Queensland startup introduces platform 'to rid the world of rigid gym contracts'

MiGym, a new Queensland startup, is aiming to rid the world of traditional gym contracts, through a simple all-inclusive online platform, which places complete freedom back into the hands of gym-goers.

In an Australian first, MiGym.com.au allows individuals to view and compare facilities of multiple gyms in their local area and then helps them through the entire membership process.

With the fitness industry continuing to expanding and an influx of new fitness providers ranging from boutique group training studios, to boot camp, mixed martial arts, Crossfit, boxing gyms, outdoor training, gender-specific gyms and online aggregated membership facilitators such as ClassPass, gym goers are spoiled for choice.

The MiGym platform claims to have “done all the legwork” so that comparisons are easy. When a preferred gym has been identified, users simply click to join with no hidden costs, while membership fees are no more expensive than visiting the gym in person.

Most importantly, if a customer changes their mind for any reason, they can cancel at any time, without penalty, just as quickly and easily. A simple click of the button spells the end of lock-in contracts forever.

Ryan Elliott, co-founder of Migym explains “the concept came from a conversation with a mate of mine.

“He’d called to cancel his membership at a local gym, and was told he needed to do it in person. When he went in, the manager wasn’t available. The next time he went in, the manager talked him into staying.”

“Three months later, the guy still hadn’t been back into the gym. He had to have the same awkward conversation with the manager, who again tried to talk him into staying. Finally he was able to cancel his membership, but not before giving a further 30 days’ notice.”

Elliott believes this is not an isolated incident citing research by MiGym.com.au that indicates over 60% of survey respondents had found it somewhat difficult to cancel their gym membership.

The research also showed that over 90% of respondents said they would use a platform which allows them to join and cancel their membership online.

With 3.5 million Australians currently locked into gym contracts, the emergence of MiGym.com.au represents one of the biggest shakeups the fitness industry has ever seen.

Elliott, who along with his co-founder Sam Warhurst has almost 20 years combined experience in health club operations, is keen to see the ripple effect, adding “the more people we can get back into the gyms, working on their health and fitness, the better.”

Dave Burgess, director of the National Health and Fitness Academy, is wholeheartedly behind the initiative, stating “I have trained thousands of PTs, and am starting to hear that trainers are finding it hard to get clients to commit to a membership.

“These clients have been burnt in the past and are afraid of being locked into a contract.

“I encourage all my trainers, whether they be opening a studio or starting a bootcamp business, to sign up to the MiGym.com.au platform.”

For further information go to www.MiGym.com.au

Main image shows MiGym exhibiting at the recent Australian Fitness & Health Expo in Brisbane.

31st Ocotber 2016 - TWO WEEKS UNTIL NEW UNFAIR CONTRACT LAWS TAKE EFFECT

9th February 2016 - GYMS RISK BREACHING UNFAIR TERMS BAN

7th January 2016 - JETTS FITNESS FOUNDER WARNS CONSUMERS NOT TO SIGN LOCK-IN CONTRACTS IN 2016

1st September 2015 - FLEXIBLE GYM CONTRACTS IMPROVE MEMBER RETENTION 

4th July 2014 - ACCC WARNS GYMS ABOUT ‘NO CONTRACTS’ MEMBERSHIP ADVERTISING