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‘Gym membership must be made cheaper’

11:36am Thursday 4th November 2010 in Beat the Bulge

‘Gym membership must be made cheaper’ ‘Gym membership must be made cheaper’

A GYM owner was today lobbying the Government to make gyms across the county cheaper for members.

Angela Lee, who owns The Ladies Club (TLC) gyms in Southampton and Winchester, was due to hand over a national petition to Downing Street to fight to remove VAT for gym members.

The 49-year-old mum of three who has owned the gym on Commercial Road, Southampton for three years, and her City Road gym in Winchester for two years, wants the Government to make exercise more accessible to everyone by making memberships cheaper which would then alleviate the burden on the NHS. Angela, said: “There is a strong feeling among gym owners that there is a repeated message that people should exercise and get healthier.

“But when we speak to our members they are worried about the increase of VAT on their membership. I also want to be able to attract new members and promote a healthier lifestyle.

If VAT is removed, we can help more people. I will do whatever it takes to make sure my members receive the best prices and service’s possible and get as many people in Southampton, Winchester and beyond fit and healthy.”

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Comments(15)

Walter K says...
11:58am Thu 4 Nov 10

This shouldn't be an issue for Government.How about individual Gym owners including this woman reducing their own costs by 17.5% in order to attract more members?
Vat isn't a barrier to new customers, I would suggest it's a combination of inclination & motivation. The time is coming when my own Gym gets absolutely rammed with new faces in the first week of January only to see them all but disappear by the 2nd week of February!

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Higginz says...
12:00pm Thu 4 Nov 10

Are people really worried about the increase of VAT on their gym memberships? Can't say I've heard any whisperings suggesting this in the corridors of my gym.
Regardless, cheaper gyms mean busier gyms. I'd much rather pay more for membership where I don't have to compete for access to machines.

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juan101 says...
12:02pm Thu 4 Nov 10

With this government Ms Lee has very little chance of success. Osborne has already announced huge cuts to sports funding in general which is short-sighted and will cost more money in the long run as the rate of obesity increases. During the tenure of the Labour government sport was properly funded and the performances of British sportsmen and women was enhanced. We have improved immensely in cycling, swimming, rowing and track and field. Watch performances tail off as the effects of cuts at grass roots level take effect. Mark my words, 2011 will see life becoming very tough for a lot of people. The cuts have yet to bite and I really believe that many have no idea of just how cold this wind of austerity will be. I also don't think Cameron and Osborne themselves have any idea of how their cuts will effect society because they haven't thought things through properly.

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juan101 says...
12:05pm Thu 4 Nov 10

Should be 'affect soicety'.

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juan101 says...
12:06pm Thu 4 Nov 10

No, it should be 'affect society'.

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Jonesy 87 says...
12:12pm Thu 4 Nov 10

Maybe if they just taxed extra on XL clothes sizes and junk food, people would start looking a bit slimmer. Plus more money for the gov and NHS.

...simples ;)

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Shoong says...
12:49pm Thu 4 Nov 10

You could make gyms free - but fat braaaann cakes eaters still aren't going to go!

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News Fanatic says...
12:56pm Thu 4 Nov 10

Lots of businesses could put a good case for their own line to be zero rated. However, we have to pay tax in one short or other.
If VAT on gyms was abolished, I wonder how Ms Lee would prefer the lost revenue was made up. Extra on income tax, on food, on travel, on petrol, on her profits?

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boredofsouthampton says...
1:18pm Thu 4 Nov 10

Think this is cheap publicityfor this gym which is not listed in yellow pages and no google results ! Pure Gym is coming to southampton at less than £20 a month so maybe she should charge the same ! or maybe advertise so she can get clients

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The Big Figure says...
1:55pm Thu 4 Nov 10

How about getting some cheap running gear and going for a run around the local park. I grant you, it's a bit of a chore avoiding the local inbred troublemakers, perv's and dog sh1t, but it's still cheaper.

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GoodnessGraciousMe says...
2:00pm Thu 4 Nov 10

I have to say I don't think the government is the right way to go but gym prices really should come down to make it more accessible. When I was young(er) and fancy free I used to go to the gym every morning before work - I just can't afford the £40.00 odd a month these days - will definitely being checking out Pure Gym tho.

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Stillness says...
2:11pm Thu 4 Nov 10

Running machine = shoes and a pavement. Cycling machine = bike. step machine = flight of stairs. Rowing machine = hire a rowing boat, OK there is a cost to that but at least you get to smell the fresh air and not sweaty groins and arm pits. Ahhhh I see the problem, no mirrors.

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Condor Man says...
3:08pm Thu 4 Nov 10

If VAT is removed on any there would be a benefit I'm sure- but not to the taxpayer in the long term as other taxes would rise.

Gyms are a lifestyle choice, not a necessity.

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StEmmosfire says...
4:22pm Thu 4 Nov 10

Paying £12.99 a month, sounds pretty cheap to me. But some people just want the luxuries of a swimming pool, sauna, steam room etc. Your going to pay for them.

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Hantslad says...
8:12pm Thu 4 Nov 10

To be honest I would rather pay extra, I have tried so called 'cheap' Gyms before, but the people using the equipment made me give it all in. That's my excuse anyway!

I have now purchased my own Treadmill which even tells me my heart rate, not that I know what it means but it looks rather fancy, I have a few weights and I walk several miles per day.

I think I'm happy with that as I still have a 30 inch waist at 37!

I can just see the blubber crowd queing up right now to join this Gym, I just wonder if they'll make a claim to benefits to pay for it under The Human Rights Act.

Time will tell.

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