Beshear: Action Taken Against Several Kentucky Fitness Centers

Attorney General Andy Beshear announced this week that his office is better protecting Kentuckians by holding several fitness centers in Kentucky accountable for failing to properly register with his office.

By law, fitness centers or gyms, spelled out in statute as “health spas,” are required to file an annual registration statement with the Office of the Attorney General, and post a bond, if they charge an initiation fee or have pre-paid memberships. Each bond amount is based on the number of memberships.

“Our regulatory oversight of fitness centers is important because they are located in almost every community across the state and often operate off of long-term membership fees,” Beshear said. “While the majority of fitness centers follow the law, there are those my office must seek civil penalties against for violating regulations.”

Beshear said the requirement for fitness centers to register with his office is critical to ensure that they do not just collect money for long-term memberships and then close shop.

In an effort to obtain better compliance with the majority of their Kentucky locations, Beshear said his office corresponds with all of the corporate headquarters of the fitness club franchises.

Beshear’s office has recently taken action against fitness center in the following cities:

• Frankfort: Beshear’s office filed a complaint in February 2016 against Active Fitness 24/7 for failure to register and post a bond for one year. Summary judgment was entered in Franklin Circuit Court (16-CI-221) for a $2,000 civil penalty and $2,281 in litigation costs. Beshear’s office is attempting to collect on the judgment.
• Hodgenville: Beshear’s office filed a complaint in February 2016 against Life Unlimited Investments d/b/a SNAP Fitness for failure to register and post a bond for registration for three years. A consent judgment has been entered for $3,000 in Franklin Circuit Court (16-CI-218).
• Louisville: Beshear’s office filed a complaint in November 2016 against No Limit Fitness for the failure to register for two years. Civil penalties are being sought in the case in Franklin Circuit Court (16-CI-1250).
• Versailles: Beshear’s office filed a complaint in July 2016 against SNAP Fitness for failure to register and post bond for three years. Civil penalties are being sought in the case in Franklin Circuit Court (16-CI-809).

The Office of the Attorney General anticipates taking legal action against five more fitness centers before July 1.

Kentuckians may call Beshear’s office at 502-696-5300 to inquire if their fitness center is registered, or complete a complaint form online if they are having problems with their fitness center.

Besides fitness centers, Beshear’s office oversees cemeteries, funeral homes, crematories, professional solicitors, debt adjusters, fundraising consultants and charitable organizations.