Op has been apologetic so I won’t harp on her but endo is not some sudden thing. You had it 3 months ago when you signed up and now conveniently when working out is hard it’s suddenly an issue that impacts your ability to use the gym. Honestly, you’re going to be paying for it anyway so you might as well invest in your health and still go. If you signed up for a CrossFit box and literally have zero fitness that was a bad move though since that plan won’t really work.

Suck it up and live up to the terms of the agreement. If there is a legitimate way out, great. If not, take the honest way and set a good example for yourself. It may cost you some money but you can never feel bad about yourself for being honest.

Anonymous wrote:And this is why I won’t join a gym. There is no legitimate reason a gym needs to charge someone for 15 months when they no longer want to go to the gym. Their whole business model is making money off of people NOT using the facility. I hope you are able to get out of this contract, OP.

That's great but most gyms have no commitment memberships as well.

Keep going. It will get easier! DO NOT GIVE UP. Hire a trainer to come up with a gentler routine if you need to but don’t give up. It gets better. I’m overweight and joined a gym six months ago, dubious if I’d make it through the first class. I did because the class is customizable to your ability and the coaches work with you on technique and alternate moves until you’re stronger and fitter. This past week I dead lifted 225 lbs and overhead presses 90 lbs. I repeat, I’m overweight and started from ground zero. If I can do it, you can too. Stay with it, you’ll be glad you did. Where do you want to be in 6 or 12 months? Stiff and on the couch or in better shape than you are now? Start TODAY to move toward your destination in six or twelve months.

And this is why I won’t join a gym. There is no legitimate reason a gym needs to charge someone for 15 months when they no longer want to go to the gym. Their whole business model is making money off of people NOT using the facility. I hope you are able to get out of this contract, OP.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s rude user behavior to ask a doctor to get you out of what is essentially your financial mistake.

Agree. Cheapskate. Presumably you knew your abilities going into this.

Stuff happens. This is not an unreasonable question.

Anonymous wrote:No idea where to post this.

I (stupidly) signed an 18 month gym contract. 3 months into it and I’m over it. I need a new gym/routine.

I don’t have the contract in front of me now. My friend said you can get out of any contract with a doctors note.

I’m going to the doctor this week and I guess I’ll ask for a note...? Saying what I’m not sure but I like the doctor and I think he’ll write it.

Will the gym accept it and let me go? Or will I have to pay hefty fees?

With this kind of forethought, the OP should never buy a car or a house with a loan.

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s rude user behavior to ask a doctor to get you out of what is essentially your financial mistake.

Agree. Cheapskate. Presumably you knew your abilities going into this.

What gym is this? Any reputable gym, even the most intense, will have trainers who can modify your workout. I think you would have luck if you spoke with the manager and were honest.

Np here, nothing to add, however, when I opened this thread advertisement for Planet Fitness popped up everywhere

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sometimes you can get out of it by telling them you are moving out of the area or something. (I know it’s a lie not particularly ethical, etc but for some reason it wouldn’t really bother me to this)

They might ask you for some documentation, etc.

Not an option. I’m not in DC. Small town.

And the medical reasons aren’t a lie. I shouldn’t have made it sound like it was one.

I have endometriosis and am likely scheduling surgery.

Most cases are treated successfully with birth control pills, not laparoscopy. But moving on...

ASK FOR YOUR CONTRACT AND READ IT.

If you really want to get out of it, you'll have to make some effort, OP! The gym won't help you - duh.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tell the gym you’re moving out of the area.

Omg so awkward would never work. It’s not dc; I’m in a small town now!

Tell them you are relocating to dc and with all the trips for interviews and housing you need to give up membership starting now.

You need to find a copy of your contract. A lot of gyms don't give you a copy of the contract when you sign up. They do it intentionally so that you don't know how to end your contract even when your term is up. They always charge people several more months as the customer is trying to terminate the contract. My gym has bad reviews and that was one of the top complaints. Without the contract, you don't know the terms for ending your contract.

Also never ever sign for more than a year.


My gym clearly states what happens if you have a medical issue or move out of the area. My gym can require you to go to a doctor of their choosing if you try to get out based on a medical issue. If you are leaving the area, they make you prove it. I believe they will stop charging you for the period of the medical issue but expect billing to start at some point.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Read the fine print and see how the doctor's note can help, otherwise you don't get out of it.

Honestly, OP... perhaps you should learn from this lesson, instead of trying to get out of your obligations.

I’ve learned. Now I don’t want to pay $X every month for the next 15 months.

Seriously, OP.

Don’t you know that only billionaires and big companies can work the system to get out of their obligations? Come on, living in DC you must have absorbed that messaging from the conservatives.

Average people have to follow every contract to the letter and respect the intent!



(Joking, clearly. I’ve been in many corporate meetings discussing whether and how to break a contract, as anyone has who works on contracts for big firms. If this were a company, we’d be in a meeting saying “clearly this contract is no longer in our financial interest, what are our options to get out of it???”)

Try talking to the gym manager about cancelling due to medical issues that have come up. Tell them that you will do your part of getting documentation from the doctor. There’s a chance the gym will let you cancel and not bother with the documentation. If they do, talk to your doctor about the pain related to intense work outs.