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Jiang Chuqin

Some members of Hong Kong’s closed Physical gym chain have ignored expert warnings by opting to sign a consent form promising complimentary services from the operator of a reopened branch.
A former personal trainer from the chain said on Sunday the new operator of the Wan Chai centre, Healthy, had offered him employment at a rate “significantly” lower than his previous wage. No written contract was offered.
A sign at the entrance of the gym, which reopened under the brand on Thursday last week, said the operator would provide all remaining services to customers of Physical on a complimentary basis.
The Post observed customers arriving at the branch on Sunday, where they were asked to sign a form before entering that said Healthy had “no obligation to provide the remaining services”.
Most clients signed the forms in the five hours the Post’s reporter was on site.
George Silny, a 40-year-old gym-goer, was not one of them.
He said he went to see what the new company could offer but only ended up being alarmed by the terms on the form, especially the second, which said Healthy had “the absolute discretion” to accept or reject members’ applications after examining the contracts.
“I am very concerned. It means if my application is refused, which is possible, I will lose all my money and will not be able to exercise here,” said Silny, whose Physical membership would have lasted until 2026.
Others were less worried.
“I still signed the form because I just want to use the gym as long as I can,” said Hugo Chan Cheuk-wing, a 42-year-old public servant.
He said the Physical package he committed was cheap enough, as it was a nine-year plan that cost more than HK$10,000 and was set to end in 2028.
He felt the deal was good enough as he had already been a member for five years and he was prepared for it to end any time soon.
Lisa Tao, a 61-year-old physical therapist, signed the contract without reading the terms closely.

“As long as I can use it for now, it is good enough,” Tao said.
She said she suspected something was wrong after Physical began offering cheaper and cheaper packages.
A year ago, she turned down a 10-year contract that sounded “too cheap to be true” for a price of HK$8,000. The deal also allowed her to bring in another client while keeping the price the same, meaning the annual fee would be only HK$400 per person.
Gyan Bhujel, 45, who was previously a California Fitness Centre member until it closed in 2016 and has a Physical membership until 2026, also signed the form.
“At this moment I have no hope of getting my money back. It happened to me before. I will keep exercising until they tell me more details about further arrangements,” he said.
He said he had learned a lesson and would only sign short-term contracts, such as those lasting three or six months, or look for an outlet that offered monthly rates.
A personal trainer who only disclosed his last name, Chan, said four out of 30 of his previous clients booked classes with him on Sunday after the Wan Chai branch reopened.
“I have returned only because I want to be responsible to my clients,” he said.
Chan said Healthy promised to pay him HK$150 per session he taught, which was significantly less than his previous pay.
But he said had not received a formal contract and he knew very little about the company.
The Consumer Council said on Friday that the terms and conditions laid out by Healthy were unclear, suggesting customers do not sign the contract immediately and only make an informed decision later.
The council’s chief executive, Gilly Wong Fung-han, said gym users should examine the relationship between Physical and Healthy and consider whether the new arrangement would serve their needs as customers.
Some legal experts also said earlier that customers needed to seek more background information about the company before signing the form.


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Hong Kong society

Some Hong Kong Physical gym members ignore expert warnings, sign up for free services

Healthy gym in Wan Chai. Some legal experts said earlier that customers needed to seek more background information about the company before signing a consent form. Photo: May Tse

Clients line up to enter the newly opened Healthy gym on Sunday. The Post observed most signing the consent form to begin using services. Photo: May Tse

Over 30 members of Hong Kong’s Physical gym signed deals within 3 days of chain’s closure

Physical has reopened one of its outlets in Wan Chai under a new brand, Healthy. Photo: May Tse

Gilly Wong, chief executive of the Consumer Council, says terms of the consent form issued by a new company are “unclear”. Photo: Edmond So

Customers in line to visit the reopened branch in Wan Chai. The new operator said it would provide complimentary services for those with Physical contracts, provided they signed a consent form. Photo: May Tse

Hong Kong lawmakers seek stronger rules on prepayment schemes after Physical gym closure

Physical Health Centre announced last week it would temporarily shut down. Photo: Sam Tsang

The facade of a Physical gym outlet in Wan Chai. Photo: Sam Tsang

Hong Kong’s Physical fitness chain members warned over ‘consent forms’ at reopened gym

A former outlet under the closed Physical gym chain is running under a new brand. Photo: Sam Tsang

The Consumer Council says it has logged 3,666 complaints from customers against Physical as of Thursday evening. Photo: Sam Tsang

Clients line up to enter the reopened Wan Chai branch. Photo: Jelly Tse

News

Hong Kong

Society

Clients shrug off legal worries over Healthy brand’s consent form, others resigned to losing deals after gym’s closure


Clients shrug off legal worries over Healthy brand’s consent form, others resigned to losing deals after gym’s closure.


Consumers

Hong Kong economy

Consumer protection in Hong Kong

Health & Fitness