Buzz
From temporarily closed gyms to new limits on occupancy and mask mandates, the pandemic has undoubtedly altered our fitness routines. Even if gyms have reopened, you may feel uneasy about exercising indoors among others, especially with the ongoing risk of spreading droplets. If you’ve made the decision to cancel your gym membership—perhaps just until you feel safer—it might not be as easy as you think.
If you're ready to say goodbye to your gym membership for good, here’s how to successfully end your relationship with your fitness center.
Begin by carefully reviewing your gym membership contract to understand the terms and conditions, and to figure out what’s required for cancellation.
Your existing gym contract is likely buried somewhere in your files, whether that’s in a cabinet, drawer, or email inbox. Track it down right away and look for any clauses related to cancellation.
Sadly, many gyms make the cancellation process unnecessarily difficult. They might include clauses requiring you to give a month’s notice, or demand specific conditions like moving, disability, or death to qualify for cancellation. However, there are exceptions—like if your contract was unclear or if you’re a recent member. As Vox points out, many fitness chains are currently battling bankruptcies and lawsuits, so they’re not eager to make cancellations easy, even during the pandemic.
To cancel, you may need to send a certified letter to your gym to prove they received it. Some gyms may require in-person or phone cancellations, so be sure to review your contract or the gym's website for specifics. Keep in mind that cancellation procedures can vary depending on whether the gym is a corporate chain or a franchise, and may differ by membership type.
Equinox
As stated in the FAQ section on its website, Equinox permits members who have been with the gym for over a year to cancel their membership at any time, provided they give appropriate notice (as outlined in one version of the contract, the notice period is 45 days), and do so either by visiting the club, through registered or certified mail, by calling the Concierge line (866-332-6549), or by emailing [email protected]. You will need to pay off the remaining balance in installments to stop the billing process.
If you’ve been a member for less than a year, you must have a valid reason—such as relocating more than 25 miles away from any Equinox gym (you’ll need to provide proof with a utility bill or a letter from your HR department). Alternatively, you can provide a doctor’s note stating that you are unable to work out for six months. If you simply wish to put your membership on hold until you can get vaccinated, a 'freeze' request is possible, though there are certain conditions. According to the FAQ section:
You have the option to freeze your membership once every contractual year for a minimum of one (1) month and a maximum of three (3) consecutive months, in monthly increments, at a cost of $30 per month, payable in advance. Monthly members who are still in their first year of membership will continue to be charged regular monthly fees until they have fulfilled their one-year commitment, after which the freeze fee will apply in full.
Planet Fitness
Planet Fitness's cancellation policy for members in the U.S. is outlined as follows:
You can submit a cancellation form at your home club's front desk or send a letter (preferably via certified mail) to your club requesting to end your membership. Unfortunately, cancellations cannot be processed via email or phone. Keep in mind that your cancellation is subject to the terms and conditions of your membership agreement.
This somewhat ambiguous policy places you at the discretion of your specific agreement with your local franchise. Additionally, policies may vary depending on your location: For instance, in Canada, all you need to do is cancel and provide at least a week's notice before the billing period begins. If you've signed up for a specific commitment period (e.g., a year paid in full) and cancel before the term ends, a $58 fee will apply.
You can avoid cancellation fees if you can provide proof of moving 25 miles away from any Planet Fitness location, if you are disabled, or in the unfortunate event of your death. 'In case of death, your estate must provide written evidence,' the contract specifies, so be sure to inform your family in advance!
24 Hour Fitness
This gym chain, which filed for bankruptcy last June, isn't particularly flexible with its cancellation policies. The FAQ section on their website simply states that you are 'not entitled to cancel your membership' during any 'commitment terms' or prepaid periods, as outlined in your contract. Their special COVID-19 FAQ doesn’t offer much help either, aside from vaguely mentioning:
[Y]ou can
click here
and follow the instructions to submit your cancellation request. Alternatively, you can mail your request to P.O. Box 787, Carlsbad, CA 92018, Attn: Cancel Dept.
If you have a basic month-to-month membership with no minimum term, you should only need to give 24 hours' notice (though the likelihood that you currently have this kind of membership seems... slim). If you're committed to a year-long membership, it may still be possible to cancel, but you might be required to pay 50 percent of the remaining balance on your contract, according to a former 24 Hour Fitness trainer. You can also get out of it through relocation, disability, death, or military deployment.
Write your letter
Once you're familiar with the terms of your contract and if it calls for this type of notification, the next step is to send your certified mail as a letter of intent. What does this look like? Reddit user u/krurran recommended a straightforward template, which includes the following (note that it’s tailored for Planet Fitness members, so make sure to adjust the details for your gym of choice):
Name:
Address:
Phone:
Email:
Date of Birth:
Membership ID:
Last 4 digits of the credit card or checking account linked to your Planet Fitness account:
Agreement #: If available, refer to the email sent when you first signed up.
Additionally, make sure to clearly state your intent to cancel your membership and provide any relevant reasons for your decision.
Speak with the Manager
In some cases, you'll need to speak to a manager in person to complete your cancellation—yes, even in this day and age. At times, they might forget about your letter, so you'll need to follow up right away once you receive confirmation that your letter was received. Be sure to have your contract and proof of certified mail delivery on hand, and be ready to follow up (just a bit).
If you're dealing with a larger gym chain, it’s better to escalate your issue to a higher-level manager rather than a membership advisor. For example, I once canceled an Equinox membership and had multiple confirmations from an advisor that I wouldn’t be charged, but I was charged anyway. After following up and contacting a manager, I received a refund fairly quickly.
Challenge the Charge
'If you’re going to take a shot at this B-, you better not miss.' - Bethenny Frankel, housewife
If the gym continues to pursue you despite completing all the necessary steps, challenge the charge directly with your bank. Request a chargeback, explaining your reasons and citing the contract terms to show that you've met every requirement. The bank should then take action on your behalf. Also, ask them to block any future payments from the gym to prevent further charges.
Whatever you do, don’t cancel your credit card to resolve the issue (the gym might report your 'missing' payments to a collections agency). And make sure to keep a record of everything, including emails—you may need them to untangle the situation in the future.
