That is according to a survey carried out by comparison site Finder, which found just 40 per cent of those people with gym memberships would use them twice a week or more.
Finder's personal finance specialist Taylor Blackburn said letting a gym membership sit there idly was setting money on fire.
“The average gym membership is about $780 a year, about $65 a month - if you’re not going about more than once a week, you’re not really getting good value,” he said.
“If you’re going once a month you’re not getting good value to go in and use the machines. If you are one of the people that’s not using the membership that much, there’s some other options for you.”
Aquamoves’ active living manager David Booth said the findings confirmed what he had seen in the industry, but suggested fitness centres had a responsibility to keep customers engaged.
“Historically, that's not an uncommon account of the industry,” he said.
“Lots of people sign up, and either they don't follow up and come in, or the gym doesn't follow up either - if the member isn't coming in, they can just not wonder why, and gratefully accept the money for nothing.
“The reality is from a business perspective, speaking generally, not chasing up people who are prepared to pay and not use the service is a business model.”
Mr Booth said Aquamoves made sure to not go down that avenue, with its COVID-19 response showing it prioritised the health and wellbeing - both physical and financial - of its patrons.
“We immediately suspended all memberships where some in the industry didn't, instead waiting for people to ring up and enquire about it. We've put on a COVID service for no cost with online content,” he said.
“More recently health and fitness centres have been reactivating memberships on bulk at the earliest possible opportunity, where we've taken the path to engage with our members and encourage them to reactivate.
“We aim for lots more engagement with our members, which I'd like to think is a more respectful way of doing business.”
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