A recent question:
“If I file Chapter 7 bankruptcy, will I have to cancel my gym membership or personal training?”
Short answer:
Not automatically — but it depends on your budget and the contract.
Let’s break it down.
📌 Bankruptcy Doesn’t Ban You from the Gym
There is no rule in the Bankruptcy Code that says you cannot have:
- A gym membership
- A personal trainer
- Fitness expenses
- Health-related subscriptions
Bankruptcy is about eliminating overwhelming debt — not eliminating normal life.
The issue isn’t whether you’re “allowed” to work out.
The issue is whether the expense is reasonable given your financial situation.
💰 Chapter 7 Looks at Your Budget
In Chapter 7, you must disclose:
- Your income
- Your monthly expenses
If you have a gym membership or personal training expense, it will be listed in your Schedule J (monthly expenses).
The trustee may review whether:
- The expense is modest and reasonable
- Your income supports it
- It appears excessive compared to your financial condition
A $30–$60/month gym membership is rarely an issue.
A $600/month elite personal training contract may raise questions.
📄 What If I Signed a Long-Term Contract?
Gym memberships and personal training agreements are often considered executory contracts in bankruptcy.
In Chapter 7, you typically have two options:
1️⃣ Assume the contract (keep it and continue paying)
2️⃣ Reject the contract (cancel it and discharge any remaining obligation)
If you want to keep the membership, you usually just continue paying and do not seek to discharge it.
If you want out of the contract, bankruptcy can often eliminate the remaining obligation.
⚖️ Will the Trustee Force Me to Cancel It?
Trustees do not usually micromanage modest lifestyle expenses.
However, if:
- Your income barely covers necessities
- You are claiming hardship
- Your expenses exceed your income
- Or you are trying to pass the means test
A large discretionary expense could become part of the discussion.
It’s rarely about punishment — it’s about financial realism.
🏥 What If It’s Medically Necessary?
If personal training or a gym membership is:
- Recommended for a medical condition
- Part of physical therapy
- Necessary for mental health stability
That strengthens the reasonableness of the expense.
Health-related expenses are treated differently than luxury spending.
🧠 The Bigger Question: What Can You Afford?
Chapter 7 eliminates debt so you can stabilize financially.
If a gym membership is:
✔ Affordable
✔ Modest
✔ Important to your health
It is usually not a problem.
If it’s a high-cost luxury service while unsecured creditors go unpaid, that’s where scrutiny increases.
📌 The Bottom Line
Filing Chapter 7 does not automatically require you to cancel your gym membership or personal training.
The key factors are:
- Reasonableness
- Affordability
- Contract terms
- Full disclosure
Bankruptcy is meant to give you a fresh start — not prevent you from taking care of your health.
If you’re unsure, review your specific expenses with your bankruptcy attorney before filing. A little planning can avoid unnecessary issue
