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Aspire Fitness closes without telling members or employees

Aspire Fitness, which shut down without warning in September, has an "F" rating with the Better Business Bureau.
Credit: KUSA

KUSA — Aspire Fitness in Westminster unexpectedly closed, leaving members and employees wondering what's going to happen to their money.

Laura Weinrauch, Aspire member, found out Aspire Fitness was closed on September 25 when she noticed a sign on the door.

The sign reads: “Aspire Fitness has closed, please contact Aspire for further information.”

“But they do not provide any contact information to get a hold of Aspire,” explained Weinrauch. She says she's frustrated by the lack of communication.

A few days after spotting the closure sign, Weinrauch received the following email.

Valued Customers,

Due to Aspire Fitness downsizing in the Colorado Market the Westminster store is permanently closed and there will be no further billing.

Any additional questions about your account, please contact the support email listed below.

aspirewestminster1.ops@gmail.com.

Thanks,

Management

The problem for Weinrauch is that she paid for a full year's membership up front more than 10 weeks ago.

“I paid $209 for the year,” she said. Aspire still owes her about $169.

The uncertainty doesn’t stop with the gym members.

Michael Madrid worked for Aspire for two months and by his calculation, the gym owes him $400 to $450.

“I didn’t get paid for three weeks of work,” he said.

Amairani Acosta worked at Aspire for almost a year and claims the gym owes her $600.

Both Madrid and Acosta said they saw red flags a few days before the closure.

“We ran out of trash bags, paper towels and things of that nature,” he said. “That’s when I was like, that’s probably not a good sign.”

Acosta said the gym never confirmed they weren’t going to have a job anymore.

“They’re just running, hiding and not answering anybody’s phone calls,” Madrid said.

9NEWS reached out to Aspire corporate and asked about the employee checks and membership dues. Here’s their response:

All Aspire Fitness memberships to closed facilities have been cancelled. Mass emails have been sent out to all members with emails on file confirming cancellations. Additionally, a customer service email and phone number has been provided for any member issues. Due to the high volume of calls we advise members to email for a prompt response to any concerns.

Thanks,

Aspire Fitness Management

9NEWS also asked Aspire what specific steps employees and customers can take to get their money back. Here’s their response:

- All final employee checks will be mailed to address on file.

- All former members with issues can contact the corporate line or email.

9NEWS called the corporate number and a company representative said to fully cancel a membership, the customer must physically sign a document.

The Better Business Bureau advises former members to double-checking their membership has been canceled before they get surprised with another month's fee.

Aspire Fitness has an “F” rating with the Better Business Bureau. According to the BBB, there are a total of 68 complaints against the gym. The gym hasn't responded to 42 of those complaints.

LEARN MORE | File a complaint through BBB

If Aspire continues to reject calls, the BBB said former members can also file a complaint with Colorado's Attorney General’s office.

LEARN MORE | File a complaint The Office of Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Section

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