Gym membership - coronavirus 24 September 2020 at 10:01AM in Sports & fitness MoneySaving 12 replies 751 views

laurensmith23

Can gyms extend your gym membership due to the period of closure during lockdown? My membership was due to end in September but I have been told that my contract has been extended until the end of January now. 

bradders1983

Did you pay for the closure period? That was the alternative...

laurensmith23

I wasn’t given that option. The gym was completely closed during lockdown and did not respond to any emails. 

bradders1983

So you would have preferred to have paid for a gym membership in the months the gym was closed if you were given the option?

GilmoreGirl

I think you should be able to quit the membership. What if you were a student for just one year in a city? Is it a chain or a local gym?

LilyBrown26

laurensmith23 said:

Can gyms extend your gym membership due to the period of closure during lockdown? My membership was due to end in September but I have been told that my contract has been extended until the end of January now. 

 

I think that yes, they can

tripled

It would depending on the wording of the contract. What does it say about unplanned/forced closures or events outside their control?

jon81uk

If you were expected to make 12 payments when you signed up, it seems reasonable that they still expect you to make 12 payments.

But as others state it depends exactly what your terms are.

My gym is a one month rolling contract so no worries at all.

todaytom578

I was going to ask the same question 

unholyangel

No, they can't extend your minimum or fixed period except with your express agreement. 

The fact their breach was outside of their control only means they can potentially escape liability for damages, it doesn't mean they get to vary the contract to their benefit regardless of any detriment to you. 

BlueBottle

unholyangel said:

No, they can't extend your minimum or fixed period except with your express agreement. 

The fact their breach was outside of their control only means they can potentially escape liability for damages, it doesn't mean they get to vary the contract to their benefit regardless of any detriment to you. 

This is what I'm thinking. They don't have a copy of my contract (😆) so what do I do? I'm dealing with Ashbourne Management so if I just stop the DD they will keep bullying me and add escalating late fees which I don't really fancy. I probably would have stuck it out with the gym as the lockdown wasn't their fault. But when they send the kind of letters that make your hair fall out just because your address has changed and the direct debit didn't go through. I just want out. Is there someone I can complain to?