What you should know about gym membership

Gym membership promotions are happening throughout the year.  So, there is no reason to hurry to a gym at the begging of the year unless you have made a new year’s resolution to join gym at the start of the year.  The best time to join a gym is fall, typical slow time for gyms.  Another to watch for is initiation fees.  Look for a time where they reduce or even drop its initiation fees.

Most gyms require you to sign a contact.  Typically they are very long, legal documents and carefully read the entire contract before you sign it.  Typically they don’t allow you to pick and choose parts of it, so you have to agree to the entire contract.  If a particular clause is not acceptable to you, circle it and say “no” and initial it.  Keep in mind still the gym can say no to your contract.

Pay attention to a gym’s cancellation policy.  It is spelled out in the contract.  When it comes to fees, many gyms charge first and last month up front.  Look carefully for the refund policy.  Regardless of whether you give the gym adequate notice of cancellation, they may not refund your monthly fees.