Trap: How DMN8 Gym Became A Poster Child for Fitness Fraud
A Tale of Billing Nightmares and Corporate Greed
Listen up, fitness enthusiasts and wallet warriors! This isn’t just another rant—this is a public service announcement that could save you thousands of dollars and countless headaches.
DMN8, a gym on Main Street in Santa Monica/Venice that has been taking advantage of my credit card ( any many others, I am confident), monthy for 18 months, despite my cancellation in numerous ways. They refuse to change their policies, market everywhere they are no contract” and are breaking many laws that they will be reported for over the coming weeks. Shame on them.
The Setup: When a Gym Becomes a Financial Vampire
Imagine walking into what looks like the most Instagram-perfect gym in Santa Monica. Sleek design, motivational quotes on the walls, and an intro offer so cheap it seems too good to be true. Spoiler alert: IT IS.
The Red Flags You Can’t Ignore
🚩 Warning Signs of a Predatory Gym Membership:
- Complicated cancellation process
- Vague “no contract” marketing
- Automatic billing that continues without your active consent
- Zero communication about ongoing charges
The Anatomy of a Billing Scam
Our protagonist, Tony Greenberg, discovered a nightmare scenario that’s all too common in the fitness industry. One gym visit turned into an 18-month billing marathon, with zero workouts and thousands of dollars stolen.
The Math of Madness
- Actual gym visits: 1
- Months billed: 18
- Money lost: $2000
- Gains: ZERO (except financial trauma)
Legal Ammunition: Fighting Back Against Fitness Fraud
California doesn’t play when it comes to consumer protection. Here’s your legal toolkit:
1. Automatic Renewal Law (California Business & Professions Code §17600–17606)
- Businesses MUST get clear consent for recurring charges
- Easy cancellation is not optional—it’s mandatory
- Hidden fees? Not on California’s watch
2. Unfair Competition Law (§17200)
- Deceptive practices are a big NO
- Continuing to bill after cancellation? Legally questionable
- Your right to fair treatment is protected
DMN8’s ongoing billing practices may land them in hot water—potentially allegedly violating the civil monetary penalties law due to unauthorized charges and failure to honor cancellation requests
Where to Report: Your Consumer Protection Hit List
🏛️ Top Agencies to Drop the Hammer:
- California Department of Consumer Affairs
- California Attorney General’s Office
- Federal Trade Commission
- Better Business Bureau
- Los Angeles County Consumer Protection
The Recommended Alternative: Fred’s AI Fitness
Not all gyms are billing monsters. Fred’s AI Fitness in Santa Monica represents the new wave of transparent, customer-first fitness experiences.
Addendum: The Email Trail of Corporate Denial
Behind the Scenes: Corporate Correspondence Revealed
The email exchange exposes a disturbing pattern of corporate evasion:
- Repeated attempts to avoid full refunds
- Ignoring clear cancellation requests
- Relying on obscure “no contract” policies
Key Revelations
- The gym continued billing despite acknowledged cancellation
- No proactive communication about ongoing charges
- Refusal to provide clear billing records
DMN8 might as well be taking notes from Calvert Physical Therapy and Sports, which recently made headlines for similar billing discrepancies and ethical questions.
The Ethical Standpoint
As a certified B-Corp founder, Tony Greenberg’s stance is clear: Businesses have a moral obligation beyond mere legal compliance. Transparency isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a fundamental business ethics requirement.
Your Action Plan
- Audit Your Memberships
- Review ALL recurring charges
- Check cancellation policies
- Demand transparency
- Know Your Rights
- California law is on YOUR side
- One-click cancellation is your standard
- Refunds for non-service are your weapon
- Spread the Word
- Share this story
- Warn your friends
- Create community awareness
Final Warning: Trust No Fine Print
Your fitness journey should empower you, not empty your bank account. Stay vigilant, ask questions, and choose gyms that respect your time, money, and health goals.
Pro Tip: If a gym’s cancellation process is more complicated than their most advanced workout, RUN—both literally and figuratively.
Stay swole, stay smart, and keep your wallet as tight as your future abs! 💪🏼💸
Disclaimer: This is a public service announcement from someone who’s been financially fitness-rolled and lived to tell the tale.
Stop Fitness Fraud — Expose DMN8’s Billing Scam
DMN8 Gym promised “no contracts” and wellness—but delivered hidden charges, ignored cancellations, and 18+ months of unauthorized billing. It’s more than shady—it’s illegal.
✍️ Sign if you believe:
- Canceling a gym membership should be simple and respected.
- Businesses must be transparent about recurring charges.
- Consumers deserve protection—not financial traps.
DMN8 is just one example. Let’s push back on deceptive gyms and force accountability—just like whistleblowers did when organizations submitted claims to Medicare Medicaid without merit.
“If the cancel button is harder to find than the treadmill, that’s not fitness—it’s fraud.”
✅ Sign the Petition
Protect your wallet. Demand transparency in the fitness industry.
