As minds turn from festive celebrations to New Year’s resolutions, consumers are in danger of being ripped off by unfair terms and conditions written into fitness centre contracts, Fine Gael Enterprise Spokesman Leo Varadkar TD has warned.

“The New Year period is the peak time for gyms and fitness centres to sign up new members as people seek to make up for over-indulgence over the Christmas period. Last October, the National Consumer Agency published guidelines for fair contracts in fitness centres. Some major operators such as Jackie Skelly and the Ben Dunne Fitness Group have changed their contracts in response to the new guidelines. Many other operators have not. …[more]

Fine Gael Enterprise Spokesman Leo Varadkar TD has urged people hoping to get fit in the New Year to carefully read the terms of conditions of gyms and fitness centres, as many have very unfair terms and conditions.

“As minds turn from festive celebrations to New Year’s resolutions, consumers are in danger of being ripped off by unfair terms and conditions written into fitness centre contracts. The New Year period is the peak time for gyms and fitness centres to sign up new members as people seek to make up for over-indulgence over the Christmas period. Last year, the National Consumer Agency published draft guidelines for fitness centres. But very few of the major operators have amended their contracts or rules of membership to comply with the draft guidelines.

…[more]