Ending your Better membership made easy

What is Better?

Better is one of the UK's largest charitable social enterprises operating leisure centres, gyms, swimming pools, and fitness facilities across London and the South East. Originally established as Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) in 1993, Better now manages over 250 venues in partnership with local authorities, providing affordable access to sports and fitness facilities for millions of members.

The organisation operates on a not-for-profit basis, meaning any surplus generated goes back into improving facilities and supporting community programmes rather than shareholder dividends. Better's venues typically include fully-equipped gyms, swimming pools, group exercise classes, sports halls, and specialist facilities for activities like climbing, tennis, and athletics.

Most importantly, Better works under management contracts with local councils, which means your membership is technically with Better but the facility is owned by your local authority. This arrangement has significant implications when it comes to cancellation procedures, as I'll explain throughout this guide.

Better serves diverse communities with memberships designed for everyone from casual swimmers to serious gym-goers. Their facilities often include accessible equipment and programmes for disabled users, older adults, and families. Many Better centres also offer junior gyms, children's swimming lessons, and holiday activity camps.

Why members choose Better

People join Better for several practical reasons. First, the centres are often conveniently located in residential areas, making them accessible without lengthy commutes. Additionally, as a charitable organisation, Better typically offers more affordable membership rates compared to commercial gym chains, particularly for concession categories like students, over-60s, and people receiving benefits.

The variety of facilities under one membership appeals to many users. Rather than paying separately for gym access and swimming, Better members can usually access multiple activity types at their home venue and often at other Better centres through reciprocal arrangements.

Common reasons for cancellation

After processing thousands of Better cancellations, I've identified several recurring patterns. Relocation tops the list—members move away from their local Better centre and find the commute no longer practical. Keep in mind that whilst Better operates across numerous locations, coverage isn't nationwide, so moving to certain regions makes membership unviable.

Injury or health changes frequently prompt cancellations. Someone who joined for regular gym sessions may need to stop due to medical advice or physical limitations that make their membership unusable. Financial circumstances also play a significant role, particularly when household budgets tighten and discretionary spending like gym memberships becomes unaffordable.

Facility quality concerns drive some cancellations. Members cite issues like overcrowded peak times, equipment maintenance problems, cleanliness standards, or dissatisfaction with class availability. Additionally, some people simply find they're not using the membership enough to justify the ongoing cost—a classic case of optimistic intentions meeting realistic usage patterns.

Plans, features and pricing

Better offers various membership tiers designed to accommodate different usage patterns and budgets. The specific pricing varies by location since each centre operates under a local authority contract, but the membership structures follow consistent patterns across the network.

Membership types and costs

Most importantly, these prices represent typical ranges as of 2024, but your local Better centre may charge differently based on facility quality, location, and local authority subsidy arrangements. Always check your actual membership agreement for precise costs.

What's included in membership

Standard Better memberships typically include gym access with cardiovascular and resistance equipment, free weights areas, and functional training spaces. Swimming pool access covers lane swimming, recreational swimming, and often includes spa facilities like saunas and steam rooms where available.

Group exercise classes form a major component of most memberships. These range from traditional offerings like aerobics and spinning to contemporary options like HIIT, yoga, and Pilates. Additionally, many venues offer outdoor facilities including tennis courts, athletics tracks, and artificial pitches, though some activities may require booking or incur small additional fees.

Better members can usually access other Better centres through reciprocal arrangements, though this often applies only to certain membership levels. Keep in mind that peak-time access at alternative venues may be restricted even if you hold a peak membership at your home centre.

Contract terms and commitment periods

Better offers both contract and no-contract membership options. The traditional approach involves a 12-month contract with reduced monthly rates in exchange for commitment. These contracts typically roll over automatically unless you provide proper cancellation notice.

No-contract memberships, often called \