“I emailed the membership team in July to request a cancellation of my membership. The gym was closed due to coronavirus at the time. Everlast was not taking payments from my account as a result of this. I therefore canceled my direct debit. I received an email at the start of September telling me that I need to reinstate my DD so that they can process the cancellation. When I emailed to ask why, they responded that they need to take 3 months worth of 'notice' payments off my account, according to my contract. All good and well, but I brought it to their attention that the gyms had been closed for two out of those three months, and so I should only have to pay them for one month. I did not hear back via email, so I tried calling them. it took me 40 minutes on hold to reach a representative over the phone (ridiculous customer service!!) only to be told that the system was down and that she could not help me unless I called back later--AFTER 40 MINUTES ON HOLD. I would not recommend joining an Everlast gym. Gyms are on the way out, anyway. They can have their 3 months' worth of fees. I look forward to seeing their business fold in the coming years as people come to realize that gyms are cesspools of disease.
TL;DR: AVOID EVERLAST FITNESS AT ALL COSTS!”
“A 72 year old close relative signed up in January of this year for gym membership of sportsdirectfitness.com – a UK business owned by the billionaire Mike Ashley.
As could be expected, membership cancellation rules for his gym club offshoot are difficult to decipher. It’s easy to join and difficult to depart.
It took several emails before I received clarification about the cancellation terms. My first emails were ignored.
I then explained that the member in question had developed a serious medical problem threatening her eyesight and necessitating laser drilling of both pupils to remove pressure to reduce the possible onset of glaucoma. Complications arose from one operation.
I provided a hospital appointment letter confirming an eye operation early in July 2017. I advised that a further operation would follow.
I received a response which did not contain any expression of concern for the relevant members health. The hospital appointment letter was first ignored then rejected. This from a company you would expect to be interested in the health and well-being of its members.
The company has given a half-hearted written apology directed at me rather than the relevant member, but is still demanding a cancellation fee, a months notice and a doctors letter likely to cost anywhere between £10 and £40.
My relative said that when she joined, no one at the gym expressed the slightest interest or concern about her physical or mental health despite knowing that she was over 70 years old. Not a word was said about her age or mobility. They just wanted her signature on the contract.
Exercise for the elderly is good, provided certain sensible precautions are borne in mind.
The following is an extract from an article entitled “Exercises for People Over 70”
QUOTE
As long as individuals over 70 are cleared by their doctor, moderate exercise offers numerous health benefits. Seniors should strive for a balanced workout including aerobic activity, strength training and balance and flexibility exercises. Staying active benefits seniors’ physical, emotional and mental health. The physical activity of people over 70 should be closely monitored by a medical professional as seniors are at a higher risk for complications.
EXTRACT ENDS
Other gym clubs offer tailored activities for people over 60 and a supervised gym session for older adults e.g. Central London’s largest gym.
That seems a sensible approach rather than the hardline non-caring, money driven, contract enforcing regime set up by the controversial character Mike Ashley. No such warnings or policies were drawn to the attention of my relative by his gym club.
Current or former members of SportsDirectFitness.com are invited to contact me if they have had a similar hardline un-compassionate response from the company in regard to its contract terms.
If there is sufficient interest I might set up a website focussed on SportsDirectFitness.com. A central hub could assist dissatisfied customers. Advertising income would cover running costs. It could include a Blog, thereby providing an online facility for past and current disgruntled staff (and whistleblowers) to anonymously post information about the business activities of Mr Ashley.
SportsDirectFitness.com have seen the above article before publication and were given the opportunity to point out any inaccuracy for correction.”
“Similar to many other complaints . Tried to cancel a subscription multiple times over 6 months no response , no cancellation . Direct debits continue to be taken . Cancelled the DDR told that I should reinstate to cancel or admin charges and legal action . This is unlawful disgraceful and this company should be investigated .”
“There is not enough minus star's in the sky for this disgusting company a total embarrassment to society non existent customer service absolutely terrible delivery service still waiting for my delivery even though I paid next delivery this company is a waste of space avoid ordering at all costs”
“SCAM, HARRASMENT, BULLIES... Me and my partner got our membership frozen for three months due to the pandemic, we had a freeze confirmation email that read:
October - no payment will be taken
November - no payment will be taken
December- no payment will be taken
January - 29.99£ thereafter
They didn't charge for October but they did for November. I tried to contact them but the gym was closed, of course, none was there to answer the phone or to talk to, they do not answer emails and there is no customer service line.
I contacted my bank and I managed to refuse the payment and cancel any direct debit with them.
I have now received an email from them saying that if I don't pay the outstanding balance of 29.99£ I will incur in administration fees... outrageous, no need to say they are obviously closed! What am I supposed to be paying for?!
Disgusting company...”
“Company steals money. Reading reviews it seems like a very common occurrence. Three times I have cancelled my membership yet they still steal money as if it just hasn't happened. There's plenty of other guns out there, both cheaper and one's that don't steal their customers money”
“CAUTION ! stay away this Gym the staff are absolutely Rude and they are buillies no customer care whats so ever its also filthy poor hygiene even with the Covid 19 still can't maintain good safe hygiene still charge full price although they reduced there services to be honest i don't feel this gym will last much longer with its bad reputation and nasty attitude towards its customers even the staff at headquarters are very Rude and have bad customer care”
“Not that anyone will be surprised, given they have a 4 month notice period for cancelling your membership. They say it's only 3 months, but any day after the 1st of every month makes it 4 months for some unknown reason that they can't explain. Disgusting customer service, vile company.”
“Kettering Showers and changing rooms invariably COLD. I've bee informed that the boilers just cannot cope, aparently not only when it's busy; there are aparently NO plans to rectify this situation either by repair or upgrading!”
“i was buy it a bicycle and after 10 days,coming without bolts, fork was bend, no seat clips, frame was scratch a lot..send them 5 emails with photos like proof and no answer...stay away from SportDirect..! they are cowboys..!”
“Terrible disgusting company DO NOT JOIN GYM AT ALL COST. Sadly in August 2018 we made a mistake by joining our elderly retired mother who has a lot of health problems so she can get some light walking exercise. Unfortunately she fell seriously ill with chronic rheumatoid arthritis from November 2018 and had been bed ridden and housebound with chronic pain and on lots more medication. January 2020 we've come to conclusion that mum will never be able to go back to the gym even after all the hospital treatment as she is too ill. All membership payments were made up to date. However upon requesting to cancel the membership SD are demanding a 3 month notice period after 17 months of membership even in these circumstances. Simply don't care attitude. They say they make exceptions but these are all lies. None of my family and friends will ever use SportsDirect Fitness ever again. I will also let everyone know on Social Media of this companies disgusting behaviour. Avoid.”
“Appalling and dirty facilities, run by a young and untrained team. With no customer service experience. Unable to plan and book into any classes and when put on the waiting list, a call with 30 minutes notice that you've got a space in a class is not sufficient.
Upon cancellation, charges added with no communication of why and a phone call to the Admin team leaves you waiting on the line for over 10 minutes.
Appalling experience from beginning to end.
It's definitely cheap, but it's certainly not cheerful !!! I would definitely not recommend and advise to avoid at all costs.”
