When it comes to running a gym, many owners find themselves juggling countless responsibilities—marketing, customer service, operations, and of course, the all-important legal side of the business. It’s tempting to look for quick fixes, especially when it comes to drafting legal documents like membership contracts, waivers, or lease agreements. After all, you could save a little money by not hiring an attorney. You might even be tempted to use a cheaper option like ChatGPT, an AI-driven service, to draft your legal contracts.
But here’s the truth: you should not use ChatGPT to draft your legal contracts.
The Difference Between Me and a Legal Professional
While AI is certainly capable of drafting legal language, it doesn’t have the expertise that an experienced attorney who specializes in gym law can bring to the table. It can generate contracts, clauses, and agreements, but these documents often lack the specificity and foresight required to protect your business from potential issues down the road. One key example is that AI language, though precise, tends to be shorter than it needs to be—leaving ambiguity that can create legal exposure.
An Example: A Lease Termination Clause
We asked Chat GPT to draft a lease addendum clause that would allow a tenant to terminate their lease early under the following conditions:
Draft a clause to add to a lease addendum that says that the tenant may terminate the lease at any time for any reason as long as it provides the landlord with at least 30 days’ notice and is not in default of the lease.
This is what it came up with:
Termination by Tenant
The Tenant may terminate this Lease at any time for any reason, provided that the Tenant: (a) gives the Landlord at least thirty (30) days’ written notice of its intent to terminate; and (b) is not in default of any terms or obligations of this Lease at the time of giving such notice or at any time during the notice period. Upon the expiration of the thirty (30) day notice period, the Tenant shall vacate the Premises and return possession to the Landlord in accordance with the terms of this Lease. The Tenant shall remain responsible for all rent, fees, and other obligations under the Lease through the effective date of termination.
While this clause is decent from a legal perspective, it leaves a lot to be desired. Sure, it addresses the basics: 30 days’ notice and the tenant being in good standing. But here’s where things get tricky.
What’s Missing? The Details Matter.
As attorneys, we at Gym Lawyers PLLC are trained not only to read what’s in a contract but to identify what isn’t covered by the contract. We anticipate potential issues that might arise and structure the language to minimize any ambiguity or loopholes.
Here’s what a clause like this might look like when drafted by us:
Early Termination by Tenant
1.1 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Lease, Tenant shall have the right to terminate this Lease at any time prior to the Expiration Date for any reason by providing Landlord with at least thirty (30) days’ prior written notice of such termination.
1.2 Tenant’s right to terminate pursuant to Section 1.1 is conditioned upon Tenant not being in default under any of the terms, covenants or conditions of the Lease at the time the termination notice is delivered to Landlord and on the Termination Effective Date (as defined below).
1.3 If Tenant validly exercises its termination right pursuant to Section 1.1, this Lease shall terminate and the Term shall end on the date (the “Termination Effective Date”) that is thirty (30) days after the date Landlord receives Tenant’s termination notice, unless such termination notice specifies a later Termination Effective Date.
1.4 On the Termination Effective Date, Tenant shall vacate the Premises in accordance with the requirements of the Lease for surrender of the Premises upon expiration of the Term, including payment of all amounts due under the Lease through the Termination Effective Date.
1.5 Landlord shall refund to Tenant any prepaid rents for the period after the Termination Effective Date, and shall return Tenant’s security deposit in accordance with applicable law, within thirty (30) days after the Termination Effective Date.
1.6 Tenant’s termination right under this Section 1 shall not limit any other termination rights of Tenant under the Lease or at law.
1.7 Except as set forth in this Section 1, all other terms and conditions of the Lease shall remain in full force and effect.
The Primary Difference: Length and Coverage
The first thing you’ll notice is that the attorney-drafted clause is significantly longer. But longer legal contracts don’t necessarily mean they’re more enforceable—the key difference lies in the coverage.
The clause drafted by us leaves nothing to chance. It defines key terms like “Termination Effective Date,” covers what happens to any prepaid rents or security deposits, and ensures that the tenant isn’t simply forfeiting other rights. These types of details provide a more comprehensive layer of protection for both parties involved, reducing the likelihood of disputes down the line.
On the other hand, the shorter version the AI drafted leaves ambiguity in several areas: What happens to prepaid rent? Does the tenant have any ongoing obligations? What if the landlord disputes the termination date? These uncertainties are where gym owners often find themselves in hot water because the contract wasn’t drafted by an attorney who understands the potential legal pitfalls.
The Risks of Short-Form Contracts
We see this most often with waivers, where gym owners try to use short-form templates they find online. These templates rarely contain the legal language necessary to protect a gym in case of an injury or dispute. They might work—until they don’t. And when they fail, the legal consequences can be costly.
As gym owners, you’re already dealing with enough on your plate. The last thing you need is to find out too late that your contracts—your waivers, your membership agreements, your lease—are inadequate to protect your business.
Why You Shouldn’t Use ChatGPT (or Templates)
So why shouldn’t you use AI or a pre-made template to draft your legal contracts? Because while AI can generate basic legal language, it can’t provide the nuanced expertise that an attorney brings. Attorneys like those at Gym Lawyers PLLC have spent years studying the law and running a gym. They understand the specific needs of businesses like yours. They know the right questions to ask and the right protections to include.
Don’t leave your gym vulnerable to legal issues. Reach out to Gym Lawyers PLLC for help drafting the contracts that will protect your business for years to come. By using the right attorney, you ensure that your contracts are thorough, enforceable, and tailored to the unique risks of running a gym. Protect your business—contact Gym Lawyers PLLC today for all your legal needs, especially the contracts that form the foundation of your operations.
