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In the midst of a pandemic, fiscal fitness is more important than physical fitness.
With gyms closed nationwide due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, members are eager to get their money back as they work out at home. But that’s not an easy process.
Because there are so many gyms around the country—some major chains and some smaller operations—the refund policies vary wildly.
Your best bet for privately held gyms is to contact the owner. If you’re a member of a national chain, though, here’s what several are offering their members right now:
24 Hour Fitness
No refunds, but the chain will suspend all membership billings effective April 16. And any membership billings charged from March 17–April 15, will result in additional days of access to clubs that are equal to the number of days paid for while clubs were closed.
Anytime Fitness
Most locations are offering a freeze on memberships while clubs are temporarily closed. Members will receive the time credited to the end of their memberships.
Gold’s Gym
Company-owned gyms are freezing membership dues until the facilities are able to reopen. Many franchise gyms are offering freeze options as well. Cancellations will be handled by individual gym locations.
LA Fitness
Membership billings are suspended, like many other chains, but when one or more clubs in your market reopens, you’ll start paying once again, even if it’s not the location you usually go to. Memberships paid in full will be extended to cover the time of the closure and personal training sessions will rollover to after the pandemic passes. Cancellation requests are being handled online.
Planet Fitness
All accounts are currently suspended, but if you were billed somehow before that freeze went into effect for a closed gym, the company says it will make an adjustment on the next billing cycle once it reopens. Pre-paid memberships will be extended by the length of the closure.
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