I can't tan either. I burn, peal, and go white again. On the good side we won't have as many wrinkles & we have a lower risk of skin cancer!
Sadly, I can't help her get out of the contract. I had to accept a nasty loss with Cory Everson Fitness - having paid in advance for a full year, then only used it for 3 months before they suddenly moved out of my commute route... but just barely close enough that I couldn't get a prorated refund on my $. They didn't tell me they were closing my location when she sold me the contract even though I mentioned the reason I chose that fitness center over the other nearby ones was the proximity to home (w/i a mile).
I also bought a membership to a fitness center because they required family membership to open enrollment into Swim Lessons for my child. By the end of the year she had used her membership maybe a half dozen times to access the play room while my husband and I walked the track. She was never able to get the swim class because they gave preference to those who were already enrolled before accepting new applicants. The old students didn't have to graduate to the next level and make room for new kids.
I have bought memberships at a few places and been disappointed in most of them. Some places get dominated by these muscle heads... I just can't get comfortable around them. I don't like the trendy places with the exorbitant priced drinks and Jock-Spa atmosphere. I don't like the "your fat, I'm fat, it's OK we'll be fat together" emotional places either. The biggest peeve are places where the staff only care about you when you are a prospective client and once signed on you are just a no-name-newb in the way.
Until just recently the best location I had found to work out was the local community recreation center. They offer more than just fitness; like classes, support/motivation challenges, community events, team sports, etc. I have even participated in a garage sale there. Unfortunatly, the price went up and it is no longer cost effective in my location. :(
I quit working out till recently when I joined "Planet Fitness" on the recommendation of a good friend. She has the membership with tanning privaledges ($20/mo) and I have the basic package ($10/mo). There is a small processing fee & annual renewal fee. (I think it was like 25 this time and 20 next yr.) They do an automatic withdrawl but I can stop at any time w/o penalty. I have used the personal trainer (part of the package) about 1/2 the time and am *finally* getting results. Note: they do not provide any form of child care; the place seems geared towards professionals on a tight schedual.
I know it is hard to get the time (and energy) to work out when you have small children but it is worth it. Hand the kids off to your husband 2-3 evenings a week and take an hour for your own sanity.