What to Do When Your Gym Closes
I recently headed to my gym: a small space on the second floor that I had been a member of for at least five years. This was my second home, and I spent more time there thinking about life among strength and cardiovascular equipment than anywhere else outside my apartment.
As I reached the double-leafed entrance to the gym, I came across a padlock on the doorknobs and large orange signs with the word “capture” in bold print covering the windows; An eviction notice was sent to my gym, leaving me and at least 500 other members alone, without even having an email to inform us.
It turns out that the sudden closure of the gym is not uncommon. But what do you do when this happens to you?
Contact your credit card company
As the Chicago Tribune recommends, if the provider didn’t deliver the promised services to you (and, say, you paid months in advance), it’s best to contact your credit card company and file a lawsuit to challenge those charges. It’s not safe, especially when the gym goes bankrupt, but it’s worth a try.
It’s also worth looking for the contract you originally signed with your gym that might provide some legal protection on your part – look for any lines that relate to interrupted service.
Yes, you can also take small claims court against your former gym. But then again, this is not possible if your gym is filed for bankruptcy.
Disable automatic payments
If you have automatic checking account payments set up in your gym, be sure to turn them off. They may try to charge you even after your membership ends.
It can be tempting to cancel your card when a similar situation arises or when you just want to leave the gym. Do not do this. Your former gym can break the hammer and transfer your debt to a collection agency, which can affect your credit rating.
Negotiate a great deal with your new gym
So you’ve finally come to terms with your old gym and it’s time to look for greener pastures. You are now a hot commodity for up-and-coming gyms, especially in competitive areas with a lot of chains. Each of these networks wants to get a share of the members from your old gym and are willing to do whatever they want, including cost flexibility.
Use your situation to negotiate a new deal when visiting promising gyms, and don’t be afraid to mention other gyms with better deals.
Another important tip: Join a new gym towards the end of the month. Usually, membership advisors have quotas and by the end of the month there is a chance that you will get a better deal.
And of course, be sure to get everything in writing. If a price seems too good to be true, having it in writing may help you in the future.