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Home > Finance > Polish watchdog probes Benefit Systems over misleading membership offers

Polish watchdog probes Benefit Systems over misleading membership offers

Published by Global Banking and Finance Review

Posted on January 21, 2026

2 min read

Last updated: January 21, 2026

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Tags:customers compliance financial services insurance Business Banking

Quick Summary

Poland's UOKiK is probing Benefit Systems for misleading gym membership offers, focusing on automatic renewals and unclear terms.

Polish Authorities Investigate Benefit Systems for Misleading Offers

UOKiK's Investigation into Benefit Systems

GDANSK, Poland, Jan 21 (Reuters) - Poland's competition and consumer protection office (UOKiK) is probing whether fitness club operator Benefit Systems misled customers when promoting and renewing its gym memberships, the watchdog said on Wednesday.

Allegations of Misleading Practices

UOKiK alleges the company failed to clearly inform clients that promotional offers were fixed-term 12-month contracts and automatically extended them without proper consent, using potentially illegal clauses.

Potential Consequences for Benefit Systems

Benefit Systems manages a national network of fitness clubs under brands including Zdrofit, Fabryka Formy and My Fitness Place.

Other Fitness Chains Under Scrutiny

If the allegations are confirmed, it could be fined up to 10% of its annual turnover for each of the contested practices.

Benefit Systems could not be immediately reached for comment.

"If an entrepreneur focuses only on attractive elements of the offer ... and hides significant limitations ... it violates not only consumer trust but also the law," UOKiK President Tomasz Chrostny said in a statement.

The watchdog said marketing for some offers highlighted low initial prices but hid the full length and total cost of the commitment, which were not clearly visible during the online purchase process.

UOKiK also questioned the practice of sending emails informing clients their fixed-term passes were expiring, only to then automatically renew the contracts and continue charging fees.

The office has also launched probes into two other fitness chains, CityFit and WellFitness, to examine how they inform clients about contract terms, it said.

(Reporting by Marta Maciag, editing by Milla Nissi-Prussak)

Key Takeaways

•UOKiK is investigating Benefit Systems for misleading gym membership promotions.
•The company allegedly used unclear terms for automatic contract renewals.
•Potential fines could reach 10% of annual turnover for each violation.
•Other fitness chains, CityFit and WellFitness, are also under scrutiny.
•UOKiK emphasizes the importance of clear consumer information.

Frequently Asked Questions about Polish watchdog probes Benefit Systems over misleading membership offers

1What is UOKiK?

UOKiK is the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection in Poland, responsible for enforcing consumer rights and ensuring fair competition in the market.

2What are promotional offers?

Promotional offers are marketing strategies used by businesses to attract customers, often involving discounts or special terms for a limited time.

3What is a fixed-term contract?

A fixed-term contract is an agreement that lasts for a specified period, after which it may automatically renew unless canceled by one of the parties.

4What is consumer trust?

Consumer trust refers to the confidence that customers have in a company's ability to deliver quality products and services, and to act in their best interests.

5What are misleading practices?

Misleading practices involve providing false or deceptive information to consumers, which can lead to incorrect assumptions about a product or service.

UOKiK's Investigation into Benefit Systems

Allegations of Misleading Practices

Potential Consequences for Benefit Systems

Benefit Systems manages a national network of fitness clubs under brands including Zdrofit, Fabryka Formy and My Fitness Place.

Other Fitness Chains Under Scrutiny

If the allegations are confirmed, it could be fined up to 10% of its annual turnover for each of the contested practices.

Benefit Systems could not be immediately reached for comment.

The watchdog said marketing for some offers highlighted low initial prices but hid the full length and total cost of the commitment, which were not clearly visible during the online purchase process.

UOKiK also questioned the practice of sending emails informing clients their fixed-term passes were expiring, only to then automatically renew the contracts and continue charging fees.

The office has also launched probes into two other fitness chains, CityFit and WellFitness, to examine how they inform clients about contract terms, it said.

(Reporting by Marta Maciag, editing by Milla Nissi-Prussak)

Key Takeaways

•UOKiK is investigating Benefit Systems for misleading gym membership promotions.

•The company allegedly used unclear terms for automatic contract renewals.

•Potential fines could reach 10% of annual turnover for each violation.

•Other fitness chains, CityFit and WellFitness, are also under scrutiny.

•UOKiK emphasizes the importance of clear consumer information.

Frequently Asked Questions

1What is UOKiK?

UOKiK is the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection in Poland, responsible for enforcing consumer rights and ensuring fair competition in the market.

2What are promotional offers?

Promotional offers are marketing strategies used by businesses to attract customers, often involving discounts or special terms for a limited time.

3What is a fixed-term contract?

A fixed-term contract is an agreement that lasts for a specified period, after which it may automatically renew unless canceled by one of the parties.

4What is consumer trust?

Consumer trust refers to the confidence that customers have in a company's ability to deliver quality products and services, and to act in their best interests.

5What are misleading practices?

Misleading practices involve providing false or deceptive information to consumers, which can lead to incorrect assumptions about a product or service.