Signing up for a gym is easy. You walk in, speak to an employee, sign a contract and that’s it: almost instant access to various fitness equipment and other gym perks. When it comes to canceling your gym contract? Well, this is more advanced. Whether you’re moving or just don’t go often enough, the steps you need to take can be more challenging than leg day—ouch.
Popular gyms, including Anytime Fitness and Planet Fitness, don’t let you cancel your membership online, even though you can sign up on their websites. Instead, you’ll have to make a phone call or go to the gym to close your account – presumably so they can convince you to keep your contract for a little while longer.
Here’s how to cancel a gym membership at five popular chains. If your gym is not listed, we recommend calling your local club to find out their cancellation policy.
How to cancel a gym membership on Anytime Fitness
Each Anytime Fitness location has its own cancellation policy as each club is independently owned. The membership agreement you signed when joining must contain all necessary information about how to cancel, including any applicable cancellation fees. There’s no way to cancel your membership online, so you’ll need to call the gym or visit in person.
A contract posted by a frustrated Reddit user who was a member of an Anytime Fitness gym, said the account needs to be up to date before canceling. It also said a member “may cancel for any reason during the initial contract term by paying a $250 early termination fee with 30 days written notice hand-delivered to a manager or club staff member.” . However, your club’s policy may be different, so read your contract.
How to cancel a gym membership at Planet Fitness
Like Anytime Fitness, Planet Fitness’ cancellation policies vary by location. The chain recommends contacting your local gym to get the correct policy.
Planet Fitness notes that for most locations, you may visit your home club in person to cancel your membership or mail a written notice requesting cancellation. However, you may be eligible to cancel your membership online depending on your membership type and the location of your home gym. We recommend calling your local gym to find out exactly what you need to do.
Please also note that if your Planet Fitness subscription has a minimum term (e.g. 12 months) and you cancel your subscription before that term ends, you will be charged a $58 purchase fee.
How to cancel a Gold’s Gym gym membership
The process for canceling your Gold’s Gym membership varies depending on your location. You will have to contact your gym by phone or email or go in person to cancel. If you are a member of Gold’s Gym Camas, Vancouver Mall, Vancouver Hazel Dell, Tigard, Kirkland or Woodinville (all in Washington state) you can cancel online.
Note that many of the gym locations require a 30-day written notice to cancel. Additionally, if you cancel during the period you signed up, you may have to pay an early cancellation fee unless you provide proof that you are moving more than 25 miles away or have a doctor’s note stating that you are not can exercise. .
How to Cancel a Gym Membership at LA Fitness
If you are a member of LA Fitness, there are several ways to cancel your monthly subscription.
If canceling by mail, you will need to print the cancellation form available in your online account (you can also send written cancellation notice). Then send the form to PO Box 54170, Irvine, CA 92619.
You may also cancel in person by bringing the cancellation form or written notice of cancellation to the nearest club operations manager. Request a receipt that will serve as proof of cancellation.
Depending on your state, you may be able to cancel via email or online through your account portal. Check your membership contract or call the club to see if this option is available.
If you signed up for a subscription or personal training sessions with an initial period of three months or more and wish to cancel before the end of that period, you may be charged a termination fee.
How to cancel a gym membership at 24 Hour Fitness
There are some ways to cancel your 24 Hour Fitness subscription. You can call 866-308-8179, call your local club or submit this form online cancel. Please note that if you have add-on subscriptions, you will also need to cancel them when canceling your main account. Otherwise, you will still accrue charges.
If you cancel before the commitment period ends, you may be charged a cancellation fee. If your commitment period has ended, future monthly charges will stop.
Please check your membership agreement for an explanation of your specific cancellation rights.
How to cancel an online gym membership
Unfortunately, canceling your online gym membership isn’t always an option. But this could change with the Click-to-cancel rule proposed by Federal Trade Commission. The new rule, if approved, will make it easier to cancel subscriptions and recurring subscriptions.
“The proposed rule would require companies to make canceling a subscription as easy as signing up for one,” FTC Chair Lina M. Khan said in a statement. For example, if you can sign up for a gym membership online, you can also cancel it online.
California already implementing this rule. Therefore, if you live in the Golden State, you may have the option to cancel your subscription online if you signed up online.
How to cancel a gym membership over the phone
Most gyms will let you cancel your membership over the phone, or will at least provide instructions on how to cancel. If you’re ready to break your contract but don’t have time to go to the gym, just call your local club.
Be prepared to say why you are leaving and whether you would like to stay at a lower rate (probably temporarily). Have your debit or credit card ready in case you need to pay a termination fee.
While you can cancel your gym membership, it’s important to stay active. See how exercise can affect your mental health and how exercise affects your life.
