A Review of Prepaid Consumption Policies in China's Fitness Industry

The implementation of the "Fit for Life" concept is not only related to individual physical and mental well-being and the stable development of society but also represents a critical issue for the welfare of all humanity. The Chinese government is committed to realizing this ambitious vision through the "Healthy China" initiative, with national fitness serving as a key component of this plan. In the context of expanding demand within the fitness consumption market, the Chinese fitness industry is in urgent need of high-standard development. However, despite strong national policy support, consumer disputes remains common, such as difficulties with prepaid card refunds, unfulfilled sessions due to frequent changes in personal trainers, and challenges in obtaining refunds after gym or business closures, which may be linked to the widespread use of prepaid consumption as the primary payment method. This paper examines the regulatory framework governing prepaid consumption in China's fitness industry, employing a policy review and comparative analysis to explore local legislation across four representative regions selected for their economic significance, policy orientation, and geographical diversity. The study examines both preventive and remedial measures, revealing that while there are regional variations in the stringency of regulations, local legislation generally provides clear and comprehensive guidelines on the definition of prepaid consumption, their scope, card issuance procedures, and liability for compensation. To address common challenges such as standard-form contracts, some regions have introduced region-specific measures, including model contract templates, which have positively influenced the regulation of prepaid consumption in the fitness industry. By systematically reviewing relevant policy frameworks, this study compares their varying impacts on the fitness consumption industry. It further aims to strengthen regulatory support by improving risk prevention and enforcement efficiency for policymakers, while helping business stakeholders enhance operational stability and manage compliance costs more effectively.