AK Vienna gets one million euros back from gyms - so customers were rewarded!

AK Vienna gets one million euros back from gyms - so customers were rewarded!

The Chamber of Labor (AK) Vienna has achieved a reimbursement of one million euros for over 20,000 fitness customers in a groundbreaking legal case. This is the result of a collection campaign that was directed against illegally raised additional fees in gym, including registration fees and chip costs. As early as 2022, the AK had sued large gym operators such as Fitinn and Cleverfit for damages and obtained from the Supreme Court (OGH).

A total of 30 association lawsuits against various gym operators were submitted to take action against the illegal claims. Gabriele Zgubic, head of the AK consumer: domestic policy, explained that in addition to the monthly membership fees, service flat rates as well as one-off fees for access and activation were requested. These illegal fees were finally successfully challenged, and the AK demanded the repayment of the amounts concerned. In 2023 the AK started a collection campaign, which has now been completed and in which a total of one million euros was repaid to consumers, such as oe24.at reports .

rights of consumers enforced

The reimbursement was not without hurdles, because the fitness centers were different in their cooperation. Zgubic emphasizes that the AK remained persistent to enforce the rights of customers. "Additional fees can usually no longer be offset," said Zgubic. An additional fee can only be collected if special services are provided that are not included in the contract offer by default. This includes, for example, a beverageabo or the use of sauna and wellness, for which customers have to expressly agree.

The work of the AK is an impressive example of how the rights of consumers are used to avoid unjustified costs. The decision of the OGH and the subsequent collection campaign clearly show that the AK is actively defending the interests of consumers - for example for the four million employees in Austria. This success story is of great importance for all fitness customers, such as .