Every year, millions of people make New Year’s Resolutions, in hopes of becoming a better person than they were in the year prior. One of the most common resolutions people make is to get in shape.
For those planning on joining gym in 2019, Better Business Bureau serving Eastern North Carolina (BBB) offers advice to consumers before they sign the dotted line. In 2018, BBB received over 3,000 complaints nationwide against health clubs. The most common complaint received dealt with contract disputes and billing issues.
“Many gyms require consumers to sign a contract,” said Alyssa Gutierrez Director of Communications for BBB serving Eastern North Carolina. “Before signing, read through the terms and conditions to make sure you understand what you are agreeing to.”
BBB recommends consumers consider the following tips before joining a gym:
Check first with BBB. It is important to do your research ahead of time. BBB Business Profiles has reports on over 5.2 million businesses across the country. Before signing a contract, research the facility at bbb.org.
Consider your monthly budget. Most facilities charge an up-front membership fee to join and a monthly fee thereafter. It is important to decide beforehand what amount you can comfortably devote to physical fitness each month.
Ask around. Ask friends, family, and your physician to recommend facilities, and pick several that appear to align with your fitness goals and budget. Visit each club on a day and time that you plan to use it to see if you like the equipment, classes, amenities and cleanliness of it. This will also give you a sense of how crowded each club will be at the times you want to access the equipment.
Do not give in to sales pressure. Walk away from clubs that pressure you to signing a contract on the spot. A reputable gym will give you enough time to read the contract thoroughly, tour the facility and make an informed decision at your own pace. BBB recommends taking a sample contract home to review in a quiet environment.
Review the contract. Make sure the contract lists all services, facilities and hours of operation. The contract should also include any additional fees and charges, as well as any verbal promises made by the salesperson.
Examine membership details. It is vital to understand the details of your gym membership. You should be aware of how long the membership term is, the renewal process, your cancellation rights and what would happen if the gym were to close or come under new management.
There are an array of Moore County gyms to help you reach your fitness goals:
Anytime Fitness, Southern Pines
CrossFit 611, Southern Pines
Forte Fitness Gym, Southern Pines
Jazzercise of Pinehurst
Pure Barre, Southern Pines
Southern Pines Cross Fit
Workout Anytime, Aberdeen
