How to Cancel LA Fitness Membership (2026) — Certified Mail Required
Updated 2026-02-14 · 6 min read
LA Fitness is one of the most complained-about gyms for cancellation difficulty. They require certified mail or in-person visits — no phone, no email, no online cancellation. And they're known for "losing" cancellation requests. Here's the bulletproof method.
⚠️ LA Fitness Dark Pattern: They don't accept cancellations by phone, email, or online. The ONLY reliable methods are certified mail or in-person at your home club. Many members report their in-person cancellations being "lost" — always get written confirmation.
Method 1: Certified Mail (Most Reliable)
Send via USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt to:
LA Fitness Member Services P.O. Box 54170 Irvine, CA 92619-4170
Your letter must include:
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Date]
LA Fitness Member Services
P.O. Box 54170
Irvine, CA 92619-4170
RE: Membership Cancellation
I hereby cancel my LA Fitness membership effective immediately.
Member Name: [Full Name]
Member ID: [Your ID — find on your key tag or app]
Home Club: [Club Name and Address]
Date of Birth: [DOB]
Phone: [Phone on file]
Please confirm cancellation in writing to the address above.
Sincerely,
[Signature]
[Printed Name]
💡 Pro Tip: Keep the USPS certified mail receipt AND the green return receipt card. These are your legal proof that LA Fitness received your cancellation. If they keep charging you, file a BBB complaint with these receipts attached — LA Fitness responds to BBB complaints within days.
Method 2: In-Person at Your Home Club
Visit your home club (must be the location on your membership)
Ask the front desk for a cancellation form
Fill it out completely
Get a photocopy of the signed form — do NOT leave without this
Ask for the manager's name and employee ID
Take a photo of the form on your phone
LA Fitness Cancellation Timeline
Processing time: 5-7 business days after receipt
Final charge: You'll be billed for the current month — LA Fitness does NOT prorate
Initiation fee: Non-refundable ($99-$199 depending on when you joined)
Annual fee: If charged within 5 days of cancellation, may be refundable — ask
If They Keep Charging You After Canceling
This is extremely common with LA Fitness. Here's the escalation path:
Call member services: 949-255-7200 — reference your certified mail receipt number
File a BBB complaint:bbb.org — LA Fitness responds to these quickly
Dispute with your bank: Show the certified mail receipt as proof of cancellation
State Attorney General: File a consumer complaint — some states have gym-specific protections
🏦 Nuclear Option: If LA Fitness won't stop charging after cancellation, call your bank and request a new debit/credit card number. This cuts off all future charges. Then dispute the unauthorized charges.
Cheaper Alternatives
Planet Fitness: $10-25/mo — basic but clean, no contracts
Crunch Fitness: $10-30/mo — more equipment than PF, group classes included
YMCA: $30-80/mo — pool, classes, community. Sliding scale pricing.
Anytime Fitness: $40-50/mo — 24/7 access, smaller but always open
LA Fitness isn't the only subscription you're overpaying for.
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