The Consumer Council is urging gym-goers to read the fine print before signing up for 24-hour fitness centres after a recent investigation showed that hidden fees can significantly inflate the cost of membership – especially for short-term users. The watchdog reviewed the membership terms and service fees of 11 round-the clock fitness centres in Hong Kong and found that while all of them offered monthly payment options, five charged extra fees on top of the advertised monthly rate, which included enrolment fees and charges for electronic keys or key cards. The council highlighted a particular concern for those gym users who might be unsure about their long-term commitment and opt for a one-month membership. In a comparison of average monthly costs between one-month and 12-month plans, one centre stood out for charging both an enrolment fee and an electronic key fee on top of the basic monthly rate. Since these non-refundable fees were spread over a shorter period, the average monthly cost for a one-month plan was more than double that of the 12-month plan. Three other centres also recorded more than a one-fold difference after calculating the monthly average. In some cases, the watchdog said consumers could find it difficult to sign up for a true one-month plan at all. Although two centres advertised a "one-month membership" on their websites, trial visits showed they actually required a minimum commitment of two months. After accounting for these exceptions – such as centres with mandatory two-month commitments or those lacking a standard one-month option – the average monthly cost for a genuine one-month membership among the remaining centres ranged from HK$498 to HK$1,850. "For consumers planning long-term training, a 12-month membership generally offers better value," said Kenneth Chan, the council’s vice-chairman of the committee on sustainability, public affairs and education. "Including non-removable costs, the average monthly fees ranged from HK$349 to HK$783, which were still lower than the average monthly fees of one-month plans in general." The council urged anyone considering a gym membership to carefully review all potential charges before signing and encouraged them to ask detailed questions about any additional costs to ensure they fully understand the financial commitment. "Consumers should take note of their total annual spending when making comparisons and also pay attention to whether the contract renewed automatically and whether fees would be adjusted after renewal," Chan said. Edited by Tony Sabine