They are as bad as everyone is saying they are. I have been having the hugest headache as a full-time graduate student trying to cancel the stupid contract. The contract expired 7/23/10, with the condition that "I authorize the automatic annual monthly renewal by electronic funds transfer at $25 per month". Um. Annual monthly..per month?
When I signed it, she assured me it's super easy to cancel, don't worry, it won't automatically renew, blablabla. Whenever I try to talk to the gym about the contract (the people who explained it to me and convinced me to sign it), they claim ignorance and tell me to call Paramount Acceptance to discuss anything about the contract.
Paramount Acceptance doesn't answer the phone. Obviously, they don't return messages either. My contract expired last month, I've called them to confirm that I do not want it renewed, but of course I was charged again two days ago. I feel hopeless. I'm never signing up with a gym ever again in my life. I recommend that you don't either. If anybody needs to be boycotted, it's Paramount. Just read the more articulate messages. I'm too worn out to complain anymore about it.