Health Clubs

Ask a friend or relative to recommend a good health club. Then visit the club during the time you expect to use its facilities. Check to see if the equipment is in working order and the facility is clean. If possible, talk with some of the members to find out what they think about the club.  

• Read the membership contract carefully before signing. Make sure you know exactly what you will receive in return.
• If you notice a club advertising an unrealistically low price, be cautious.  
• Never be pressured into signing a membership contract. 
• If there are several health clubs with the same name in your area, find out whether all of the locations will honor your membership.  Ask if you travel, can you use locations outside the state.

Know the Regulations 

Ask to see the health club's registration. Then go to  NJ Health Club Registration to check to see if the club is on the New Jersey Division's list of registered health spas, or call the Division at 973-504-6592. 

• Every contract for health club services shall be in writing.  A copy of the contract shall be given to every buyer at the time the contract is signed.  Total payment shall be on the first page of contract.
• Health club services shall not obligate the buyer more than three years.

Any health club services contract entered into in reliance upon any fraudulent or substantially and willfully false or misleading information, representation, notice or advertisement of the health club is voidable at the option of the buyer of the contract. Any health club services contract which does not comply with the applicable provisions of this act is voidable at the option of the buyer of the contract.

b. Any waiver by the buyer of the provisions of this act is void.

The provisions of this act shall not apply to any nonprofit public or private school, college or university; the State or any of its political subdivisions; or any bona fide nonprofit, religious, ethnic, or

community organization.

New Health Clubs

A health club may not charge and accept a down payment exceeding 25% of the total contract price prior to opening the health club facility.

If a health club facility is not in existence on the date the contract is executed, the health club

services contract shall provide that a buyer of a contract may cancel the contract if the facility is not open for business on a date which shall be set forth in the contract and receive a full refund of any deposit or payment on the contract.

About Cancellations

A contract for new or increased health club services may be cancelled by the buyer for any reason at any time before midnight of the third operating day after the buyer receives a copy of the contract. In order to cancel a contract the buyer shall notify the health club of cancellation in writing, by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or personal delivery, to the address specified in the contract. All moneys paid pursuant to the cancelled contract shall be fully refunded within 30 days of receipt of the notice of cancellation. If the customer has executed any credit or loan agreement through the health club to pay all or part of health club services, the negotiable instrument executed by the buyer shall also be returned within 30 days. The contract shall contain a conspicuous notice printed in at least 10-point bold-faced type as follows:

"NOTICE TO CUSTOMER

You are entitled to a copy of this contract at the time you sign it.

You may cancel this contract at any time before midnight of the third operating day after receiving a

copy of this contract. If you choose to cancel this contract, you must either:

1. Send a signed and dated written notice of cancellation by registered or certified mail, return

receipt requested; or

2. Personally deliver a signed and dated written notice of cancellation to: .....................................

(Name of health club) ..................................... (Address of health club)

If you cancel this contract within the three-day period, you are entitled to a full refund of your

money. If the third operating day falls on a Sunday or holiday, notice is timely given if it is mailed or delivered as specified in this notice on the next operating day. Refunds must be made within 30 days of receipt of the cancellation notice to the health club.

A health club services contract shall provide that it is subject to cancellation by notice sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or personally delivered, to the address of the health club specified in the contract upon the buyer's death or permanent disability, if the permanent disability is fully described and confirmed to the health club by a physician. In a cancellation under this subsection, the health club may retain the portion of the total contract price representing the services used plus reimbursement for expenses incurred in an amount not to exceed 10% of the total contract price.  

A health club services contract shall provide that it is subject to cancellation by notice sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or personally delivered, to the address of the health club specified in the contract upon the buyer's change of permanent residence to a location more than 25 miles from the health club or an affiliated health club offering the same or similar services and facilities at no additional expense to the buyer. In a cancellation under this subsection, the health club may require proof of the new permanent residence and may retain a prorated share of the total contract price based upon the date the notice was received plus reimbursement for expenses incurred in an amount not to exceed 10% of the total contract price. 

Please read the laws & regulations for further information.

New Jersey Health Club Laws & Regulations

NJ Health Club Registration Check