The rapid expansion of the coronavior leads to considerable restrictions on public life worldwide. Cinemas, bars, clubs, leisure and animal parks – all kinds of leisure facilities are currently closed. Sports activities on and in all public and private sports facilities, swimming pools and fun pools, fitness studios and similar facilities must also be closed to the public in accordance with the federal government's specifications.
Of course, many people are now wondering: Do I get my money back if I cannot use a current contract? Here we explain to you what it looks like at gyms.
The consumer advice center answers this question as follows: If the contract studio has to close, there is a contract disruption. It was impossible for the studio operator to guarantee the service offered.
Both contractual partners are thus released from their obligation to perform. The consequence: Members are exempt from their contribution obligation for the time of closure.
This means that membership fees do not necessarily have to be paid as long as a gym is closed.
The problem: the situation can threaten the very existence
It is understandable that users of fitness studios and sports clubs do not want to pay their contributions if they cannot use the studios. The problem is: If all members exercise their right to a refund at the same time, this can endanger the existence of the provider.
A spokesman for the Baden-Württemberg consumer advice center therefore advises the SWR to wait and see how the situation will develop, especially in the case of low membership fees. Anyone who can afford not to reclaim the monthly contribution is thereby helping to stabilize the economic situation of the provider.
One possibility is to pay his membership fees with reservation, a spokesman for the consumer center in Saxony informs. So consumers are not completely without claims. This can either be entered in the transfer field or communicated to the provider in writing in a letter.
The consumer advice center also recommends contacting the operator of the fitness studio and looking for a friendly solution.
McFit, for example: Membership fees will be reimbursed later
The example of the fitness chain "McFit" shows what a solution for the current situation can look like. This has informed its members about the Germany-wide studio closings as follows:
"Dear member, because of the measures taken to contain the Corona virus, we will cease operations in our studios as of today (March 16, 2020) at 10:00 p.m. until further notice as a precautionary measure for our members and employees. that you will not suffer any disadvantage and will replace the entire duration of the current closure free of charge at the end of your membership. "
The fitness chain also offers its members free use of an online training program for the period in which the studios cannot be used.
Is extraordinary termination possible?
In the opinion of the consumer advice center, a temporary closure due to Corona should generally not be sufficient for an extraordinary termination. "After all, you can use the gym again when it opens again."
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Sources used: bundesregierung.de, verbraucherzentrale.de, instagram.com/mcfit, meridianspa.de, swrfernsehen.de