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

meknowalot-51

Do not renew as your going to be paying for a service that your not going to be able to use.Your over seventy,as i'm sure your aware this age group are classed as vulnerable and need to stay indoors,self isolate(shielding)for those with underlying conditions.Things could change for the better within a year(hopefully)or they could remain the same,possibly get a lot worse.As for know i would say don't renew and wait for the guidelines to change.The big plus for you is when the time's right you can eventually rejoin and potentially get a discount or cut price for new clients.If your one of the more healthier low risk 70's then keep active and go for a walk and keep your distance.

DavyPaul

as it's a local facility and not one of the big chains, then i would say 'support them' and renew.
but, with the proviso that they support you by sending a home workout plan based on your requirements and with a one-to-one video call weekly to keep you on track - and maybe drop the fee until you can go back to use their kit.
I think of my personal trainer as my 'fitness consultant' so make sure you exploit their knowledge and expertise. 
(I'm also with DW who have suspended fees for the duration. I'm sticking with them as the local facility has a small swimming pool and is therefore good value0

joehoover

eao said:

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.

Depends what size gym we are talking about, if this is Nuffield like size sending around mailshots to secure long term contracts, it's different to a smaller local gym who may well go under (although even large companies could go under with no money coming in and then more people suffer as a result of job losses).   And many local communities are helping businesses who will struggle to survive anyway, many are supporting local pubs.   But they are usually offering something when they reopen, drinks vouchers.  Much depends on the individual case, your circumstances and the importance you put on it to the community and basically do you want it there when things reopen.   Similarly, musicians are on Youtube performing in their living rooms and suggesting a tip by Paypal,  these aren't musicians who sell millions of records and play stadiums, these are people whose music is just a regular job at the end of the day.   They earnt their money on tours and merchandise.     If you think people are mad to pay then did you think people were mad giving to the NHS via Capatin Tom when we already pay via our tax?   If people want to help and can afford to that's fine, if they can't afford to help or choose not too, then that's fine too.   That's the dilemma, but it's not a moral one in this case, purely personal choice.

KxMx

meknowalot-51 said:

Do not renew as your going to be paying for a service that your not going to be able to use.Your over seventy,as i'm sure your aware this age group are classed as vulnerable and need to stay indoors,self isolate(shielding)for those with underlying conditions.Things could change for the better within a year(hopefully)or they could remain the same,possibly get a lot worse.As for know i would say don't renew and wait for the guidelines to change.The big plus for you is when the time's right you can eventually rejoin and potentially get a discount or cut price for new clients.If your one of the more healthier low risk 70's then keep active and go for a walk and keep your distance.

The current advice for over 70s, classed as Vunerable, is stringent social distancing. I take that to mean be more careful when going out, aim to go out less than non vulnerable. 

As someone also classed as Vunerable I too expect it'll be longer before it's been deemed safe, but I know a 63yo with multiple auto immune diseases whose consultant has approved a return to work.

Provided they are as careful as possible on the bus and ask for help at work when faced with more than a few customers at once. 

As for the OP if you can afford it and want the gym to keep going then I would renew. 

REJP

No.  They will be claiming small business support from tax payers, and their staff will be furloughed at 80% wages.  If they are charging people while closed, they should not be getting tax payers money.  People forget these business loans have to be repaid ( the word loans is important here) so if they are getting a loan as well as subscriptions from members how can they go bust?

Mamalee74

My gym, although council ran, froze our memberships straight away. I wouldn't renew if I were you. I'd have thought the government would be giving them money if they count as self employed, not sure how it works. I'm 45 and I don't think I'll be going back to the gym for a very long time. I see older people, that I used to see in the gym, running in the park now. Even a brisk walk would do you good. Don't renew, you obviously feel a loyalty but it's not up to you to keep them afloat 😪

JayD

As the majority above say - don't waste your money! You can get a new membership as and when you are able to make use of the gym. And they may well be offering attractive discounts then too!

Missus_Hyde

As a matter of fact my friend and I were talking about this very subject this morning. He is over 70 and I'm in the "clinically vulnerable" gang; our gym is quite small and attached to a golf course (which has opened now, but of course golf is easier to social isolate than a small gym.)

They immediately stopped taking our monthly payments as soon as the lockdown made them close, so there has been no question of paying for something we didn't get ( they have been very fair about it.) I would not be surprised if the owner didn't open it again, though; the logistics of trying to operate it successfully with social distancing would be a real nightmare and so it's seems likely that it might close.

I would be very sorry; although the equipment and showers have seen better days, it's a gym with a lovely atmosphere (I've met some super people there including my aforementioned friend) and there is none of the "leaping around in Lycra poseurs" which you can come across in many of the more up to date gyms.

elaine555

I paid £600 for a 3 year Gym membership which was good value a year ago but now I’m regretting it as I don’t think I can get my money back. Also my gym has put online classes and exercise suggestions online so I think they count that as providing a service. I wish I hadn’t joined now.  

gloriouslyhappy

This is tough as you'd like to be able to support a local facility. But I think it's time to be pragmatic and consider your own circumstances. Plus, don't they qualify for some sort of corona-help?