Recently, fitness giant Beachbody, famous for its pre-packaged health shakes and intense workout videos, faced a hefty $3.6 million fine for charging customers without their consent. A judge in Santa Monica’s Superior Court ruled that the company had enrolled customers in autopay programs without their knowledge, leading to a significant financial penalty.
In light of this ruling, Beachbody is now required to be more transparent with its renewal terms, provide customers with a consent checkbox, facilitate easy cancellations, and issue reminders for upcoming renewals. These changes weren’t made voluntarily but are now mandatory.
When a friend informed me about the court’s decision, I felt a wave of relief wash over me. I, too, had fallen victim to the Beachbody autopay trap, and my frustration was still fresh.
About a year ago, I was determined to shed a few stubborn pounds and thought Beachbody might provide the fresh approach I needed. Everyone around me was raving about their “coaches” and the transformative Beachbody workouts, so I took the plunge.
As I read about programs like P90X and PiYo, I thought they sounded like video games for teens, but I was intrigued. The people in the promotional exercise videos looked fit and happy—not at all like they were starving on a diet of lemons and cayenne pepper. Their website claimed users were losing weight faster than water flows over Niagara Falls, and their ready-made shakes seemed perfect for my hectic lifestyle as a working mom. One shake a day along with a fun workout? Count me in!
I eagerly ordered the PiYo videos and shake powder, but the process was far from simple. I soon discovered that Beachbody operates as a multilevel marketing company, relying on sales reps to build their network. Ugh.
But the shakes were my beacon of hope! I was ready for those superfoods! After finding a “coach,” I explained my desires: just a month’s supply of Shakeology powder and the PiYo DVDs. That’s it. I wanted to ease into this new Beachbody life.
Naturally, my coach was thrilled that I chose to join her “beach party.” She attempted to upsell me on every product, and even suggested I become a coach myself to recruit friends. No, thanks! Just give me the shakes and let me work out in peace, okay, Jenna?
Despite my discomfort with her sales tactics, I accepted and awaited my Beachbody package. Once it arrived, I committed to the workout schedule and incorporated the shakes into my daily routine, telling myself I was on the path to being fit AF—even if the shakes tasted like chalky mushrooms.
My enthusiasm lasted about ten days, until my body revolted against the shakes. So. Much. Diarrhea. It’s hard to do pilates when you’re worried about losing your lunch with every stretch. Shakeology was a total bust, and my fitness journey was over before it began.
To avoid upsetting my overly eager coach, I dodged her incessant messages about my progress and product promotions. I wanted to forget the whole Beachbody fiasco, and more importantly, stop the digestive disaster. But unbeknownst to me, my coach had signed me up for the autopay option. The next month, my credit card was charged double the introductory rate, and more products showed up at my door—without my approval.
Things only got worse. My once-enthusiastic coach had vanished and I couldn’t get any answers about stopping the payments. After hours of searching, I finally connected with a Beachbody representative who scolded me for wanting to give up my transformation journey. After expressing my feelings quite clearly, she agreed to help me cancel the autopay—but only if I signed an affidavit promising not to buy their products for six months and relinquishing my right to become a Beachbody coach for a year.
You can imagine my devastation—oh wait, you can’t because it was more like relief. By holding Beachbody accountable for their sneaky tactics, the California ruling sends a clear message to other multilevel marketing companies using questionable methods to lure customers into continuous purchases. Furthermore, the ruling mandates that Beachbody provide scientific evidence for their health claims. Credit where it’s due, they seem willing to implement the necessary changes for their 23 million customers to enjoy greater transparency when buying or promoting their products.
This situation serves as a cautionary tale—if you’re considering a fitness program like Beachbody, do your homework first!
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In summary, my experience with Beachbody was a costly misadventure marked by hidden fees and disappointing products. The recent ruling against the company highlights the need for transparency in the industry, ensuring customers are informed and empowered in their purchasing decisions.