Subscription services who force you to phone up to cancel

[SueEllen]

The irony being for quite a few people that might be the only time they visit the gym

If it's a DD that's easy to cancel though isn't it? Or can they reinstate it?

They can reinstate it and if you tell your bank not to accept it under the Direct Debit guarantee. companies will send you a letter threatening debt collectors.

The trick is before joining is to google how difficult they are to cancel with. If enough people say they managed to cancel after doing giving x months notice in writing including by snail mail then join.