The Attorney General's Health Club Unit
Consumer Protection Division, Office of the Attorney General
200 St. Paul Place, Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 576-6350 / Fax: (410) 576-6566
E-mail: healthclub@oag.state.md.us

Under Maryland law, businesses that sell health club services (health clubs and gyms, weight loss centers, and self defense schools) must register with the Consumer Protection Division, except for certain nonprofit, government and academic facilities. Any club that collects more than three months' fees in advance or more than $200 in initiation fees must be bonded with the Consumer Protection Division. If the club closes, members may make a claim on the bond to get back some of the money they paid for services they didn't receive.