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FIA refutes 'hidden costs' claim
The Fitness Industry Association (FIA) has slammed an article which appears in today’s edition of The Guardian.
The article, How to lose pounds, claims that finding a ‘reasonably priced’ private gym is near-impossible, while hidden, extra charges can add a financial sting to supposed ‘no joining’ fees.
The article also claims that 81 per cent of consumers drop out of the system six months after joining a private gym or health club but continue to pay fees for an average of four months after they have stopped using the facilities.
Confusion also reportedly remains over contracts, according to the article, with many consumers not realising that the onus is on them to inform the club in writing when they need to stop paying, while others fail to understand the full terms of the contract they were signing.
The reporter ascertains that, in terms of value for money and based on average month membership fees, gym attendees are better off going to an independent private gym as opposed to one owned by a multi-site operator.
In response, Andree Deane, chief executive officer of the FIA, said: “To suggest that there is something irregular about requiring customers to enter into service contracts in exchange for using a well-equipped and professionally-staffed facility is mischievous and naive. After all, the terms and conditions of other service providers – such as mobile phone companies – are similar to most you would find in the fitness sector.
“Furthermore, to evaluate 'value for money' based solely on the membership fee, is akin to evaluating a good meal by focusing solely on the price paid for it.
“Finally, the facts are incorrect: 81 per cent of consumers do not drop out after six months – the figure is closer to a quarter of that. The reasons given range from moving home/jobs and domestic commitments to the simple realisation that it takes commitment and will power to sustain a fitness programme to which some consumers may find it hard to commit.”