How to end your gym membership: The inexpensive way

We all know that life happens, your expenses change, interest rates affect you and you end up having to cancel memberships and stop buying certain things to financially account for this. One of the most common places to start cutting down expenses is with gym memberships.

This can be challenging though. Some gyms are very strict and inflexible with their cancellation policies. In these cases, you should know your rights. Read on to find out more about cancelling your gym membership.

Why cancel your gym membership?

If you’re considering cancelling your gym membership to save some money, but are unsure if you should, then ask yourself the below questions:

1. Are you struggling to make ends meet?

If you are, cancelling your membership might be a good idea. You can always do some exercise at home or go for a run outside.

2. Do you use the membership enough?

If you’re paying for a membership and are only going to the gym once a month, then it’s really not worth it. That could be extra cash in your pocket!

3. Is your debt too much to handle?

If you have more debt than you have income, then you should definitely cancel your membership. Having a gym membership is a luxury, not a necessity - and that money is better spent paying off your debts and securing a brighter financial future for yourself.

It is important to remember, however, that cancelling your membership is not always an easy option There may be consequences and expenses attached, depending on your gym.

Certain gyms are more accommodating than others

1.Cape CrossFit

Jobst Olschewski, the owner of Cape CrossFit, and part owner of Cape CrossFit Foreshore and Cape CrossFit Newlands says for members relocating more than 50kms away, there is no cancellation fee.

“If someone finds in the first month that the membership does not suit him, he can cancel within that period at no charge,” adds Olschewski.

CrossFit also offers a ‘freeze’ option. So if for example you are injured or cannot afford the payments for a certain period of time, the membership can be ‘frozen’ for the specified timeframe at no extra charge.

“Besides the above ‘free’ cancellation options, the maximum cancellation fee on a new agreement is one calendar month of charges,” says Olschewski.

2. Virgin Active

Virgin Active also offers the freeze option. They would prefer looking at alternative options to cancelling but if you insist on cancelling they offer a way out. There is a monthly admin charge associated with this option.

You are able to freeze your membership for 1 to 6 months in a 1-year cycle. However, Virgin Active stipulates that you may only do this for medical or travel reasons and you cannot freeze your account if you are already in arrears. Your commitment period will then be elongated by the number of months that you have frozen your account for. This option is not available to members who are part of a wellness or rewards programme and short term members.

You need to give virgin active 20 business days (a month) notice when you cancel your gym membership.

“Should one of our members wish to cancel and they are within their initial contract period, they are required to pay a 30% cancellation fee based on the remaining balance of the contract.

“If a member is in their auto-renewal period they need to provide us with 20 business days’ notice to cancel their contract,” says Robyn Jonathan, customer care specialist for Virgin Active, South Africa.

3. Planet fitness

At Planet Fitness, you are required to terminate your Fixed Term contract on one calendar month’s formal notice before the expiry date . If you cancel before the expiry date you will have to pay all the fees that you owe up until the expiry date. They may also charge you a levy.

According to Planet Fitness, “Selective Active Memberships may be frozen at any time on request of the Main Member. The Member and dependents will not have access to the club, while in the Freezing period Medical Aid Partner cannot freeze their membership”.

Annual auto fee increases

Something you should remain aware of is annual automatic fee increases. Some gyms (or in fact, most of them) annually increase your fees on a certain date regardless of when you joined.

Often they will give you notice of the increase about a month before it happens. For this, some gyms allow you to cancel your membership if you do not agree to the increase. Check your contract about this matter!

Know your rights when it comes to your gym membership

Considering that it may already be difficult to terminate your gym membership, it's best to keep your wits about you. You wouldn’t want to be unaware of things, and then be taken advantage of.

Knowing your rights before entering into an agreement is wise. It will not only save you money in the long run, but it will also make you consider the seriousness of the decision you are about to make.

The Consumer Protection Act

“The CPA (Consumer Protection Act) requires all terms be made known to consumers before they enter into an agreement and adverse terms are brought to the attention of consumers before they sign,” says Neville Melville, Consumer Goods and Services Ombudsman.

Melville also wrote the book ‘The Consumer Protection Act Made Easy’ and co-authored ‘Know your Consumer Rights.

Length of contract

Melville explains that there is a maximum length allowed for a fixed-term contract. According to him, a contract of this sort can last for 24 months (or 2 years) from the date that you sign.

If a longer period is agreed upon and specified by both parties then it is okay. If a gym does offer you a longer period for your gym membership, they are required to provide you evidence that it will be of financial benefit to you.

Cold feet period

If the contract arose from direct marketing, you are allowed to cancel within five business working days. The notice needs to be in writing or in some form where it is possible to record the notice.

This period extends to seven working days after the date of receipt of the goods or product if the goods or product was purchased via electronic communications.

What if you don’t get a response from the gym?

You have a right to cancel but you need to accept the consequences: “You have a right to cancel subject to payment of a reasonable cancellation fee,” says Melville. However, at times it may seem as if you are not having any ‘luck’ cancelling. If this is the case, make sure you have all the evidence of your attempts to cancel.

“Proving the date of first notification of cancellation would impact on showing that [the] supplier had plenty of time to resell the goods or services,” says Melville. If all attempts fail you can lay a complaint with the ombudsman.

Visit the Consumer Goods & Services Ombud’s website for more info.

If your gym membership fees and other expenses are piling up and you find yourself stuck and unable to pay things off, then contact us - we can help you get it sorted.