Never use your debit card for recurring payments

Join a health club and you’ll likely be asked to approve recurring payments. Every month, the gym will reach into your account and grab your dues. Would you allow a retailer to open your wallet, count out money and assure you they are taking the right amount? That’s what these gyms are doing. If you aren’t comfortable with that, you need to look for an alternative.

Here are three acceptable options: 1) Pay monthly, many gyms won’t allow it. 2) Use a credit card, that way if an issue comes up you can file for a chargeback. 3) Pay in advance, which seems like a bad deal, but is a lot better than signing paperwork allowing the gym to dip into your account every month.

The main question to ask yourself is this: Do you trust these guys? If the answer is ‘no’, find another gym.