Getting out of a gym membership

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dannywayoflife

Longterm Registered User
Guys I have a gym membership with virgin active and if I'm honest it's just not my kind of gym. Is there anyway I can get out of it before the 12 month point?
I have had a shoulder reconstruction recently which they allowed me to suspend the membership for 3 months could I use that to get out of it?
 
I used to belong to Virgin and it all depends on what type of membership that you have. Send me a pm I have a contact inside Virgin. The contract that I had was a month to month basis with 30 days notice to quit.

Regards

tapmaster
 
dannywayoflife said:
Guys I have a gym membership with virgin active and if I'm honest it's just not my kind of gym. Is there anyway I can get out of it before the 12 month point?
I have had a shoulder reconstruction recently which they allowed me to suspend the membership for 3 months could I use that to get out of it?
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Hi Dannywayoflife

I feel that using the fact that you are still injured is the best way forward.

The OFT placed pressure on 3 companies last year (not Virgin) over unfair contracts and I believe that changes to contracts were implemented.

In my opinion, it would be unfair for any company to enforce a contract in the event that you cannot gain any benefit due to your injury.

If you have any issues then please come back to me.

Regards

JHD
 
I've managed in the past to get out of a Bannatynes Gym contract, wrote a complaint regarding the fact you couldn't get into fitness classes due to the regulars pre booking and no spaces available and a list of other complaints. Had a letter of court warning but heard nothing more..

Bannatyne Fitness, David Lloyd Leisure and Fitness First have all been forced to change their contracts after they were found to be making it difficult or impossible for people who were injured or made redundant to exit their gym agreements early.

Members of the gym groups are now able to cancel their contracts early should their circumstances change in a way that makes attendance at the gym difficult or unaffordable.
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My advice is to keep away from big name gym companies, fitness first, david Lloyd fitness etc, there a rip off big time, making you commit to a contract, find a local gym to you that is independent no chain etc. Far less hassle and they will cater for your needs not only on what exercise program you need but also what payment system is best for you, I use a cracking gym in Hampshire, I have a 12 month contract but because I work away on a 2 month on month off I just tell them when I'm away and they freeze my payment till Im back for my month. That to me is how to do business, not rip people off with all this legal bull.After all its a gym membership not a car you have bought or a mortgage.
 
Agree with JHD - write to them explaining your injury is still preventing you from using their facilities and that unfortunately you have no choice but to cancel your membership. Be polite, thank them for the service provided so far and that you will be looking to renew with them once physically able.
I presume you'll need to reallocate the membership towards some physio, so mention that too
Send it recorded delivery and once you know they've got it cancel your DD.

If they come back and say you can't get out of it, write another polite letter saying you are happy to forward their response to your letter and a doctors report on your injury to the press, explaining how Virgin are insisting you continue to train injured, potentially risking permanent damage to your shoulder.
If they say there's plenty you can do there that doesn't involve your shoulder, point out that the membership with them is there to support your goals - your current and only goal is recovery from your injury, therefore you're happy to continue with membership if they provide you a Physiotherapist as part of the service.
I presume you won't hear from them again
 
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Sorry I don't have a quick solution for you...
I was with Virgin and when I went to cancel they told me that I had to pay the remainder of the year, so to cancel there and then it would have cost me 7months worth of payments.
I asked when could I end my membership without cost and got a date and I took the girls details.

On returning on the date the girl had given me, some spotty youth told me the same, "oh your just over the deadline, you'll have to pay the difference"

Upon speaking to the manager and showing him the note in my phone from my first meeting showing the staff details and what was said I was allowed to quit there and then!

Its a big con to get you to keep pumping those monthly payments in..... looking at it another way, its fraud on a massive scale!
 
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