Gym memberships are notoriously difficult to cancel. Between contracts, cancellation fees, in-person requirements, and certified mail demands, gyms use every trick to keep billing you. Here's how to cancel the most popular gyms — and what to do when they make it hard.
How to Cancel Major Gym Memberships
Planet Fitness
- In person: Visit your home club and fill out a cancellation form
- By mail: Send a certified letter to your home club's address
- NOT available: Phone or online cancellation
- Notice: Must cancel before the 10th of the month to avoid next month's charge
- Annual fee warning: Planet Fitness charges a $39-49 annual fee. Time your cancellation to avoid it.
LA Fitness
- In person: Visit any LA Fitness location with a written cancellation request
- By mail: Send certified letter to: P.O. Box 54170, Irvine, CA 92619-4170
- NOT available: Phone or online
- Notice: Requires 5 business days before next billing date
24 Hour Fitness
- Phone: Call 1-800-432-6348
- In person: Visit your home club
- Online: Some members can cancel at 24hourfitness.com
- Notice: 30 days before next billing date
Anytime Fitness
- In person only: Each club is independently owned — cancel at your home club
- Notice: Usually 30 days; check your contract
- Tip: Get written confirmation from the club manager
Equinox
- In person: Visit your home club
- By email: Contact your club directly
- Notice: 45 days before next billing date (one of the longest in the industry)
- Cancellation fee: May apply if within the initial commitment period
YMCA
- In person or by phone: Contact your local branch
- Online: Some locations offer online cancellation
- Notice: Usually 30 days; varies by location
What If the Gym Won't Let You Cancel?
Step 1: Send a Certified Letter
Even if you've called or visited, send a cancellation request via USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt. This creates a legal record of your cancellation request.
Step 2: Block the Charges
If the gym continues billing after you've canceled:
- Contact your bank or credit card company
- Request a merchant block on the gym
- Dispute any charges that occurred after your cancellation date
- Provide your certified mail receipt as evidence
Step 3: File Complaints
- State attorney general: Consumer protection division
- BBB: Creates a public record
- FTC: For deceptive business practices
Know Your Rights
- FTC rules: Gyms must honor legitimate cancellation requests
- State laws: Many states have specific gym membership cancellation protections
- Contract clauses: Read the cancellation section of your contract — it specifies the required process
- Medical cancellation: Most gyms allow cancellation with a doctor's note for medical reasons, even within a contract
- Relocation: If you move more than 25 miles from the nearest location, most contracts allow cancellation
Quick Checklist
- [ ] Check your gym's specific cancellation requirements
- [ ] Send cancellation via certified mail regardless of other methods
- [ ] Time your cancellation to avoid annual fees
- [ ] Get written confirmation from the gym
- [ ] Monitor your bank statements for 2-3 months after canceling
- [ ] Block the merchant if charges continue
- [ ] Dispute unauthorized charges with your bank
Bottom Line
The single most important step in canceling a gym membership is sending a certified letter — it creates undeniable proof of your cancellation. Most gyms that make cancellation difficult will comply once you have a paper trail. If they don't, a merchant block through your bank stops the billing immediately.
Sources
- FTC consumer protection guidelines for subscription services
- State-specific gym membership cancellation laws
