Help with cancelling your gym membership

Questioner

I verbally cancelled my gym membership at the front desk at the end of April 2014; according to my agreement, my membership would expire this month (1 month notice period). At the time I was told that I still had to complete this via the internet. Ridiculous, since I was only able to cancel via the internet after answering a few questions (previously the site did not 'accept' my cancellation). Well, I just did this but now I get a confirmation of my (online) cancellation dd end of July! In other words, as if the month's notice period is calculated from the start of my online cancellation! I received confirmation by email from the branch manager of that gym (a large, national chain by the way): - that I informed him at the end of April that I wanted to cancel my subscription immediately, - that he then said that I had to complete this via the internet (without specifying a deadline!). Now this gym took my current girlfriend in for a full year two years ago (when it was still just possible) while she knew she would be going abroad that year - she tried to negotiate to come to a mutually satisfactory amount but in the end she had to pay the entire year anyway - legally there is no way around it perhaps, but of course it doesn't feel right. That is why I really don't want them to have this last monthly payment of mine (+/- 50 euros). Do I have a chance? Thank you in advance for your attention, time and effort!

Lawyer

It depends on what is stated in the gym's general terms and conditions. If there is a provision stating that the subscription must be terminated in writing or via the internet, the gym is right. If this provision is not included, then you have a problem with proof. It is your word against the gym's. I advise you to pay and let this matter rest.