Thanks for all of your opinions,
1. First, not low time, not necessarily young, level playing field.
2. No one had the type to start, no unique situations either.
3. Now, let's look at US & UK law only with this situation
I see most people's initial reaction is you signed the thing, live with it. I see your points of view and have shared them in various circumstances.
Now, employer had been let down before (i.e. people joining then leaving), hence the bonding. However, before and after my joining, people were not asked to sign. I had no prior knowlege of this and only found out a few months after starting.
So rather than throwing a tantrum about why training contracts are in place (myself being well aware), let's look at this objectively. I have an inkling that many would probably view this differently if in my shoes.