Hong Kong fitness enthusiasts who are clients of Levana Fitness are expressing significant concern this week following allegations that the multi-branch gym operator has failed to pay numerous personal trainers for months, potentially leaving members stranded with costly, unused training packages.
The situation came to light on Monday, November 24, 2025, after a Levana client alerted media outlets to internal discussions claiming several coaches at the health and leisure operator were preparing legal action to recover alleged wage arrears stretching back to August. The claims surface just over a year after the highly publicized downfall of another major local chain, Physical Fitness, raising anxieties across the city’s wellness sector. Levana Fitness operates multiple locations across Hong Kong, including Tsim Sha Tsui, Yau Ma Tei, and Fortress Hill, as well as a branch in Shenzhen.
Trainer Pay Allegations Spark Client Concern
The claims center on significant salary discrepancies. According to the member who came forward, staff messages reviewed late Sunday indicated a concerted effort among trainers to file suit against Levana management over the outstanding wages.
More critical for clients is the potential loss of pre-paid services. The complainant, who is currently undergoing private training sessions with a Levana coach, noted he still holds five training hours. However, he cautioned that the collective burden on the wider membership could amount to “hundreds of hours” of training time that may not be honored if staff departures accelerate or if the company faces insolvency.
The member also alleged that the owner of Levana may currently be based in Shenzhen and urged the firm’s leadership to address the crisis immediately and take responsibility for the staff and client liabilities.
Echoes of Past Fitness Failures
These developments occur against the backdrop of recurrent instability in Hong Kong’s competitive gym market. The most recent, and arguably most prominent, failure was that of Physical Fitness, which abruptly closed its doors last year.
The repercussions of that collapse continue to unfold in the courts. In August 2025, Luk Ngai-keung, the founder and director of Physical, was charged at Eastern Magistrates’ Court with 17 counts related to wrongly accepting payments. These charges involved around HK$320,000 from 11 customers between August 1 and September 5 of the prior year. The accusations were part of a wider legal battle concerning significant accumulated debts, including unpaid employee salaries, pension contributions, and rental liabilities. Physical was officially ordered to be wound up earlier this year by the court after being declared unable to service its extensive debts.
This precedent is amplifying customer apprehension regarding the security of their long-term contracts with smaller chains like Levana.
What Clients Can Do Now
For customers affected by the Levana allegations, understanding consumer rights and immediate action steps is vital:
- Document Everything: Retain all receipts, training agreements, records of completed sessions, and pre-payment details. Secure any communication from the gym operator or trainers regarding the current situation.
- Gauge Unused Hours: Calculate the exact monetary value of any unused training hours or untaken membership time.
- Seek Advice: If direct communication with Levana management fails, clients may consider filing a formal complaint with the Consumer Council. Employees with outstanding wage claims should contact the Labour Department. Legal counsel may be necessary if the company faces winding-up proceedings.
The Levana situation serves as a stark reminder for all fitness consumers in Hong Kong to exercise caution when purchasing long-term training packages, particularly those requiring significant upfront payments. The instability observed over the last two years underscores the importance of thoroughly vetting a gym’s financial health and utilizing reputable pre-paid service protection measures when available.