How to cancel a gym membership in 2026
The federal click-to-cancel rule isn't in force in 2026. What California, New York, Illinois and New York City require, plus the cancel and annual-fee rules of five big gym chains. Rules as of Oct 25, 2026.
Rules as of Oct 25, 2026. Gym policies as of Oct 25, 2026, from each chain's own pages.
By Sloane Glitchford, Founder
The federal "click to cancel" rule is not in force. The FTC's 2024 update to its Negative Option Rule was struck down by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit on July 8, 2025, which wrote: "we grant the petitions for review and vacate the Rule" (Custom Communications, Inc. v. FTC, No. 24-3137, opinion PDF). On Feb 12, 2026, the FTC restored the older version of the rule (Federal Register Doc. 2026-02866, 91 FR 6507, Feb 12, 2026). So cancelling a gym membership in 2026 depends on your contract, your state or city, and your gym's own rules. Here's what the law says where it's clearest, and what five big chains say on their own pages.
This is general information, not legal advice. Laws and gym policies change; check your contract and the official links on this page.
The short answer
- Read your agreement first. It sets your notice period, any cancellation or buyout fee, and when the annual fee bills.
- Cancel the way your contract or state allows, online if you can, and well before your next billing date and annual-fee date.
- Keep proof: a confirmation email, a screenshot, or a mail receipt.
- Some places require online cancellation. California and Illinois do for memberships you signed up for online, New York State does for health clubs that sell online, and New York City's rule took effect Oct 1, 2026.
Is there a federal "click to cancel" rule for gyms in 2026?
No. Here's where things stand, from the court and the Federal Register.
| Date | What happened | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 8, 2025 | The Eighth Circuit vacated the FTC's 2024 amended Negative Option Rule (the "click to cancel" rule), finding the FTC hadn't followed required procedures. | 8th Cir. No. 24-3137 (PDF) |
| Feb 12, 2026 | The FTC restored the rule's text "as it existed before the effective date of the Commission's 2024 final rule." "This rule is effective February 12, 2026." | 91 FR 6507 (Doc. 2026-02866) |
| Mar 13, 2026 | The FTC published an advance notice of proposed rulemaking asking whether to adopt rules about online subscriptions and cancellations. Comments closed Apr 13, 2026. | 91 FR 12318 (Doc. 2026-04952) |
| Oct 25, 2026 | No proposed or final rule since then in the Federal Register. The federal regulatory agenda lists the rulemaking at the "Prerule Stage." | Unified Agenda, RIN 3084-AB84 |
What still applies federally: for memberships sold online, the Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act requires a seller to provide "simple mechanisms for a consumer to stop recurring charges" (15 U.S.C. 8403).
The FTC's case against LA Fitness's operators (pending)
In August 2025, the FTC sued Fitness International, LLC and Fitness & Sports Clubs, LLC, which operate LA Fitness and other gym chains, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The FTC alleges the companies made it very difficult for members to cancel, for example by limiting in-person cancellation to one specific employee, and alleges these practices violate the FTC Act and the Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act (FTC press release, Aug 20, 2025). These are allegations. Court docket: First Amended Complaint filed Dec 23, 2025 (ECF 36/37, FTC v. Fitness International, LLC, No. 8:25-cv-01841 (C.D. Cal.)). The FTC's case page lists the case as pending, as of Oct 25, 2026 (FTC case page). In the FTC's words, "The case will be decided by the court."
State and city rules that require easier cancellation
These are the places we checked against the official text. The wording below is quoted from the law or rule.
| Where | What the law says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| California | If you signed up online, the business "shall allow a consumer to terminate the automatic renewal or continuous service exclusively online, at will." Separately, California health studio contracts must include a right to cancel before midnight of the fifth business day after you sign, by mail, email or in person. | Bus. & Prof. Code 17602(d), Civ. Code 1812.85(b) |
| New York State | "If a health club allows a buyer to enter into a contract for services through a website, such health club shall accept a notice of cancellation of such contract through such website." Health clubs must also accept notice by "website, electronic mail, telephone, mail, or in person." | Gen. Bus. Law 624(4)(c), (d) |
| New York City | DCWP's "Click to Cancel" rule took effect Oct 1, 2026. A business must let you cancel "through all mediums by which the business allows a consumer to provide affirmative consent," and if you signed up in person it must also "offer cancellation through an online mechanism, such as a website or email." Penalties start at $525, and you can file a complaint with DCWP. This rule covers New York City, not the rest of the state. | NYC rule, 6 RCNY 5-110.1, rule text (PDF), nyc.gov/click-to-cancel |
| Illinois | "A consumer who accepts an automatic renewal or continuous service offer online must be allowed to terminate the automatic renewal or continuous service exclusively online." | 815 ILCS 601/10(b-5) |
| Massachusetts | Health club contracts must state that you can cancel "without any penalty or further obligation" by written notice delivered in person or sent by certified or registered mail "within three (3) business days" of the contract. | G.L. c.93, §81 |
Not your state? Search your attorney general's or consumer protection office's site for its health club or automatic renewal law. We only list places we checked.
How to cancel at the big gym chains (their own rules)
Quoted from each chain's own help or policy pages, as of Oct 25, 2026. Many clubs are franchised or set their own fees, so your agreement and your club are the final word.
| Chain | How to cancel (their words) | Notice before billing | Annual fee and other fees | Source (as of Oct 25, 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 Hour Fitness | Its public cancel page offers a retention discount, then a "No thanks I'd still like to cancel my membership" link to the account cancel screen (sign-in required). "For members with limited-term or prepaid memberships, please come see a team member in club or contact us." | Not stated on the public pages we read (as of Oct 25, 2026). Check your agreement or club. | Homepage offer fine print: "$69.99 Annual Fee required." During a freeze, "you will still be required to pay an Annual Fee." | cancel page, homepage, member policies |
| Anytime Fitness | "All cancellation policies are outlined in the membership agreement for each location. The agreement covers the cost to cancel, how to cancel and more information on any additional termination fees you may incur." | Set by your location's agreement. Check your agreement or club. | No annual fee is stated on its US FAQ (as of Oct 25, 2026). Locations are "independently owned and operated," so check your agreement or club. | FAQs (Freeze, Cancel and Transfer) |
| Crunch | "Some clubs offer online cancellation through your Member Portal under Manage Membership. Otherwise, contact your club directly by phone or in person." "Cancellation policies vary by location based on state and local guidelines." | "May vary based on the terms of your Membership Agreement." | Crunch Fitness: "The annual fee varies depending on your homeclub, up to $89." Crunch Signature: "$89+tax," charged "three months after you first join and every year." | Crunch FAQ |
| LA Fitness | Most memberships "may be cancelled at any time (1) by mailing written notice of cancellation to P.O. Box 54170, Irvine, CA 92619 ... (2) in person at a club ... or (3) via your online account or as may otherwise be provided in your agreement." It recommends registered or certified mail. | "A mailed cancellation form postmarked at least 5 business days before your next billing date should result in no further billings." | Varies by club. Example: one California club's join page lists a "$69.00 Annual Fee," billed "14 days after enrollment date and each year thereafter." Cancelling before the end of an initial term: "a termination fee will apply." | membership questions, example club join page |
| Planet Fitness | "You can send written notification via mail to your home club requesting to end your membership, visit your home club in person, or log into your account online through the member portal on the website. Some policies and procedures may vary by location based on state and local guidelines." | Planet Fitness says: "to stop the billing of your monthly membership on your next billing date, cancel your membership at least 7 days before your next billing date." | "Subject to an annual fee of $49. Prices may vary depending on location." "To stop the billing of the annual fee, you must cancel your membership at least 7 days prior to the annual fee date." Ending a minimum-term membership early: "a $58 buyout fee is required." | customer service, membership page |
Beat the annual fee: the dates that matter
An annual fee bills on its own date, separate from monthly dues. Cancelling after it bills may not get it back, so check your date first.
- 24 Hour Fitness: we didn't find a fee date on its public pages. Check your agreement or ask your club.
- Anytime Fitness: no annual fee is stated on its US FAQ. Check your agreement or club.
- Crunch: the Crunch Signature fee comes "three months after you first join and every year." Crunch suggests contacting your club for your date.
- LA Fitness: at the example club, the fee is billed 14 days after you join and yearly after that. Your club may differ.
- Planet Fitness: "To stop the billing of the annual fee, you must cancel your membership at least 7 days prior to the annual fee date."
Step-by-step: how to cancel
- Find your agreement and note your next billing date and annual-fee date.
- Pick a method your contract or local law allows. If you signed up online in California, Illinois or (for health clubs) New York, the law says you can cancel online.
- Send it early. Notice periods run from a few days to longer, and mailed notices take time.
- Keep proof: the confirmation email or number, a screenshot, or a certified-mail receipt.
- Check your next statement. If you're charged after cancelling, contact the gym in writing with your proof, then your card issuer or bank.
- Still stuck? File a complaint with your state attorney general or consumer protection office, or with DCWP in New York City.
We can't promise how a gym will respond; these steps make your request clear and documented.
Moving or injured?
In New York, a health club contract must let you cancel if you become "significantly physically disabled for a period in excess of three months," or move "to a location more than twenty-five miles from a health club operated by the seller" (Gen. Bus. Law 624(3)). Elsewhere, check your agreement for move or medical terms.
Freeze instead of cancel?
- LA Fitness lets you freeze a month-to-month membership for $10 per month.
- 24 Hour Fitness: during a freeze, "you will still be required to pay an Annual Fee."
- Anytime Fitness: to suspend or hold a membership, "reach out directly to your home club."
Trimming other subscriptions
Cancelling other subscriptions too? See how the Audible free trial works and how to cancel it, the free trials we've checked, and streaming price increases for 2026.
Fighting a different kind of add-on charge? See our guide to automatic gratuity and restaurant service charges.
Sources (rules as of Oct 25, 2026; chain pages as of Oct 25, 2026)
- Federal: 8th Cir. opinion, No. 24-3137 (Jul 8, 2025), 91 FR 6507 (Feb 12, 2026), 91 FR 12318 (Mar 13, 2026), Unified Agenda RIN 3084-AB84, 15 U.S.C. 8403
- FTC v. Fitness International: court docket, No. 8:25-cv-01841 (C.D. Cal.), ECF 36/37, FTC case page, FTC press release
- States and city: Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 17602, Cal. Civ. Code 1812.85, N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law 624, NYC DCWP rule, nyc.gov/click-to-cancel, 815 ILCS 601/10, Mass. G.L. c.93 §81
- Chains: 24 Hour Fitness cancel page, 24 Hour Fitness homepage, 24 Hour Fitness member policies, Anytime Fitness FAQs, Crunch FAQ, LA Fitness membership questions, LA Fitness example club, Planet Fitness customer service, Planet Fitness memberships
This is general information, not legal advice. Laws and gym policies change; check your contract and the official links on this page.
Quick answers
Is the FTC click-to-cancel rule in effect in 2026?
No. The Eighth Circuit vacated the FTC's 2024 rule on July 8, 2025 (No. 24-3137), and the FTC restored the older rule effective Feb 12, 2026 (91 FR 6507). As of Oct 25, 2026, no new proposed or final rule has been published.
Does click to cancel apply to gyms?
Not at the federal level right now. Some state and city laws do require online or same-method cancellation, including California, Illinois, New York State (for health clubs that sell online) and New York City since Oct 1, 2026.
Can I cancel my gym membership online?
It depends on your gym and where you live. Planet Fitness and LA Fitness list an online account option, Crunch says some clubs offer online cancellation, and in California and Illinois a membership you bought online must be cancellable online.
Do I have to pay a fee to cancel a gym membership?
Check your agreement. Planet Fitness says a $58 buyout fee applies when a minimum-term membership ends early, LA Fitness says a termination fee applies before the end of an initial term, and Anytime Fitness says each location's agreement covers the cost to cancel.
Can I cancel my gym membership if I move?
In New York, yes, if you move more than 25 miles from a club operated by the seller. Elsewhere, check your agreement.
Should I cancel by certified mail?
If you cancel by mail, a tracked method gives you proof. LA Fitness recommends registered or certified mail, and Massachusetts' 3-day cancellation notice can be sent by certified or registered mail.
Is this legal advice?
No. This is general information, not legal advice. Laws and gym policies change; check your contract and the official links on this page.
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