FTC FACTSfor Consumers

HEALTH

1-877-FTC-HELP

FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION FOR THE CONSUMER

www.ftc.gov

ooking for a way to get in shape? Joining a health spa, fitness

center, gym or sports club can be a great way to improve your

physical condition.

Nearly 33 million people are members of some 17,000 health clubs in the

U.S. today, according to the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association. And, although many consumers who join health clubs are pleased with their

choices, others are not. They’ve complained to the Federal Trade Commission

(FTC) about high-pressure sales tactics, misrepresentations of facilities and

services, broken cancellation and refund clauses, and lost membership fees as a

result of spas going out of business.

To avoid these kinds of problems, it’s best to look closely at the spa’s fees,

contractual requirements and facilities before you join. Here are some suggestions

to help you make the right choice.

Health Spas:

Exercise Your Rights Exercise Your Rights Exercise Your Rights
Facts for Consumers

Inspect the Spa

Visit the spa during the hours you would

normally use it to see if it’s overcrowded. Notice

whether the facilities are clean and well-maintained, and note the condition of the equipment.

Ask about:

• Trial periods. Is there sometime when you

can sample the services and equipment for

free?

• Number of members. Many spas set no

membership limits. While the spa may not be

crowded when you visit, it may be packed

during peak hours or after a membership

drive.

• Hours of operation. Some spas restrict men’s

use to certain days and women’s to others.

Some may limit lower-cost memberships to

certain hours.

• Instructors and trainers. Some spas hire

trainers and instructors who have special

qualifications. If you’re looking for professionals to help you, ask about staff qualifications and longevity.

Review the Contracts

Some spas ask you to join — and pay — the

first time you visit and offer incentives like

special rates to entice you to sign on the spot.

Resist. Wait a few days before deciding. Take the

contract home and read it carefully. Before you

sign, ask yourself:

• Is everything that the salesperson promised

written in the contract? If a problem arises

after you join, the contract probably will

govern the dispute. And if something is not

written in the contract, it’s going to be difficult to prove your case.

• Is there a “cooling-off” period? Some spas

give customers several days to reconsider

after they’ve signed the contract.

• Could you get a refund for the unused portion

of your membership if you had to cancel, say,

because of a move or an injury? What if you

simply stopped using the spa? Will the spa

refund your money? Knowing the spa’s

cancellation policies is especially important if

you choose a long-term membership.

• Can you join for a short time only? It may be

to your advantage to join on a trial basis, say,

for a few months, even if it costs a little more

each month. If you’re not enjoying the membership or using it as much as you had

planned, you won’t be committed to years of

payments.

• Can you afford the payments? Consider the

finance charges and annual percentage rates

when you calculate the total cost of your

$ $
Facts for Consumers

membership. Break down the cost to weekly

and even daily figures to get a better idea of

what it really will cost to use the facility.

Research the Spa’ h the Spa’s History

Finally, before you join a health club,

contact your local consumer protection office,

state Attorney General or Better Business Bureau

to find out whether they have received any

complaints about the business, or whether there

are state laws regulating health club memberships. If problems arise after you join, these

offices also may be able to help you resolve

your complaints.

For More Information

The FTC works for the consumer to prevent

fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid

them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit www.ftc.gov or

call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-

4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters

Internet, telemarketing, identity theft, and other

fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel,

a secure, online database available to hundreds of

civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in

the U.S. and abroad.
Federal Trade Commission

Bureau of Consumer Protection

Office of Consumer and Business Education

May 2001

Facts for Consumers