The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has opened an investigation into a number of companies that operate gym and fitness club chains or who provide management services to gyms.

It is considering whether these companies are using or recommending unfair contract terms in breach of the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999 and/or are engaging in any unfair business practices under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.

The OFT stressed that this investigation is at an early stage and it should not be assumed that the parties involved have breached any consumer protection legislation and that it will not reach a view on whether the law may have been infringed by any company until it has completed its investigation.

Playing an advisory role in this investigation, the Fitness Industry Association (FIA) has scheduled a meeting with the OFT case team in February to further understand the investigation and the process moving forward

Commenting on the investigation, David Stalker, CEO, FIA said: “At the FIA we strongly believe in following the rulings drawn up by the OFT and are happy to play an advisory role in this investigation process”.

Find out more