Unsatisfied customers

In 2019 I signed my son up who was in matric. I made it clear to the consultant I only want a year contract and he said its fine they can do it. My son attended a year and I paid a year. There after we went into lockdown due to covid. A year ago I received a letter of demand to pay just over R2000. I went to the branch and was told I didn't give in a notice letter which is apparently in small print on the contract I signed. I told them the consultant didn't explain this to me upon signing up and we had 2 years of covid and no one was allowed to go to gym during this time so how can I pay for something I didn't use they just told me I am liable for the amount there is nothing they can do. These companies are taking advantage of people they know no one really read the small print on the long worded contract. They show you were to sign and you sign it was my first time opening a gym contract and assumed after the year which I requested the contract would end. Today again I received a message from them telling me the account is handed over I am unemployed and cannot pay this money they asking for.