Credit agreements buried in the small print could trip up thousands of people who rushed to join a gym as part of their new year's resolutions, warns Consumer Direct.

While the new year is a peak time for joining gyms and getting fit, Consumer Direct Yorkshire And The Humber cautions that financial fitness could be compromised if the novelty of a work-out regime wears off.

People joining gyms are often oblivious to the fact that a lot of contracts include credit agreements covering membership fees. In many cases the agreements are based on a fixed period of time - typically one to two years. Cancelling a gym membership will not cancel the credit agreement.

"The law relating to gym membership is the same as that for any goods and services. A contract cannot always be cancelled simply because the member has a change of heart.

"Even life-changing events like moving home, changing job or starting a family may not affect your contract."

Gyms are legally obliged to give copies of contracts to customers who ask for them, so it is always possible to double-check your terms and conditions.

"If you're not sure where you stand and you'd like further advice, Consumer Direct is on hand."

Consumer Direct Yorkshire And The Humber offers the following advice:

* Read the terms and conditions of the membership contract carefully * Don't be pressured into signing the contract immediately - take it away and read it* If you are unsure about your membership terms, you are entitled to see a copy of your contract and the gym is legally obliged to provide it * If you join your gym over the phone or online you are entitled to a seven working day "cooling off" period* Check the terms for rights to suspend or terminate the membership* If you want to terminate your membership, put it in writing, send the notice recorded delivery and keep a copy of all correspondence* You may be able to stop your gym membership within the contract period if the gym fails to provide a satisfactory quality of service* If you have a dispute and you are still tied into the contract it is best to keep paying, but do inform the bank and gym that you are paying under protest* Don't stop paying monthly direct debit payments until your membership has concluded. If you do the gym could claim outstanding arrears* Even if your contract is coming to an end, you should still give your gym notice if you do not want to renew your membership. It may be worth keeping a note of key dates in your diary.

Consumer Direct is available six days a week on 08454 04 05 06. Callers are connected to consumer advisers. It is available online at www.consumerdirect.gov.uk