Gym that requires credit card/bank account

Most gyms do this, so they can auto-bill you. I go to Gold's Gym, and they do it. Never had any problem. I just write on the calendar when the dues are going to be withdrawn, and treat it like any other bill.

My gym just does an automatic withdrawal each week of the agreed amount. Never been a problem.

Just make sure you get everything written down in a contract.

My gym has my card on file. They do automatic payments every month. The only problem I had was when my contract renewed and I had removed a service. The renewal added the service, but a quick call fixed it.

If it bothers you that much, pay for the year in full.

I did that with my membership because it was cheaper than paying month to month. But ive had other memberships that auto bill me. Just remember the date they take it out and if there's a yearly membership fee.

I see this trend increasing and I personally do not approve of giving people that I do not know, access to my bank account. My current gym does this auto draft as well. I purchased a re-loadable pre-paid card and gave them that information. If I lose the few hundred on the card, life will go on. If something happens and we have a dispute, the card is cancelled and they are on their own.

This decision came about after cancelling a membership with Golds Gym after the 1 year agreement was complete. This process took about 6 months to cancel and we actually closed the bank account just to make sure they were done auto drafting... It's your money...

Edit addition:

Almost forgot this one. Had a spa membership for my Beautiful wife and myself at $120 mo. Canceled membership after the 6 month contract was complete and they still auto drafted the next month. This one was simple to correct and they credited back the funds within a week.

Some people do not have much buffer in their bank accounts and $120 would cause them to bounce checks with a $30 per check overdraft fee. No Thanks... I'll just have a few hundred on a pre paid card that I don't use for other purchases. Think of it as insurance...

everything requires a cc/debit account these days. you should probably get used to the idea.

Hmm. Not in Canada.


OP - it's a BAD idea to let businesses have your banking information. ALWAYS A BAD FINANCIAL MOVE. They can go into your bank account whenever they want, and you have very little protection, because you authorized it. Use a credit card with that gym, or go somewhere else.

It's perfectly safe. You have protection for unauthorized use. Just be sure to ensure you understand the cancellation policy, which is typically at least 30 days in advance of the next payment.

I have had mixed results with this sort of thing;

YMCA is legit no problems with them whatsoever

Steve Nash Fitness World is also legit if you are on the west coast they let you pay a year up front in cash which is what I do

LA Fitness out east is good too..

Those are the only gyms in Canada I would vouch for. You have to be so careful giving gyms unfettered access to your bank account. I have had problems with a chain in Ontario taking money out of my bank account 2 years after I cancelled and switched gyms.. They did not care and kept taking money out of my account. I only got it back when I cornered the manager and threatened his face. There are a lot of cockroaches out there.. be safe.

ymca automatically withdraws the money on either the 1st or 15th of the month, your choice

they do this so you can't skip out on payments. No problems.

It is convenient for both parties. They can focus on providing the facilities and maintaining the equipment and you can concentrate on using it. Just remember to cancel if you choose another gym or are not using the facilities. You can get your bank to stop payment to prevent any accidental continuation of membership fees - be mindful of cancellation period is all.

I might add that all the places We have given permission to withdraw their fee's from our account, We had to fill out a paper giving them permission to withdraw a set amount and if it ever changes we must authorize the new amount....

It's perfectly safe. You have protection for unauthorized use.

you don't have that much protection in Canada.

I'd vouch for the Y, was a member growing up.

Now I work for a university and pay for the gym through payroll deductions. Very easy since I never even get the money in the first place.

I actually have none of my bills set up for automatic withdrawal. Some companies (like Time Warner who I use for internet) will change their prices by a few cents (which is so weird) so this way I can see the bill first. My bank account also transfers money for free and I just write it in my calendar the due dates. Never had a problem.

My membership to Anytime is done on my Visa. I'm getting some pretty sweet travel miles from Capital One from it

Personally never give a Debt Credit either a Credit Card or Pre-Paid Credit Card.