Before you join a gym for your New Year's resolution, make sure you do your homework.
That's a word of caution from the government of Ontario.
Harry Malhi with the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services says before you sign a contract, there are a number of things you should keep in mind.
"Consumers should take the time to read the contract and not feel any pressure to sign any contract," says Malhi. "They should also do a walkthrough of the gym, make sure they like what they see... and make sure the hours and class times are convenient for them and fit their own schedules."
A release from the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services says it received more than 1,110 gym and fitness club-related complaints between 2015 and 2016. The most common topics included contract cancellations and billing disputes.
One of the consumer rights the ministry wants to highlight, especially at this time of the year, is the "10-day cooling off period."
If you've already signed up, and decide that you don't want to stay on with the gym, Malhi says you have the right to cancel a gym membership within 10 days of receiving a written copy of your contract without providing a reason.
Another suggestion from provincial officials includes paying month-to-month for a gym membership instead of paying up-front for the whole year. It could be a more expensive option on a monthly basis, but Malhi says it could also end up saving you money if you decide to quit earlier than expected.
"It gives people convenience to make sure that if they're not going to like the gym for the entire year or they want to change gyms, it gives them more flexibility there," says Malhi.
If you have any questions for the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services, you can find their contact information here.
