I'm a member at a gym, and I was informed about 2 weeks ago I would be ejected/kicked out for wearing Crocs. I've worn crocs every day for the past 18ish months I've been a member with no issue. I wear them because I have a renal dysfunction which causes my legs and feet to painfully swell when working out, particularly when doing cardio. (I'm not sure if this is important but this is a well documented health issue, as I have a somewhat rare kidney autoimmune disorder that I've been seeing specialists for half a decade)
I tell the employee who approached me I would just have to leave the gym, as I can't wear traditional athletic shoes. Apparently the owner decided there was a new rule banning all non-athletic shoes.
I decide to simply cancel my membership, but when I go to try to cancel, the website says I'm locked in until October of this year. So I did sign up for a year contract almost two years ago, and i was under the impression it would automatically bill me monthly after it was over. However, it appears it auto renewed for another entire year. I can't find anywhere i was informed or asked for permission for this renewal. Honestly I feel foolish for not noticing it until now.
So now I email the owner explaining my health situation, asking if any accommodations could be made. I get a generic looking reply stating no crocs but saying a solution would be found. I reply again asking about accommodations, but for the past 10 days I've received no communication whatsoever. I don't want to give money to a gym that's kicking me out for a health issue I have no control over. What can I do? Living in the state of VA, sorry if any of this is stupid.
Location: Virginia, USA
(edit) To clarify I just want to leave the gym
(edit2) To clarify again I only use the gym to do elliptical and upper body
(edit3) The website says I'm contracted until October 2026, but I am still billed monthly. I am seeking to just to not pay the remaining months I will not be able to use