Money alert: Gyms agree to end their restrictive cancellation rights on contracts

On Tuesday gym chains LA Fitness and Dave Whelan Sports, along with the Harlands Group - which manages 900,000 gym contracts - agreed to end their restrictive cancellation rights.

It followed a long investigation by the Office of Fair Trading into dodgy rules which have seen people locked into expensive contracts even after they've moved away and been unable to use the gym.

Now you can cancel contracts early if your circumstances change and it's difficult to get to the gym - because you've moved or been injured - or it's become too expensive because you've lost your job.

This week's move follows a similar agreement earlier this year by gym chains Bannatyne Fitness, David Lloyd Leisure and Fitness First. The OFT is now writing to 20 other health and fitness companies advising them to review their contract terms.