Hong Kong’s Physical fitness chain members warned over ‘consent forms’ at reopened gym
Gym reopening under new Healthy brand asking patrons to sign forms saying it has no obligation to provide unused services from Physical
Members of the Physical gym chain that recently closed in Hong Kong should be wary of signing any “consent forms” from a branch that reopened under new investors, with legal experts warning the outlet offers limited consumer protections.
The chain’s branch in Wan Chai opened under the new Healthy brand earlier this week. Physical has been the subject of more than 3,600 complaints to the Consumer Council, with the claims involving HK$123 million (US$15.8 million).
Undersecretary for Security Michael Cheuk Hau-yip said on Friday that customs and police had received a combined 1,979 reports over the chain’s closure, with claims reaching HK$95 million, including one case involving close to HK$2 million.
Cheuk said the Customs and Excise Department was tasked with investigating alleged breaches of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, while the force’s commercial crime bureau was focusing on whether other offences such as fraud and the making of false statements had been committed.
He added the government was also looking into the new operator of the branch.
When customers returned to the Wan Chai location, they said very few of their past trainers still worked there and they were asked to sign a form that specified Healthy had “no obligation” to provide members with unused services from Physical.