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Bally Total Fitness Lifetime Membership Class Action Lawsuit
By Matt O’Donnell
Bally Total Fitness has been hit with a federal class action lawsuit accusing it of depriving lifetime members of gym privileges by selling their memberships to LA Fitness, and in one case, telling a member he had to drive 5 hours to use his membership.The Bally Total Fitness class action lawsuit is accusing the company of Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices for selling many of its life-time memberships and many of its clubs to LA Fitness, who is also a defendant in the case.
The problem, the class action lawsuit argues, it that there are geographic areas in the U.S. that do not have LA Fitness clubs, and Bally clubs that are in full operation no will no longer honor the membership contract.
“For other potential plaintiffs throughout the U.S., there are no LA Fitness facilities nearby at which they can workout. For others, Bally did not assign their contract to LA Fitness, but did sell all of the Ballys in their geographic area to LA Fitness,” the class action lawsuit states.
The lead Plaintiff in the case, who lives in the Chicago area, was told by Bally that he can workout, but that he must do so in a St. Louis, Missouri, Bally club.
In other cases, the class action lawsuit continues, there is a LA Fitness facility nearby, but LA Fitness will not allow access to the club by former Bally members unless they buy a new membership.
The class action lawsuit is brought on behalf of all persons who own or did own a Bally lifetime membership. It is seeking compensatory damages, including statutory damages, and a Court order permanent restraining Bally and LA Fitness from not honoring Bally’s lifetime memberships.
A copy of the Bally Total Fitness Lifetime Membership Class Action Lawsuit can be read here.
The case is Juan Dorado, et al. v. Bally Total Fitness Holdings Corp. and LA Fitness International, LLC, Case No. 12-cv-137, U.S. District Court, Northern Illinois, Eastern Division.
Updated January 13th, 2012
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106 thoughts onBally Total Fitness Lifetime Membership Class Action Lawsuit
I bought a lifetime membership many years ago and now they are denying me entry to the Ballys that I have been going to for many years.
Can someone please help me?
I want to be included in this class action suit. I purchased a lifetime premier membership from Holiday Spa. When Bally’s took over Holiday they transferred me to a gold membership, which I used for many years, paying a low annual membership fee. When sold to LA Fitness, since there are no LA Fitness in the SF Bay Area, I was told by the manager of the Bally’s I went to that they would still honor my membership there, but I needed to sign up and would be contacted by Bally’s. Haven’t heard a word and that was months ago. I want my lifetime membership honored somewhere convenient.
How do I get in on this and recoup my loss from the jack la lane of old?
I have a lifetime memberships that was transferred to me in 2005 in Florida. I have only used the Ballys locations in Tampa area but since LA Fitness has taken them over. To make matters worst, Ballys then assigned my membership to a company named Blast! out of Cudahy, WI, who is sending me renewal notices. There are no Blasts in Florida.
Anytime I am able to talk to a person, they offer to let me cancel or join this Blast!. I’ve really been screwed by Ballys
I bought my membership back in 2001 in Colorado and have since moved to Dallas. Up until today (2012-07-04) I have been going to the gym completely unaware of the buyout. Today I arrived at the guy and they were taking down the “Bally’s” sign? I go in and find out that they are now “Blast” fitness and even though they are the same people behind the desk they said they that they will not honer my Bally’s membership. I was just there yesterday and today I cannot go in! I received no emails no letters and what pisses me off the most I was not given a choice! The fact is Bally’s / LA Fitness / Blast Fitness should all honor the Bally’s contract since they bought them. Now I have a paid membership and there is no place to go? Sign me up for this Class Action Lawsuit!
i never mised a payment.
Bought a lifetime membership to Bally’s in 1983! Supposedly the rates would never increase. Well they did (supposedly for electricity/water rates). I called Balley’s every year when it increased excessively. I paid $89 a year – now LA Fitness wants $228 a year. LA Fitness told me I had to work it out with Balley’s – Balley’s is doing nothing to honor their contact. I have records showing their charges, etc. and said LA Fitness can charge me based on what I SHOULD be paying. I’m in for the Class Action Lawsuit!
Member with our you since 1983 pre-mayor plus lifetime membership
I’ve had a lifetime membership since 87. I transferred it to my sister in December of ’11. Now, LA Fitness will not give her an LA Fitness membership unless she pays $100 transfer fee. Under our contract with Bally, there was to be NO TRANSFER FEE for the first transfer of the membership. This too equates to breach of contract. I never received written notification that the terms of my contract would change when LA Fitness took over!!
I got a Premier Membership. It’s a three year contract and then it will be $19/month. One of the benefit of it is the Membership is transferable. I called Bally’s beginning month of March this year and they mentioned that since LA fitness bought out Ballys, that particular benefit is no longer valid. I’ve been reading Class Action Lawsuits against LA Fitness for not honoring Lifetime Membership but in my situation, do I have a case?
I only learned recently that the Penta Club in NYC, now known as WorkOutNewYork, will not honor the Ballys Lifetime Premier fitness. Futile to try to find the new owner, or even get the name. Anyone here staying on top of Class Action Suit? Has there been any progress?
A blatant disregard for long term customer loyalty. I purchased two lifetime memberships in 1992 costing around 4500+? plus have paid dues over the years. I had to put a hold on my membership w/ Ballys due to medical reasons and now that I want to recommit I come upon a brick wall. Neither Bally’s or La Fitness is any help and have been getting the run around from them for the last week. I have a contract that Both Company s broke. Either pay me my money back or honor my contract.
HI I BOUGHT MY MEMBERSHHIP IN1986 AND IT WAS A GOLD MEMBERSHIP. IT WAS $1500.00 AND THEN THE $ 25.00 A YEAR. BALLY HAS BEEN STICKING IT TO US AS OF DAY ONE. WHEN THEY BOUGHT IT FROM SCANDINAVIAN. WHAT MAKES ME MAD THEY
JUST TOOK MY MONEY ON 12/01/2011 , I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE ALL MY MONEY BACK ,PLUS THE
$ 25.00 A YEAR THAT = $650 DOLLARS . I HAVE A CONTRACT THAT BALLYS AND LA FITNESS BROKE.
WHEN BALLYS BOUGHT IT FROM SCANDINAVIAN THEY DID AWAY WITH THE FREE CLEAN TOWELS , SUN TANING, AND MORE. I HOPE TO HERE FROM SOME ONE. THANKS THOMAS ROGERS.