Criticisms
In 2005, a federal Competition Bureau investigation found that GoodLife Fitness clubs had published misleading ads. In a settlement, Goodlife Fitness published a corrective notice in newspapers throughout central Canada and on its website, paying a $75,000 CAD penalty and agreeing not to make false/misleading representations in future marketing.[14]
In January 2011, GoodLife Fitness came in second place in the CBC Big Gym Ripoff survey ranking gyms with the most problems with over-billing and cancellations.[15]
In January 2011, GoodLife Fitness was caught in a media backlash,[16][17][18] after one customer who was attempting to cancel his membership was allegedly 'roughed-up' by security guards at its Rideau Centre location;[19] And after another, at its Orleans location, was chastised and banned for chatting about the benefits of other fitness clubs.[20] The incidents drew attention to strong armed-sales tactics reported by employees and clients.[17]
In 2011, GoodLife Fitness was fined $300,000 for illegally using automated calling devices, known as robocalls, to contact its members, without their prior consent, to advertise the opening of a new club. As part of a settlement with the CRTC, Goodlife Fitness published notices about the violation in newspapers and on its website.[21]
In October 2016, a class action lawsuit was launched against Goodlife Fitness alleging that it had failed to pay certain employees of its Ontario gyms some of the wages they were owed under Ontario law. The members of the proposed class would have included all non-managerial employees for a period beginning October 14, 2014. In July 2018, the court approved a $7.5 million settlement of the proposed class action.[22]
