Oh no! True Fitness and True Spa centres in Malaysia have ceased operations starting today (Saturday, 10th June).
The fitness franchise, which has been operating in the country for the past 12 years, took to its website to announce the news. It said that the closure is due to financial viability.
In a statement, the company explained, “The past few years have proved challenging and unfortunately the businesses are no longer financially viable due to evolving market conditions.”
So what will happen to True Fitness members?
While the fitness centre said that they are unable to refund in cash the unused portions of the members’ membership months or personal training sessions, arrangements have been made for members to continue their fitness regime at Chi Fitness.
“True Fitness members in Malaysia will have access to all Chi clubs except those located in Bangsar, Bangsar South (Nexus) and the Northern Clubs. Under the arrangement, True Fitness has purchased memberships for members to redeem and personal training sessions to be utilised at Chi Fitness,” shared the company.
Redemptions can be completed online and the fitness franchise will be sharing further details on the mechanics for redemption at a later date. More details can be found on their official website at chi-fitness.com.
“The validity of these redemptions for membership months and personal training will be for 24 months from 3rd July 2017 or until all membership months and personal training sessions have been utilised,” it said.
The company also elaborated that True Spa is finding a reputable service provider for members to continue their unused sessions.
“We will be getting in touch with our affected members when we have more details. We apologise for any inconveniences caused as a result of the closure of the clubs and would like to thank you for your past support,” said True Fitness.
You can read True Fitness’ full statement at www.truefitness.com.my.
In other news, True Fitness had also closed its operations in Thailand and it was understood that members were not informed of the closure prior to the announcement.
UPDATE (13th June, 10:30am):
Contrary to popular belief, CHi Fitness claimed that an agreement with True Fitness Malaysia has not been made yet.
In a Facebook statement, CHi Fitness said, “In light of the recent True Fitness closure, we would like to clarify that we have no contract or arrangement to honour or takeover any commitment from True Fitness.
“True Fitness has approached CHi Fitness to purchase 2,000 monthly passes to CHi gyms in Klang Valley (except Nexus and Bangsar Shopping Center branches) to be passed on to their members. As of now, we have not finalised the sale.”
However, The Star reported that True Fitness has asked to purchase 20,000 one-month membership passes (instead of the aforementioned 2,000) from CHi Fitness.
Ashley Paulus, operations director of CHi Fitness, said, “We were never approached or offered to take over their membership, their database or to honour any of the lifetime memberships with True Fitness.” She also added that CHi Fitness only have control over providing month-to-month memberships.
Sources: CHi Fitness’ Facebook page, The Star.
