LANSING — A fitness center based in West Michigan will have to pay thousands of dollars in restitution to consumers affected by the company’s poor business practices, according to a release from the Michigan Attorney General’s Office on Wednesday, April 24.

The judgment, made against Family Fitness, orders the company to pay up to $220,000 to the Attorney General’s Office over the next three years — $190,000 of which will be made available to impacted consumers.

“My office will always stand up to protect Michiganders from companies that conduct business in bad faith,” said Attorney General Dana Nessel in a prepared statement. “This consent judgment returns funds to hardworking Michiganders and makes clear that no business is above the law.”

The judgment resolves a four-count class action lawsuit alleging violations of the state’s Consumer Protection Act filed in September 2017 by former Attorney General Bill Schuette in Kent County Circuit Court.

The lawsuit was filed after Schuette received 286 complaints against Family Fitness from customers who alleged the chain was holding them responsible for paying hundreds — and sometimes thousands — of dollars on canceled membership and personal training contracts.

“These entities have been taking advantage of the hard-working people in West Michigan, and it’s time for that to stop,” Schuette said after filing the lawsuit. “It is my hope that we can reform Family Fitness’ business practices and get some money back in the pockets of many consumers.”

There are 12 Family Fitness centers in West Michigan, including locations in Allendale, Grand Rapids and Muskegon. A single Holland location is based at 91 Douglas Ave.

At the time the lawsuit was filed, at least 26 complaints had been made against the Holland Family Fitness Center over the course of three years — including complaints regarding advertising and sales, billing and collection and problems with products and services.

Alleged violations included consumers entering into drawings and being told they won free memberships, but faced monthly charges anyway, misrepresentation of costs at the time of signup and avoidance of consumers’ right to cancel.

As part of the judgment, Family Fitness is not allowed to charge any cancellation fees on any membership or personal training agreement resulting from a drawing or event prize. In addition, cancellation fees on other membership or training agreements cannot exceed $75.

Customers who have been harmed by Family Fitness, but have not joined the lawsuit, may still file a complaint and be included in considerations. Residents who are able to document any claims should file a complaint at mi.gov/agcomplaints.

— Contact reporter Cassandra Bondie at cbondie@hollandsentinel.com. Follow her on Twitter @BizHolland or @SentinelBondie.