(Photo by Chris DiGiamo)

If there’s anything harder than keeping a New Year’s resolution to get to the gym, it’s cancelling that membership once you’ve finally accepted that it isn’t going to happen. The polices at a popular local gym chain are now clearer, though, after an investigation by the Office of the Attorney General, and some consumers will see refunds for charges received after they tried to cancel.

At D.C.’s eight Washington Sports Clubs, many members were told that they could cancel at any time by informing a manager or desk employee. But gymgoers were required to sign year-long membership agreements that stated that cancellations could only be made in writing and with 30 days’ notice, the OAG’s office found. WSC’s parent company, Town Sports International, continued to bill people who cancelled verbally.

Under the terms of the settlement, Town Sports International must pay $20,000 in penalties and costs related to the investigation. Going forward, they have agreed not to mislead consumers about cancellation policies and clearly disclose them.

The company will refund Washington Sports Clubs members who filed complaints about being charged after they tried to cancel their memberships. Those who haven’t done so already have three years to file a complaint. Call the OAG’s Consumer Protection Hotline (202-442-9828) for more information.

“Consumers should not be on the hook when companies mislead them with unclear and inconsistent cancellation policies. Washington Sports Club members who made a good-faith effort to end their membership deserve the restitution that this settlement provides,” said Attorney General Karl Racine.