I'm never joining a gym again...this time I mean it.

I'm all about having a healthy lifestyle with diet and exercise. Even though, the latter is not my most favorite thing but I still do it. However, since joining the gym-that-shall-not-be-named(hint: it rhymes with the Rush), I have acquired a bad taste in my mouth.

When I first joined, it looked like it would be fun and different from other gyms. They had a pool, rock climbing wall, simulated boxing ring, a separate women's gym and a basketball court. It looked like it could be fun because I'm one of those people who likes to get their exercise by doing things that don't seem like exercise. The getting in shape part is just an added bonus. I went pretty regularly, even tried out a trainer for a while. Then I got pregnant and I went less and less. I did more walking in the neighborhood during that time. Now, they offered the option of deferring your payments, for instances like pregnancy, while you weren't able to workout. Then I decided to quit work to be a stay-at-home mommy. Well, $50 a month wasn't something I wanted to pay while we were relying on one income. So I called them up to see if I could cancel the membership and pay an early termination fee or whatever. Well, I was informed much to my astonishment that I would have to pay the rest of what I owed for the remaining 3 years of the contract or show proof that I either a.) moved b.) had a doctor's note that I was disabled and couldn't work out or c.) was active military and was being sent out of the country. Really?! So, I guess if you were laid off or even dead you are SOL in getting out of the contract. I guess they'd just tell you "sorry" if you'd been laid off but you still gotta pay. That also goes for the surviving members of a family when they let them know the gym member is no longer with us. What a crock!

So, reluctantly, I just downgraded my membership. But guess what? It was like re-enrolling so I had to pay another deposit and basically sign up again for two years. Freaking A! Now, if that isn't enough, they draft my checking account for the fee. That was going along fine for a couple of months, then all of the sudden I get a letter saying I owe them double the amount I pay a month because they weren't able to draft my account. Uhhh, okaaay. I call them, they have no idea why there was a problem but wanted to say it was our fault and we still have to pay the fee. No, I'm sorry I don't. I gave you the account number and you drafted it for a few months with no problems AND there was money in the account so it must be something on your end, slick. Gotta love that customer service. They waived the fee after some convincing and things went back to normal. Then this week I see a charge come out of my account for a different amount and on a different date than the fee normally drafts. So I call and find out it's an enhancement fee that comes out every year so they can upgrade their equipment. Well what the frick are the membership dues for?!

To say they've soured my gym membership experience would be an understatement. However, I want to thank them for making me see the error of my ways. I will reluctantly go to your gym while I still pay you money but when I'm done, it's all about jogging and working on the Wii Fit.