Lifetime Membership a ****

I joined the gym soon after it was built under the lifetime membership. All was going well until I changed banks and adding new banking details was too much of a hassle and cumbersome so I opted for cash payment which was an option. In July I was moved to Cape Town on a 3 month project which meant I could not fulfil my cash payment. As soon as I was back in town, I went to the gym, clad in my gymwear with my bank card in tow to make the payment for the previous months I was away as well as the following month only to be told that my membership has been cancelled and that I am handed over to their lawyers who I need to pay then rejoin the gym under new membership. My question is very simple: what is the meaning of lifetime membership, bearing in mind that I paid a hefty membership fee so I am a lifetime member? The gym still has my details on their system but it seems impossible for them to activate my membership and allow me to pay whats due. I am utterly disgusted and I feel duped at being sold what is really not the case as it stands and I feel this was a marketing gimmick to lure unsuspecting patrons. I am yet to be furbished with a contract that states the terms and conditions that constitute annulment of the LIFETIME membership.