Code of conduct for fitness centres approved

Fitness centres will no longer be able to prolong a customer’s subscription without explicit permission, and a customer will be able to cancel a contract without penalty on the advice of a doctor, according to a new code of conduct. The code was approved by sector organisations and consumer affairs minister Kris Peeters.

The new code also does away with the one-year minimum contract, leaving room for shorter-term or monthly contracts, as well as fixed-term contracts. It will be up to customers to decide whether to pay by bank transfer or standing order, and centres must provide a detailed list of fees. The industry will set up a complaints commission to deal with disputes.

“The consumer can only benefit from this,” Peeters said. “More transparent contracts and prices and an easier way of ending a contract for medical reasons.” The code would also benefit fair competition and give a boost to the image of the industry, he said.

Photo courtesy No Limits Fitness