How to cancel your gym membership at 5 popular chains

Katie Teague
treadmill without people in a gym
Sorry, but you're not done sweating it out: You may have to jump through some hoops to cancel your gym membership. (Getty Images) (Kilito Chan via Getty Images)

Signing up for a gym membership is easy. You walk in, talk to an employee, sign a contract and voila: Near-instant access to loads of workout equipment and other gym perks. When it comes to canceling that gym contract? Well, that's 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 allow you to cancel your membership online, even though you can sign up on their websites. Instead, you have to make a phone call or go to the gym to close out your account — likely so they can talk you into keeping your contract a bit longer.

Here's how to get out of a gym membership at five popular chains. If your gym isn't listed, we recommend calling your local club for its cancellation policy.

Each Anytime Fitness location has its own cancellation policy since each club is independently owned. The membership agreement you signed when joining should have all the information you need on how to cancel, including any applicable cancellation fees. There's no way to cancel your membership online, so you'll either 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 current before you can cancel. It also said a member "may cancel for any reason during the initial agreement term by paying a $250 early termination fee with a 30-day written notice hand delivered to a manager or team member at the club." However, the policy at your club might be different, so read your contract.

Much 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 can visit your home club in person to cancel your membership or send a written notice by mail requesting to cancel. 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 what exactly you need to do.

Also note that if your Planet Fitness membership has a minimum term (for instance, 12 months) and you cancel your membership before that term ends, you'll be required to pay a $58 buyout fee.

The process to cancel your Gold's Gym membership varies depending on your location. You'll either have to contact your gym via phone or email, or go in person to cancel. If you're 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's locations require a 30-day written notice to cancel. Also, if you cancel during the term you signed up for, you may have to pay an early cancellation fee unless you can provide proof that you're moving more than 25 miles away or have a doctor's note saying you're unable to work out.

a couple of people at the gym talking to the receptionist
Some gyms require you to visit in person to cancel your membership. (Don't expect this many smiles.) (Getty Images) (andresr via Getty Images)

If you're an LA Fitness member, there are multiple ways to cancel your month-to-month membership.

If you cancel by mail, you'll need to print out the cancellation form available in your online account (you can also send in a written cancellation notice). Then, mail the form to P.O. Box 54170, Irvine, CA 92619.

You can also cancel in person by bringing either the cancellation form or a written notice of cancellation to the operations manager at your nearest club. Request a receipt that will serve as proof of cancellation.

Depending on your state, you may be able to cancel by email or online through your account portal. Check your membership agreement or call the club to see whether this option is available.

If you signed up for a membership or personal training sessions with an initial term of three months or more and want to cancel before the end of that term, you may have to pay a termination fee.

There are a few ways to cancel your 24 Hour Fitness membership. You can call 866-308-8179, call your local club or submit this online form to cancel. Note that if you have any add-on memberships, you'll also need to cancel those when you cancel your main account. Otherwise, you'll still accrue charges.

If you cancel before your commitment period is up, you may have to pay a cancellation fee. If your commitment period has ended, future monthly charges will stop.

Check your membership agreement for an explanation of your specific cancellation rights.

Unfortunately, canceling your gym membership online isn't always an option. But that could change with the Federal Trade Commission's proposed click-to-cancel rule. The new rule, if approved, will make it easier for you to cancel your recurring memberships and subscriptions.

"The proposed rule would require that companies make it as easy to cancel a subscription as it is to sign up for one," FTC Chair Lina M. Khan said in a statement. For instance, if you're able to sign up for a gym membership online, you should also be able to cancel it online.

California has already been implementing this rule. So if you live in the Golden State, you may have the option to cancel your membership online if you signed up online.

Most gyms will allow you to cancel your membership over the phone, or at least give you instructions on how to cancel. If you're ready to end your contract but don't have time to visit the gym, simply call your local club.

Be prepared to say why you're leaving and whether you'd stay for a (likely temporarily) lower rate. Have your debit or credit card handy in case you're required to pay a termination fee.

While you may be canceling your gym membership, it's important to stay active. Check out how exercise can impact your mental health and how working out impacts your life.

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