Officials with jobs in trading standards have urged people in West Yorkshire to read the small print before signing up for a gym membership.
January is traditionally a busy time for gyms as large numbers of people launch new fitness regimes, but potential members have been advised to proceed with caution, the Huddersfield Examiner reports.
Graham Hebblethwaite, chief officer at West Yorkshire Trading Standards, explained that gym contracts often include binding terms and conditions that casual users may be unaware of.
"A contract with your gym cannot always be cancelled if you have simply changed your mind," he told the newspaper.
"The key thing, when agreeing to any contract, is to make sure that you have checked the small print carefully."
Mr Hebblethwaite recommended that people speak to a Consumer Direct adviser if they are unsure over any aspect of their gym membership agreement.
The new payasUgym service, which will allow people to visit a network of fitness centres without paying membership fees, is set to launch in the UK next month.
Posted by Francesca Critchlow
