We’ve all been there. Signed up for some kind of product or service, provided our credit card details. Used it for a short while and then lost interest, but never gone back and cancelled the subscription or membership. Gyms are a great example.
And gyms are expensive!
Continuing to pay for a gym service you signed up to but don’t use can cost you big in the long term – in both health and financial terms. To help you appreciate the financial impact we’ve estimated the “opportunity cost” of paying for a gym membership that you don’t use for a year instead of using the same money to pay off your mortgage or contributing it to your superannuation fund.
The big takeout is be careful before you sign up because you’ll almost always lose out if you choose to cancel a gym membership. If you have to cancel one make sure you read the cancellation policy and figure out the best time and way to do it to minimise the cost.
Gym memberships
| Services | Membership | Opportunity cost* | How to cancel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fitness First | $85 startup fee plus $23 – $36 per week | Within 14 days of joining you can cancel and just pay the $85 startup fee. In most other cases you will end up paying something. If you are within your minimum term you can pay out your agreement in advance and get a 5% discount, which hardly seems worthwhile. If your minimum term is up you have to provide 28 days notice from your next direct debit payment date (which seems excessive to us). If you paid a one off fee or purchased a pre-paid option in most circumstances you won’t be entitled to a refund. In all cases, to cancel call 1300 557799 or you are probably better to talk the staff in the gym | |
| Jetts Fitness | $90 joining fee plus $14.95 per week | If you pay in advance by direct debit advise Jetts by 5pm the day before your next direct debit is due and there wont be another charge If you’ve paid in advance, in most circumstances there is no refund To cancel, talk to staff in the gym or contact them via the Jetts web site | |
| Snap Fitness | $50 joining fee plus $33.90 per fortnight | After the 48hr cooling off period you have to ask staff in your local gym to cancel A minimum of 30 days notice is required | |
| Fernwood | $199 joining fee plus $22 per week | Talk to the staff at the gym to cancel. A minimum of two additional direct debit payments are required after cancelling If you have a fixed period membership or haven’t completed the minimum membership period there will be additional fees | |
| Anytime Fitness | Joining fee of $99 plus about $70 per month | Inside the 7 day cooling off period you can cancel and have your joining fee and membership fees refunded. Inside any minimum term you will be charged the minimum of 30 days membership fees or 50% of any membership fees remaining for your minimum term. You must cancel in writing | |
| Goodlife | Joining fee of $99 plus min of $14.95 per week | If you cancel within the 7 day cooling off period your $89 administration fee will not be refunded If you have more than 6 months remaining in your minimum term then the cancellation fee is $245. If you have less than 6 months remaining the cancellation fee is $195 Otherwise 30 days notice is required. Cancellation must be in writing to the club you joined | |
| F45 | Between $55 and $65 per week depending on term | If you cancel within the 14 day cooling off period you will get a refund If you cancel within your term a cancellation fee of 50% of remaining fees will apply If you cancel outside your contract term you must provide 14 days notice | |
| Fit n Fast | Startup fee of up to $150 plus $22.95 to $26.95 per week | If you cancel within the first 30 days your membership fees will be refunded (the joining fee wont be) but you must have attended the gym at least 2 times each week Two weeks notice must be provided and this starts from the date of the next direct debit Cancellation fees range between $0 and $350 depending on the membership term remaining | |
| Virgin Active | Ranges from around $40 per visit pay as you go to $33.95 per week for 12 month contract | If you cancel within the 14 day cooling off period you will be refunded any Upfront fees and membership dues less a guest fee for each time you have used the gym and a “reasonable” administration fee If you cancel within your initial commitment period (which is a minimum of 12 weeks) you still have to pay the fees for the remainder of the initial commitment period If you cancel after the initial commitment period you must give 3 days notice prior to the final direct debit charge You must complete a “Break Up” form and give it to staff at your home gym | |
| Crunch Fitness | Ranges from $9.95 to $19.95 per week plus final months membership fee of $39.80 – $79.80 and annual fee of $39.90 | If you cancel within the 7 day cooling off period you will be refunded 50% of any fees you have paid If you are inside your membership term you will not get a refund Outside your agreed term you must give 3 days notice prior to the next direct debit charge You must complete a Termination Form and hand it to a staff member in person |
This summary has been prepared by MoneyBrilliant Pty Ltd (AFSL 492711, ACL 493068). The information in this summary is of a factual nature only. We are not suggesting or recommending that you take any particular course of action in relation to any financial product or service. It does not take into account your personal circumstances or objectives. If you need financial advice you should seek advice from a licensed financial adviser.
