My first red flag that commercial gyms kinda suck was the first time I tried to cancel my membership at a large, well-known franchise. I moved to a state where this commercial gym had no franchise locations. As a paying member for the previous few years, I figured this would be a simple phone call to cancel my membership. Wasn't the case.
I was basically told that I must cancel my membership in person, and only able to do so at the location where my membership was initially signed up for. Not ideal when that location is in Florida, and I was living in Texas.
After a few Google searches, it turns out this is pretty common practice for commercial gym franchisees. Most people agree that it's an unnecessary hassle - but convenient for the gym's pockets. Once you sign that contract, they have you by the nuts unless you're willing to battle with them.
What other business do we allow for common practice of such inconvenience when cancelling a service? It’s a modern day strong-arm.
“You can cancel your membership at anytime! Hassle-free!”
Except you have to come in person at the exact location you signed up for your membership at - even though they have over 100 locations. And you have to speak to a manager to receive a cancellation request form. Then you have to sit there and fill it out even though they have all of your information on file. And then they still might forget to cancel your membership and charge you for a few more months - to which they reply, "oops."
Gyms market heavily to get you to join when your motivation is at its highest - offering a cheap signup incentive if you join NOW (typically around holidays), or offer a small discount when you sign up with a friend. This is all a ploy to gain as many memberships as possible, knowing that many will lose their motivation. Of those that lose their motivation, more than half will never bother going in person to cancel their membership.
“It’s only $30/month. I’d rather keep my membership than deal with cancelling. Even if I go once a month it’s still worth the money.”
This is exactly what the gym wants. Why do you think Planet Fitness can sell 6,500 memberships for a location that can only accommodate 300 people at a time?
According to USA Today, 67 percent of gym memberships go unused. That’s a ridiculous statistic. If a gym has 1,500 members, 1,020 of those members never even go. If the membership cost is $30/month (a rather low figure) then that gym is making $30,600/month from doing absolutely nothing.
Of the 18 percent of members that go to the gym consistently, 49.9 percent of members use the gym twice a week, and 24.2 percent made it at least once a week.
Being a member of several gyms for over a decade, I can attest that the majority of the 18 percent that are consistent, workout in the early morning before work, or the evening after work. This is typical for most people and the reason why a crowded gym is virtually impossible to avoid since most people are naturally on the same schedule.
Death, taxes, and the gym is crowded from 4-8. This is the nature of the beast.
If you actually want to get in a decent workout, then going between 4pm and 8pm is out of the question.
Going to the gym in the morning can be slightly less crowded, and usually less hectic. You wake up at 5 a.m and leave by 5:30. If you’re fortunate to live nearby, you arrive to the gym at 5:45. Everything’s going well until you walk into the locker room.
What’s that smell? It’s only 6 a.m. how can it smell so bad already?
You quickly change and walk out of the stench and into the gym. Why is there a group HIIT class in the middle of the gym? Why is that guy doing curls in the squat rack?
He leaves the rack with the weight still on it. You question if he’s done. After waiting two minutes, you start to walk over to use it - here he comes running back towards you.
“Hey bro, I’m super-setting this with the machine in the furthest opposite corner of the gym. Got about 6 more sets then I’ll be good.”
You’re in luck, the rack next to him just opened up. You start your first set and notice a line of people impatiently waiting for a squat rack to use. Feeling pressured, you rush into your next set and miss your rep target. You take off your shoes and chalk up your hands to deadlift - here comes the manager telling you that it’s unsafe and you’re going to ruin their equipment.
Guess we’ll move on to dumbbell work. Where are all the dumbbells? Oh, there they are with the guy who has every single dumbbell stacked around the bench, doing the world’s craziest exercise he just made up in last night’s dream.
Okay. Maybe I’ll use some machines. “Why are they all out of order,” you ponder as Chad maxes out the only working leg curl machine, dropping from the top of the lift each time.
There are quality gyms out there, unfortunately they are spread few and far between, and most individuals will never have the opportunity to be a longtime member of one.
That’s why there are very few arguments against building your home gym. Why not own the equipment instead of renting it with a monthly membership. Quit getting stressed out in traffic driving to the gym and wasting your gas. Quit dealing with the unnecessary headaches and eye-rolls that can be eliminated simply by purchasing the equipment you already use.
People search for excuses to avoid doing hard things. Lifting and exercise can be simple and achievable. Don’t look for excuses - contact us today so we can help you find a solution and build your home gym.
If you purchase a Home Gym Bundle from us and are having trouble cancelling your gym membership, we will help you! Take back control and break away from your sketchy gym membership.
