For four months Laura Day paid $20 a week for a gym she rarely walked inside.
Now the 20-year-old has laid down almost $500 to slim down for summer. And she plans on getting every cent back.
But there's a catch.
She recently saw an ad on Facebook: "Lose 10 kilos in seven weeks for free". She would have to put down almost $500 up front, but if she hits her target she can win it all back.
"It's such a gamble, but if I can bet on myself - which I feel like is a good thing to bet on - I will be the only thing that will stuff this up," she said.
Ms Day has signed up to Fit Camp alongside others with many with more kilos to lose. She went to the next available "orientation session" and signed on the dotted line, money down.
Despite heading in with the 10kg target in mind - a figure the 20-year-old hadn't really thought too much about - she's been placed in a lower category, with a goal to lose 5 per cent of her body fat.
"When I went to [a local gym], I was paying $17.50 a week and I didn't go. When I first signed up I think I went three times a week, but then I didn't go at all for like four months," she said.
Fit Camp is headed by former personal trainer Adam Bugaj, where "challengers" are asked to take part in five group sessions a week for seven weeks, while following a diet plan.
If participants are able to meet their weight loss goal during the program, as well as adhering to a strict social media regimen - which involves 'checking in' to every session and changing your display picture to the company's logo - they are able to claim back their full $497 "accountability deposit".
"Because of the challenge and the fact I have to physically check in [on social media] each time I go, I'm going to go," MS Day said. "I have to go, or I'm obviously going to lose that money."
Mr Bugaj doesn't believe anybody who comes into the program and follows it "to a tee" is taking a gamble, but concedes 'challengers' might frame it that way.
"[I think] the clients see it as a bet on themselves, a bet on their ability to follow the program and stay consistent and get the result," he said. "No one wants to lose a bet, especially if it's on themselves."
In future, Fit Camp will only offer half of the $497 figure back if a participant hits their goal - though the full amount would be deducted from a long-term membership.
Mr Bugaj said that more than 80 per cent of participants claimed back their $497.
Without referencing Fit Cap, independent consumer advocacy group Choice warned people of being drawn in by promises of get-thin-quick, life-changing health programs.
"Hardly a week goes by without some new miracle weight loss revolution being spruiked to consumers," said Choice spokesman Tom Godfrey.
"For most people the weight loss is about eating well and exercising," he said. "Neither of which requires you to sign up for a contract of any kind."
He said the key is making sure you know exactly you are signing up for, what you're being promised and how likely you are as an individual to hold up your end of the bargain.
"You should also check for a cooling off period in the contract because after the hype of the sales process wears off, you might find you'd be better off heading to the park to exercise for free."
Associate Professor Amanda Salis from The Boden Institute of Obesity, Nutrition, Exercise & Eating Disorders said there isn't anything inherently wrong with aiming to lose 10 per cent of your body weight in seven weeks, but there is a general problem with "get thin quick" programs.
"The trouble is that most people - probably over 70 per cent - will not lose that much weight or fat on a food-based diet within seven weeks, even if they combine dietary changes with intense exercise," Associate Professor Salis said.
"If you're counting on winning your $500 back, it's important to be aware of this statistic."
Mr Bugaj said he got a lot of repeat business from challengers that 'cut and run' after the seven weeks, but inevitably fall into old habits.
Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation Matt Kean wouldn't be drawn on any particular business, but said it is vital consumers understand their rights, which includes "protections against unfair or misleading contracts".
"I urge consumers to carefully consider any contract before signing up for a product or service," Mr Kean said.
