Membership agreement (club, gym, studio) template

Membership Agreement

Parties: Club · Member

1. Purpose

This agreement sets out the terms on which the Club admits the Member as a member and the Member uses its facilities and services. The Club may be a sports club, gym, fitness or yoga studio, social club or a similar business or association. If the Member is a minor, a parent or legal guardian also signs as a further party, as the clause on minors and guests describes.

2. Membership and facilities

Type of membership: [[Membership type, e.g. standard, off-peak, family]]

The membership gives the Member access to [[Facilities, classes and services included]] during [[Opening hours and days]]. Anything not listed, such as personal training, special classes, lockers or towels, is charged separately only if the price schedule lists it.

The membership is personal to the Member and may not be transferred or shared unless the Club agrees in writing or in electronic form. The Club may ask the Member to show their membership card or another means of access.

3. Fees and payment

The Member pays the joining fee, if any, and the membership fee shown in the price schedule of this contract, [[monthly / quarterly / yearly]] in advance, on the payment terms stated in it. Method of payment: [[bank transfer / standing order / direct debit / card]]

If a payment is more than [[7]] days late, the Club may suspend access after telling the Member; the fee stays due. Where taxes apply, they are added to the fees.

The Club tells the Member in writing or in electronic form at least [[30]] days before a change of fee takes effect; the Member may then end the membership before the change takes effect.

4. Term, renewal and cancellation

The membership starts on the effective date and runs for an initial period of [[12]] months. After that it continues [[month by month / for further periods of the same length]] until the Member or the Club ends it by notice of [[30]] days in writing or in electronic form, effective at the end of a period.

Rights that the law gives the Member as a consumer, such as a right to cancel a contract made at a distance or away from business premises, or a right to end the membership for a serious reason or after a change that the Member cannot reasonably accept, are not affected.

The Club may end the membership at once by notice if the Member seriously or repeatedly breaks the rules after a warning, or does not pay after a reminder.

When the membership ends, the Member stops using the facilities and returns the membership card or key. The Club refunds fees already paid for the time after the end, except that a joining fee is not refunded where the price schedule says so.

5. Freezing and absence

The Member may freeze the membership for illness, injury, pregnancy, travel or similar reasons, [[for up to 3 months in each year / on the terms stated here]], by telling the Club in advance in writing or in electronic form. During a freeze the fee is [[not charged / reduced to the amount stated here]], and the initial period is extended by the length of the freeze.

The Club may ask for reasonable proof of an illness or injury. Short absences do not change the fee.

6. Rules and conduct

The Member follows the Club’s rules, which the Club gave the Member before they signed and posts at the premises. Where the rules can be read: [[Where the rules can be read]]

The Member uses the equipment safely and as intended, treats staff and other members with respect, keeps the premises clean and does not harass, discriminate against or endanger others. Sports clothing and footwear: [[Dress rules, if any]]

The Club may change the rules for good reasons, such as safety, as long as the change is reasonable for the Member, and tells the Member of it.

If the Member seriously or repeatedly breaks the rules, the Club may, after a warning except where safety requires immediate action, refuse entry or end the membership as the clause on term, renewal and cancellation says.

7. Health declaration

The Member declares that, to the best of their knowledge, they are fit to use the facilities and take part in activities, and that they have told the Club about any health condition, injury, pregnancy or medication that could affect their safety or that of others. Health declaration: [[The Member’s health information, any condition the Club must know about, or none]]

The Member should see a doctor before starting if they are unsure, trains at their own pace, stops if they feel unwell and tells the Club if their health changes.

The Club takes reasonable care of the Member’s safety, provides equipment in safe condition and has staff or first-aid arrangements as stated here: [[Safety and first-aid arrangements]]

The Club does not give medical advice, and nothing in this clause limits the Club’s responsibility under the law that applies.

8. Belongings and lockers

The Member looks after their own belongings. Lockers [[are free of charge / are charged as the price schedule says]]. The Club is not liable for belongings that are lost, stolen or damaged on the premises, except where the Club caused the loss by intent or gross negligence or the law does not allow this limitation.

9. Minors and guests

A guest may use the facilities only with the Club’s permission and, if the Club charges for guests, against the guest fee in the price schedule. The Member is responsible for their guest’s behaviour.

If the Member is under [[18]] years old, or under the age at which they can sign for themselves where they live, a parent or legal guardian also signs this agreement as a further party, confirms that they have the authority to sign for the Member, is responsible for paying the fees and for the Member’s conduct, and agrees to the activities. Parent or guardian: [[Name of the parent or guardian and relationship]]

A minor member may use the facilities [[only with an adult / alone from a stated age / only in the areas stated here]].

10. Changes to the club

The Club may change opening hours, classes, equipment and the layout of the premises, and may close for maintenance, holidays or events, and tells the Member in advance where it can.

If the Club closes for more than [[14]] days in a row, or a change substantially reduces what the Member bought, the Member may end the membership by notice and receive a refund of the fees for the time not used, or have the membership extended by the length of the closure, as the Member chooses.

If the Club closes permanently or moves, it tells the Member at least [[30]] days in advance where practicable and refunds the fees for the time after the closure.

11. Photos and personal data

The Club uses the Member’s contact, payment, attendance, access and health information only to run the membership and for safety, shares it only with people who need it for that purpose, keeps it only as long as needed and handles it as the law that applies to it requires. Health information is handled with particular care. Photos or videos that show the Member are used for promotion only with separate permission. Permission given: [[none / the permission given]]

Security cameras, if any, are used only for [[security and safety]] and are announced at the premises. Where cameras are in use: [[Where cameras are in use, or none]]

12. Liability

Each party is liable under the law that applies. Where the law allows a limitation, the Club’s liability for ordinary negligence is limited to [[the fees paid in the 12 months before the claim]]. This never limits liability for intent, gross negligence or injury to life, body or health caused by the Club’s fault, or any right that the law gives a consumer and that cannot be waived.

The Member accepts the ordinary risks of exercise, which the Club cannot remove, but this does not release the Club from its duty to keep the premises and equipment in safe condition and to take reasonable care.

13. Notices and entire agreement

Notices under this agreement are given in writing or by email to the addresses stated for the parties, or to another address a party has notified.

The Club’s rules and the price schedule form part of this agreement. This contract is the entire agreement between the parties on its subject. Amendments are valid only if both parties agree to them in writing or in electronic form, except for changes to the rules and fees that this agreement allows.

14. Governing law and disputes

This agreement is governed by the law stated under Governing law. The parties will first try to settle any dispute in good faith. Otherwise the courts stated under Jurisdiction decide, unless mandatory law provides otherwise.

Payment terms

The membership fee is paid [[monthly / quarterly / yearly]] in advance, and any joining fee at the start, within [[7]] days of receiving the invoice or on the due date, by [[bank transfer / standing order / direct debit / card]].

Governing law

[[Country or state whose law applies]]

Jurisdiction

[[Courts that decide disputes, e.g. the courts of your city]]