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The eye-watering cost of unused gym memberships is in the billions

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A rack of weights in a gym is in focus while a woman lifts dumbbells in the background
The eye-watering cost of unused gym memberships is in the billions(Unsplash: Danielle Cerullo)

Have you ever signed up to a gym in January with the best of intentions, and six months later you have only been to a handful of classes?

According to a survey by consumer research group Finder, Australians are spending an eye-watering $1.9 billion a year on gym memberships they don't even use. 

Head of consumer research at Finder Graham Cooke said in order to get value out of a membership people needed to go more than once a week. 

"If you look at the percentage of people who are not going regularly and not going more than once a week, that equates to about $2 billion spent by Australians that they're not getting good value out of," he said. 

"It is definitely something to look at dealing with if you are struggling with the cost of living."

A man rests with his hands on the floor of a gym, with dumbbells near him and a woman walking past.
To get the best value from a gym membership it is best to go at least twice a week.()

Mr Cooke said customers should avoid lock in periods of six to 12 months. 

"If you quit before the end of that period, usually you have to pay a proportion of what you would have to pay for the whole time - 50 per cent or 25 per cent," he said. 

"Then after you get to the end of that initial period, there's a notice period, so if you want to leave the gym, you have to let them know, two weeks, four weeks, some six weeks or eight weeks in advance."

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Perth, Exercise and Fitness, Cost of Living
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