Leone Lombard writes:
I have been a Planet Fitness member at Ruimsig for about 15 to 16 years.
On 2 February this year, I was diagnosed with colon cancer which needed major surgery.
I approached Planet Fitness to freeze my account as I would not be able to gym for a while. I was told they could do it but I had to pay a freezing fee of R125 per month.
On 24 February, they came back to me saying that they could not freeze the account as my husband is the main member. It is not as if they are not getting any money, what about my R125? Therefore, I would still be paying Planet Fitness more than R300 per month to lie at home.
I had the same experience when my husband was diagnosed with melanoma and had to have radiation. They could freeze the account but then I could not gym as the account was frozen. Unfortunately, my husband has a chronic back condition and cannot gym, but we never complained about paying the fees as I was still going to gym.
I would like this to be out in the open for people considering joining a gym to look into this. I will not recommend Planet Fitness to anyone and definitely will never, ever go back. If this is how they can kick you when you are lying down, I would hate to see what they do while you are standing up.
My husband and I are both pensioners and feel gym is important for our health, but then you get people who are only interested in the money they can make.
Editor’s note: A request for comment was submitted to Planet Fitness. Their response will follow as it becomes available.
