Fitness International Responds to FTC Complaint
Krissy Vann | Host, All Things Fitness and Wellness
Fitness International has issued a statement in response to a complaint filed by the Federal Trade Commission.
Jill Hill, President of Club Operations at Fitness International, said, “We are disappointed that the FTC has chosen to pursue this complaint. The allegations are without merit, and the statute the FTC relies upon – the Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act (ROSCA), enacted almost 15 years ago – was designed to address only online retail transactions, does not require any specific method of cancellation, and has never before been applied to the health club industry. We remain confident that we will prevail in court.”
Hill noted that most of the company’s memberships, including all personal training memberships, are purchased in person. She added that Fitness International introduced an online cancellation option in advance of the FTC’s “Click-to-Cancel” rule, which was later invalidated by a federal court of appeals. “With just a few clicks, members may cancel online – a step we voluntarily implemented well ahead of regulatory deadlines,” Hill said.
According to the company, members have the ability to cancel online, in person at a club, or by mail, and the organization continues to comply with state-specific laws governing health club memberships.
Fitness International stated that it remains committed to offering accessible fitness services while defending its practices in court.
