This is a horrible mess. I have tried to discuss this matter with the local club manager and personnel at the Frederick corporate office and have received no assistance. The local manager is dismissive and claims he does not have access to my account due to a computer system problem. He refers me to the Frederick office and the Frederick office refers me to back to the local manager. I have left voicemails requesting assistance yet have never received a response.

I became a member only five months ago yet have been charged over $1, 400. This is astronomically! I am being debited $240 a month!! My credit card company has charged multiple fees, raised the annual percentage rate and has threatened to cancel my account due to overage.

After initiating the family membership I approached the manager to be shown how to use equipment by a qualified staff member; requested a fitness assessment; and advice on an appropriate exercise routine. I was concerned my children and I could injury ourselves unless we knew how to properly use the equipment. The manager responded he could not demonstrate equipment use and I had to make an appointment with a trainer. I felt this was odd, but made an appointment. We met with the trainer two days later and he walked me through several exercise techniques and the use of some equipment. It was a high-pressure aggressive sales pitch that completely confused me. I was already member of the club, I did not understand why he was insisting I recommit.

At the end of the half-hour demonstration the trainer persisted that to obtain any results I had to meet with a trainer weekly. I again explained I was a member of the club at $100 a month. The trainer stated for $140 per month my membership would include weekly session with a trainer. He walked away several times stating he was trying to get clearance for this reduced rate from his manager. I asked if there was materiel I could look over and get back to him in a few days. He really, really wanted me to take advantage of this exceptional discount and stated he could not hold the offer. I agreed and he advised the new rate would be billed to my same credit card. My first meeting with a trainer was scheduled for a week later. I have since changed trainers three times due to the clubs high turnover.

Several weeks later I learned from my credit card company that I was billed $100 and $140 from the fitness club. I was annoyed but not overly alarmed; I assumed it was a billing error and called the local club manager. He was unconcerned, dismissive, and claimed the computer systems were down. He also stated he could not handle billing issues and I needed to contact the Frederick office.

The Frederick staffers stated over and over my contract was binding. Apparently the 3-grace days for cancellation had passed. I was never told about the extremely limited cancellation policy. I had not met with a trainer within 3-days and I was not aware of the billing issue in 3-days. How would I have known there would be a problem? I stated to her I was not requesting to cancel, but to clear up the duplicate billing. The staffer further explained that the $100 and $140 were separate membership. The $100 covered my club membership and the $140 was the trainer fee. I repeatedly explained that was not the terms I agreed to, I had no desire nor could I maintain two memberships. I am a single parent of two teenage boys and I came to the club for assistance. My children and I are not physically fit and this was my attempt to bring us to better health. Instead the membership was ruining my credit and creating an unbearable financial burden to my meager budget.

This is a horrible mess that must be rectified immediately. I was coerced into signing complicated binding contract without proper explanation. Regrettably, I researched Fitness First after this financial turmoil began. I learned this is a common complaint with other members -- overcharging and creating legally binding contracts that are hard to break or receive a refund. Multiple cases also exist where direct debit accounts are still debited after the member has cancelled their membership.