CMA publishes Gold’s Gym UK settlement over membership pricing

The UK Competition and Markets Authority publicly announced a settlement with Gold’s Gym (UK) Limited on 14 October over the way mandatory joining fees were displayed. The regulator ordered £9,220 in refunds for 726 customers and imposed a £45,000 financial penalty.

The announcement concerns a UK franchise operator running four London gyms, which operates independently of Gold’s Gym International. The CMA found that joining fees were omitted from the initial total for annual and Direct Debit memberships, or that the total price was insufficiently clear. The case concerns membership sales practices rather than sporting competition or the international brand’s wider operations.

The final infringement notice was given on 29 September; its non-confidential version and settlement details were published on 14 October. Affected customers will be contacted by the operator, with repayments of £10 or £50 depending on membership type. The penalty includes a 40% settlement reduction, and the company must report progress on refunds to the CMA over the coming year.