Woman never OK'd payments gym withdrew

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Lisa Clemenshaw considered a gym membership, but changed her mind before committing.

But she said Family Fitness on Plainfield Avenue in Grand Rapids charged her for the membership anyway. In fact, she said someone illegally accessed her bank account.
 
She noticed several unusual withdrawals on her bank statements.
 
"This is October 21st where it was taken out again, so we have three times in one month where they've taken out money," Clemenshaw explained as she went through her bank statements.
 
When she checked the contract Family Fitness offered her, she had never signed it. But a copy of the original offer shows someone had signed the contract and authorized payment through Clemenshaw's bank account.  
 
Clemenshaw said a gym employee called her, saying he needed her bank information for their records. She gave the information to him, but told Target 8 on Monday that she regrets it.
 
"I'm just really really angry that I have to fight so hard to get refunded for a forged contract," said Clemenshaw. "That's what's angering, because it's not a lot of money, but it's the fact that I have to keep fighting and being lied to."
 
Clemenshaw notified the gym's management and even the police. Finally, she contacted Target 8.
 
"It's just a shame that they have to do this to people and that we have to go this far to get a wrong made right," said Clemenshaw.
 
Family Fitness, which also goes by the name Strength Beyond and FitZone, has the worst rating the Better Business Bureau gives: an 'F'.
 
The BBB CEO said the gym got that rating after customers complained about having their accounts debited even after they canceled membership, were told there were no records of their cancelations, and had to pay $250 in fees for canceling.  
 
Family Fitness Supervisor Michael Dennis told 24 Hour News 8 in a phone interview that Family Fitness operates just like every other gym regarding cancelations and that a $250 cancelation fee is the norm.   
 
Dennis also said that the employee accused of forging Clemenshaw's signature has since been fired.  
 
Clemenshaw said she would still rather work out at home.
 
"They have their money. They were quick to take it, but I have to fight tooth and nail to get it back and it's not right," said Clemenshaw.
 
The gym contacted Clemenshaw after Target 8 left her home. She said she went to the gym and immediately got $134 in cash -- the same amount the gym had taken from her account.  

Clemenshaw also told 24 Hour News 8 that G-Force gym gave her a free 6-month membership after management saw the story. She said she was impressed with the facility, people, and atmosphere.
 
The BBB suggests not authorizing automatic payments from a gym without researching the business. It also recommends not paying fitness centers up front and not providing them with bank information.