Health Clubs

Canceling Contracts
By law, Massachusetts consumers have a three-day right to cancel a health club contract without any penalty or further obligation. To cancel a contract, you must either bring in a written notice of the cancellation in person or send it by certified or registered United States mail within three business days of the date either of the contract or of the date you received the contract. This written cancellation notice must be returned along with all contract forms, membership cards, and all other evidence of membership to the address specified on the contract.

After a three day period, you may still cancel your contract if:

• • You move your residence or place of employment more than 25 miles away from any health club that will accept your membership
• • You have a doctor’s order than you are not physically or medically able to receive the health club’s benefits for more than three months
• • The promised health club services are not available due to:
  
  
• - Failure to open a health club or location
• - The closing of a health club or location
• - A substantial change in the operation of a health club or location

If you are canceling your membership due to one of the above reasons, be sure to clearly state that reason and provide reasonable supporting evidence in your cancellation letter.

All money must be refunded within 15 days of the health club’s receipt of your cancellation letter. However, the health club may deduct a portion of the total contract price that is proportional to the amount of time that you used the club’s facilities.

Verbal Misrepresentations
Consumers are protected by law against false advertising and misrepresentations. If these rights have been violated, you may either sue in court for the recovery of false damages or seek voluntary mediation to work out a settlement.

Additional Resources:
* Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation
* Office of the Attorney General