Three fitness operators change contract terms after OFT action
by Tom Walker | 08 Mar 2013
Three clubs have changed their contract terms
Three health club operators have agreed to change their contract terms following an investigation by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) which deemed some of the practices used by the gym groups as 'unfair'.
Bannatyne Fitness, David Lloyd Leisure and Fitness First have now agreed to change their contract terms to make them more transparent and give their members better cancellation rights.
Among the changes to have been stipulated by the OFT are:
• extended rights for members to cancel their contracts early should their circumstances change in a way that makes attendance at the gym difficult or unaffordable - for example if they lose their jobs or suffer an injury
• a commitment not to describe membership as being of a fixed duration, if the contract automatically continues on a rolling basis after the initial membership period has expired
• greater transparency about key membership features, including initial membership periods and cancellation rights, and for these to be provided upfront as part of the sales process
Cavendish Elithorn, senior director at OFT, said he welcomed the changes but that work still needed to be done within the fitness sector.
"We are continuing our investigation into some other companies in the sector and will provide an update in the coming weeks," he said.
Industry body ukactive welcomed the decision by the company's to comply with the OFT ruling.
David Stalker, CEO of ukactive, said: "We strongly believe in following the rulings drawn up by the OFT and we welcome any official guidance which protects consumers and motivates them to continue to lead an active lifestyle.
"Big fitness operators are increasingly offering a wide variety of flexible membership options to suit individual budgets and training needs, and taking initiatives such as the introduction of member pledges or short contract terms, which place consumers at the heart of their offering."
Three health club operators have agreed to change their contract terms following an investigation by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) which deemed some of the practices used by the gym groups as 'unfair'. Bannatyne Fitness, David Lloyd Leisure and Fitness First have now agreed to change their contract terms to make them more transparent and give their members better cancellation rights. Among the changes to have been stipulated by
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