Getting in shape can really make your bank account unhealthy.

If you are among the millions of people making New Year’s resolutions who think January is the time to finally commit to an exercise plan, and you are considering joining a health club, know this: signing up for a gym membership can be just as complicated as buying a car, and it can be just as expensive, too. Take steps now, before you sign anything, to make sure your exercise routine doesn’t also mean routinely fighting over hidden fees and charges.

1. It’s All About the Exit Strategy

It seems wrong to think about the breakup before your first date, but that’s exactly what you must do with a gym. While gym membership contracts can be full of booby traps, long-term commitments, nonsensical sign-up fees, and so on, the vast majority of gym complaints come down to one thing: Consumers getting charged after they quit.

First: Before you sign, make sure you have the gym’s cancellation policy in writing, and you understand it well. Often, it goes like this: you must give the gym 30 days’ notice, which generally gives the facility one extra month of your money.

That’s fine, but often, gyms that are very good at signing you up are terrible at processing cancellation paperwork. So send your cancellation in writing, return receipt request. Also take the paperwork into the gym and get someone to sign it in person, if possible.

But let’s take a step backwards: You make life much easier on the future you-who-wants-to-cancel if you don’t let the gym automatically deduct payments from your checking account, or through your debit card. Use a credit card if you must — challenging those unauthorized charges is a bit easier than fighting an account debit. But better still: pay the health club with a check every month. Some health clubs insist on auto-deduction, but many states now mandate that you are allowed to pay them manually. Keeping the club from directly accessing your money is the best way to avoid future breakup overcharges.

2. Assume the Sales Pitch Is a Lie

As in dating, so many things that sound good at the beginning turn sour at the end. Health club employees are usually paid on commission and often are perfectly happy to lie to you. Nothing they say matters. Only what you see in writing matters. This includes some things that might not seem obvious, such as the financial health of the club itself. Want a really good reason not to sign a 36-month contract? What if the club goes out of business, or your local club is closed? (The answer is below.)

Among the most common lies? “Treadmills are always free!” Visit the gym you are considering on the days and times you plan to be there, and see how busy the equipment is. Even still, if the club does a serious membership drive, you might end up with long waits anyway.