Gym Membership Question

BJK23

I have been a member of my gym since December last year and they have agreed to allow freezing of membership once they have reopened.   I originally joined because they have excellent classes (I dont  go in the gym itself) and because they have a 'bring a friend Friday'.  Due to Covid, you cannot now bring a friend and classes are reduced heavily, spin classes for example have reduced from 32 to 12 and it it impossible to get a space.  I have tried to cancel my membership because I can't get in any groups but they want £138 from me to do so.  

Am I within my rights to cancel without charge?

[Deleted User]

What do the terms say?

BJK23

I guess this is the main term - 31. We will not be liable for or responsible for any failure to perform any of our obligations under this agreement which are caused by any event that is outside our reasonable control.  However, it is a contract and it seems is only favourable to them.

[Deleted User]

The best you can hope for is a small goodwill gesture. As the classes are only a part of their offering, and they're still running albeit at reduced capacity, you might be able to get a couple of quid knocked off the monthly costs.

But it would be highly unlikely to be deemed to void the contract. 

NitroBN

Edit: Content deleted due to MSE editorial teams current policy methods of addressing cyber bullying in their forums is to silence the victims.

Thrugelmir

Goes without saying that members should receive priority over "bring a friend" promotions. Which by their very nature aren't actually part of the membership itself. Have you spoken the gym to see what their future plans are? Like everybody else is finding there's a new norm and it's going to take time to adapt. 

onwards&upwards

My gym isn’t allowing guests at the moment either, but this is only temporary.  

I think the classes are more of an issue, are they offering the classes on zoom, or access to recorded classes to compensate?  Mine did this all the way through and still are.  No use to me I only swim but I think it was a good replacement under the circumstances.