Consumer Rights-Health & Exercise Clubs

Choose health clubs carefully and evaluate the pros and cons before signing.

Before signing a contract

Read the fine print of the contract and ask the following questions:

• If the club goes out of business and I paid up front, how do I get my money back?
• Are the club's hours convenient for me to use it?
• How crowded is it when I will use it most?
• What are the instructors' qualifications?
• Does the club have CPR equipment and/or defibrillators and staff trained to use the equipment whenever the club is open?

If you need to cancel the contract

If a health club that you recently joined is not the right fit for you, under Massachusetts law you can cancel a club contract within three days of signing. To cancel your contract, send by certified mail, return-receipt requested, or deliver in person a written notice of cancellation.

If your health club closes

• Contact your bank or credit card company to stop any automatic payments from being made.
• If you paid in advance, you may be eligible to receive some of your money back by filing a claim with the Attorney General's Office.
  • To file a complaint or a claim, contact the Attorney General's hotline at [phone] or visit their website.