Utilize your financial knowledge, give your answer or opinion to the input question or subject . Answer format is not limited.

Safe method of paying for a Gym Membership?
Shady isn't quite the right word.  They know that most of their customers are going to quit soon after they begin -- as in "before the end of January" -- so they lock you in while you're motivated.  And of course they're going to make it difficult for you to quit. No choice but to read their contract, understand it completely, follow their rules, and meet their deadlines.  There's lots of freedom for them and lots of restrictions for you.  It's like this if you're not the one writing up the contract.   However ... do you have a YMCA around?  Our YMCA has an initiation fee, but beyond that it's month to month.  Most flexible gym membership I've heard of.  If you lapse for too long they'll make you pay another initiation fee to rejoin, but there's no penalty for canceling.  Not all Y's are like that, but check around to see.