How to Cancel Your Gym Membership (Every Major Gym, 2026)

Updated February 2026 · 10 min read

Gym memberships are notoriously difficult to cancel. Many chains require in-person visits, certified mail, or phone calls — no online cancellation. Here's how to cancel at every major gym in the US, what fees to expect, and your legal rights.

📋 Quick tip: Whatever method you use, always get written confirmation. Take a photo of the cancellation form, save the email, or keep your certified mail receipt. Gyms are the #1 source of "I canceled but they kept charging me" complaints at the FTC.

Gym-by-Gym Cancellation Guide

Planet Fitness

Hard
Price:$10-25/moCancel fee:$58 buyout (annual)Method:In-person OR certified letter only

Cannot cancel online or by phone. Must visit your home club or send certified letter to your home club address. Annual fee ($49) is non-refundable.

LA Fitness

Hard
Price:$30-40/moCancel fee:None (month-to-month)Method:In-person OR certified letter

Must cancel at the front desk or mail certified letter to: LA Fitness, P.O. Box 54170, Irvine, CA 92619. 30 days notice required.

Equinox

Hard
Price:$200-350/moCancel fee:50% of remaining contractMethod:Email or in-person

Email cancel@equinox.com with 45 days notice. Annual commitment required. Early termination = 50% of remaining months. The most expensive gym to leave.

Anytime Fitness

Medium
Price:$30-50/moCancel fee:$50-150 (varies by franchise)Method:In-person at your home gym

Each location is independently owned — policies vary. Some allow email cancellation, others require in-person. Always get written confirmation.

24 Hour Fitness

Medium
Price:$30-50/moCancel fee:None (month-to-month)Method:Online, phone, or in-person

Log in at 24hourfitness.com → My Account → Cancel. One of the easier gyms to cancel. 30 days notice for month-to-month.

Crunch Fitness

Medium
Price:$10-30/moCancel fee:$175 buyout (annual)Method:In-person or certified letter

Visit your home club or mail certified letter. Base membership ($10/mo) is month-to-month and easier to cancel.

Gold's Gym

Medium
Price:$25-40/moCancel fee:Varies by locationMethod:In-person at home gym

Franchise-owned — each location has different policies. Some require 30-60 days notice. Ask for written confirmation.

Orangetheory

Medium
Price:$59-169/moCancel fee:None (30 days notice)Method:In-person or email

Must give 30 days written notice. Email your home studio or tell the front desk. You'll be charged for one more billing cycle.

Lifetime Fitness

Easy
Price:$80-250/moCancel fee:None (month-to-month)Method:Online, phone, or in-person

Cancel through My Account online or call 1-888-430-6432. 30 days notice. One of the more transparent gym chains.

YMCA

Easy
Price:$30-80/moCancel fee:NoneMethod:In-person, phone, or online

Call your local Y or cancel at the front desk. Most Ys are very accommodating. Some offer financial assistance instead of cancellation.

Blink Fitness

Easy
Price:$15-30/moCancel fee:$25 (annual only)Method:In-person or certified letter

Visit your home club or send certified letter. Month-to-month members can cancel anytime.

Snap Fitness

Medium
Price:$30-45/moCancel fee:Varies by franchiseMethod:In-person at home gym

Franchise-owned. Most require in-person visit. Some locations allow email cancellation. Get everything in writing.

Certified Letter Template

Many gyms accept (or require) a certified letter. Here's a template you can copy:

[Your Name]

[Your Address]

[City, State, ZIP]

[Date]

[Gym Name]

[Gym Address / Corporate P.O. Box]

Re: Membership Cancellation — Account #[Your Member Number]

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to formally request the cancellation of my gym membership, effective immediately (or at the end of my current billing period).

Member Name: [Your Full Name]
Member Number: [Account Number]
Home Club: [Location Name]
Email on file: [Your Email]

Please confirm this cancellation in writing to the address above or via email at [your email]. Please cease all billing to my payment method on file.

Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]

Send via USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt (costs ~$8). This gives you legal proof of delivery that the gym cannot dispute. Keep the green receipt card.

Your Legal Rights

If the Gym Won't Stop Charging You

  1. Document everything — screenshot cancellation confirmation, keep certified mail receipts
  2. Call your bank — dispute the charges as "services canceled by consumer." Banks almost always side with cardholders.
  3. Get a new card number — ask your bank to issue a new card to prevent future charges
  4. File complaints:
  5. Small claims court — for persistent cases, you can sue for the unauthorized charges plus damages (usually under $200 filing fee)

Gym membership is just one subscription. What else are you paying for?

Upload your bank statement — we'll find every recurring charge with cancel links.

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