A regular gym-goer identified only as Jin was handed what seemed like a golden opportunity. A salesperson from Ranyan Gym offered him a “special deal”: buy a one‑year gym membership for 8,888 yuan, and the gym would resell it to someone else for 16,666 yuan, keeping a mere 10% as profit and passing the rest back to Jin. If the membership wasn’t sold within two months, the gym would refund the full amount. Tempting, right?
Falling for the Pitch
Initially cautious, Jin took the plunge. Over the span from May 10 to July 9, 2025, he ended up signing 26 contracts, spending a staggering 871,273 yuan (around US$120,000) on a bundle of membership cards and private lessons, amassing a cumulative validity of 300 years.
When the Refund Promise Disappeared
By mid‑July, those promised resale profits didn’t materialise. Staff members blamed “finance reviews” and stalled Jin’s payout. Then, by the end of July, the salesperson, manager, and gym owner had all vanished, disappearing without a trace. The gym continued to operate, but only with administrative staff and receptionists.
To make matters worse, Jin discovered the contracts he’d signed didn’t mention any of the promised profits, or the possibility of reselling. Instead, they stated the memberships were non‑transferable. Feeling “brainwashed,” Jin realised he’d been duped, even though he initially saw the arrangement as “a commitment to health,” not a literal plan to use the membership for three centuries.
Turning to Authorities
Following the disappearance of the gym’s management, Jin filed a police report and launched a lawsuit. But legal experts warn the road may be tough, especially with missing management and contracts that offer no protection.
This bizarre saga has gone vira, drawing both empathy and snark online, with many laughing at the notion of a 300‑year gym membership and calling it a wild warning about trusting dodgy deals.
