Anytime Fitness review: Gym cancellation

I signed up for Gym membership at Anytime Fitness in Ashford Kent in April 2026 and have since used the gym okay. In the last couple of weeks I have twisted my back multiple times which as led to my decision to hold off using the gym and cancel my membership.

I contacted the gym to give them a month's notice for cancellation and I was told the contract I signed required me to provide either proof of medical, redundancy or relocation.

I have contacted my GP multiple times on this. I am not signed off sick, the GP has advised they don't issue fit notes of this nature.

I've communicated this to the local team at Ashford, they are insistent I must provide this proof. Whilst they have agreed to freeze my membership for the next couple of months, dealing with a business that would hold customers to ransom in this manner is not palatable. GPs are incredibly busy and me following them up constantly for a note to cancel a gym membership is not good use of anyone or NHS time.

The facilities (buckets to catch leaking water from the roof on gym floor) on ground at the gym sometimes have proved a hazard to my already sensitive back, I would not want to risk further injury.

I have tried to resolve the issue amicably without so much back and forth. This has gone on for over 3 weeks now, I still haven't made any progress, they are refusing to accept my 1 month notice until there is a doctor's note. Now whilst I understand there is a policy in place, circumstances beyond me, every contract should have reasonable cancellation clause. Already I am being charged for two months without using the gym, is that not enough penalty?