Viral reaction as US moves to ban gym ‘scam’

There’s been a viral response to a planned change to consumer law in the United States — showing how much people hate this “scam”.

One of the most hated things about gym membership could soon be history — in the US at least.

With the November US election approaching the Democrats have come up with a new policy, allowing people to cancel memberships with a single click.

The new consumer law, proposed by the White House, would require businesses to give people the option to easily end contracts.

For years, companies such as gyms have been accused of delaying the process to cancel a service, or making it extremely onerous.

Signing up to gym membership is often much easier than ending it. Picture: iStock

A White House spokesman said: “Americans know these practices well: it’s being forced to wait on hold just to get the refund we’re owed; the hoops and hurdles to cancel a gym membership or subscription; the unnecessary complications of dealing with health insurance companies; the requirements to do in-person or by mail what could easily be done with a couple of clicks online; and confusing, lengthy, or manipulative forms that take unnecessary time and effort.”

The new Time is Money initiative will essentially make it easier for people to get refunds, cancel subscriptions and submit forms.

It will also require businesses to make customer service representatives available, rather than chatbots.

Additionally, the law will crack down on “doom loops” — where customers are shuffled around through a “a maze of menu options and automated recordings”.

Other changes include: ending airline runarounds by requiring automatic cash refunds and allowing health claims to be submitted online.

US President Joe Biden. Picture: AFP

The announcement was received well online and quickly went viral with one post racking up 200,000 likes in just two hours.

“Could be the first good law passed in years,” one person wrote.

“Gym membership “contracts” have ALWAYS been a scam,” another added.

“Actually thank goodness THANK YOU!!!!! If I have to yell at a robot to talk to a human 6 times till they transfer me again!!!!! LMAO,” a frustrated person chimed in.

In Australia, people are protected by the Australian Consumer Law framework which is part of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth), as well state bodies like NSW Fair Trading.

Both the Democrats and Republicans have announced populist positions to entice voters for the upcoming election, with US Vice President Kamala Harris recently mirroring former US president Donald Trump’s pledge to end taxes on tips for service workers.