Exercise caution before you sign up for gym membership, BBB says

It’s never too late to jump back on track if you are running behind on your fitness goals, but the Better Business Bureau (BBB) says it’s important to exercise caution when signing up for a new gym membership.

Aaron Guillen, media and communications specialist with the Mainland B.C. BBB, says you should always read the fine print before you sign.

“(Be) mindful of where you’re putting your money at the end of the day,” he said. “Is it with a trusted gym, or is it maybe with another organization that maybe won’t tell you all the truth when you’re signing on the dotted line?”

The BBB says it received a complaint in August from a Delta woman who had signed a one-year contract with a gym after telling an employee she would be moving within six months. The employee said that wouldn’t be a problem, and she would be able to cancel the contract whenever she wanted.

However, when the woman moved and tried to cancel, she was told the cancellation required a move over 30 kilometres, a detail that was in the contract’s fine print. Because she moved 28 km away, the contract was still binding.

She says she wouldn’t have signed a year-long contract if she had known about this restriction.

Guillen says to take your time to review the contract before you sign to ensure there are no hidden fees you didn’t budget for. He says it’s important to remember that once you sign a contract, you agree to all terms and conditions.

“Don’t, in these cases, feel the pressure to sign immediately,” he said. “If you do need a couple of minutes to review and read the fine print, take that time.”

Guillen says that you need to make sure you know what happens when you cancel your membership, because once you’re locked in, it can be difficult to get out.

He adds if you are unsure about anything, clarify with gym staff and have them follow up in writing. Also, he says, take a tour of the gym before you make any commitments.