Bally Total Fitness 3 year contract! Encino California

The person who callously told you "welcome to the real world" is out to lunch. Companies do NOT have a legal right to behave this way and as a matter of fact Bally's has been successfully SUED in California to the tune of multi -million$ for ripping people off and attempting to force customers into needless longterm contracts.  The State of California is dealing with them. I have also had a run in with Bally and they even tried to get a collection agency after me to ruin my credit.  I simply posted the tale of their abusive treatment on my credit report so that whoever read it would read my side of it, too. Contact the Department of Consumer Affairs in your state and enumerate the many ways you were ripped off and lied to by them.  Don't roll over! FIGHT BACK! It always pays. Make sure you have written records and receipts and DON'T accept the nonsensical blather that "it was your own fault because you didn't understand."  This is the rationalization for crooks everywhere.

I too was lied to and mistreated by Bally's.  They use intimidating, high pressure sales techniques and mislead people as to what they are signing up for and how long they will be obligated.  They also, as has been stated elsewhere, do not protect female customers from harassment by male clients and personnel.

"Now I give up, I dont know what to do, Im stuck paying the stupid monthly membership for the remaining three years, just like the contract stated. I need to get out of it, I know ive made a big mistake by signing the contract but I really really need to get out of it because my parents cannot pay the amount month after month."

- Why would your parents bail you out? YOU signed up for the contract, and if you don't pay it will be YOUR credit that suffers. Perhaps your parents should have taught you some of these financial lessons before you signed up. You are 18 and now are legally held accountable for your actions. Don't expect just because you made a mistake people will just say "oh well" and let you out of it. Think of this as a lesson learned, where you need to read and understand everything you sign. If you don't understand it then don't sign it. Just be glad it was not on something more expensive such as a car.

Good luck and enjoy the next 2.5 years at the Gym.