if i can be totally honest, i went down the route of lying as i had the same problem. i called and said i have just found out i have a medical condition that can be made worse by exercise, when they asked what i said it was sensitive, they then asked me to get a doctors note which i said i couldnt get an appointment due to it wasting doctors time. in the end they gave up with no further action as i said i will come and train and if it gets worse i will sue due to them putting pressure on me to thinking i had to use the gym.

but obviously lying may lead to a whole heap of trouble so think carefully before doing that.

btw this was with a large gym company

You have entered a subscription to a membership, therefore your notice period and cancellation terms will be in the agreement that you have signed.

The gym are correct except they have wrongly stated that you bought a service, it is a ongoing monthly membership subscription that you have agreed to pay into......they are not covered by a, "cooling off period" or under the sale of goods or services act.

Hi, yesterday Friday the 24th July 2009 I joined a gym, I paid a deposit and agreed to pay a set amount by direct debit every month for 36 months. After reconsidering I decided to cancel this agreement but have been told by the gym that because I have bought a service and not a product that I am not covered by the usuel 14 day cooling of period. Can someone please tell me where I stand,

Many Thanks,

John.