable activities in the area.

They also offered an incentive.  By donating your fees they'd change your package so that you would be on a fixed price for life.

For me I decided I could afford it.  That it was worth it to help them with their charitable activities.  And if I remained a member (very likely) I'd probably save a good amount of money in the long term anyway.  So I did it. 

There may be good reasons to donate your fees.  And if you feel like there's a justifiable reason AND you can afford it, then maybe it's worth doing.  I personally think though, any operator asking should - like mine - be throwing in some incentive!