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Can't cancel a gym membership

You asked the gym to cancel your membership, and they either ignored you, said no, or kept charging you anyway. It feels like a bait-and-switch, and you are probably frustrated and unsure if you have any real power here. The truth is that this situation is common, and there is a clear, step-by-step path you can follow to push back.

The honest reality

Not every frustrating contract term or billing mistake gives you a legal claim. What separates a real issue from a bad experience is whether the gym violated its own stated cancellation policy, failed to honor a written or recorded cancellation request, or enforced a hidden term that a reasonable person would not have expected. If you simply changed your mind or missed a deadline in the contract, your options are narrower.

Your real options, cheapest first

1. Free: complain to the regulator. Many states have specific consumer-protection rules just for health club and gym contracts, including cancellation rights and cooling-off periods, and a state AG complaint is free. your state Attorney General's consumer protection division is where to start.
2. A demand letter. Send the cancellation in writing, not just in person or by phone, by the method the contract specifies, and keep proof of when you sent it; most disputes come down to proving you actually tried.
3. Small claims court. Wrongful charges after a documented cancellation attempt are a straightforward small claims case, or can sometimes be reversed as an unauthorized charge with your card issuer. No lawyer required; see our pro se guide.
4. A lawsuit. A gym that keeps billing many members past cancellation may be worth reporting as a pattern to the state AG in addition to your individual small claims case.

You don't need a lawyer to start

You are allowed to do this yourself

A regulator complaint, a demand letter, and small claims court are all built for people without lawyers. Read our pro se guide for how self-representation actually works, our small claims guide for that specific process, and if a lawyer's cost is the blocker at any stage, our can't-afford-a-lawyer triage covers every free and low-cost path, including legal aid.

Questions

Can they really keep charging me after I asked to cancel?

It depends on the cancellation method you used and what your contract says. If you followed the gym’s stated procedure, like sending a written request or canceling in person, and they still billed you, that is a clear problem. If you only told a front-desk employee or sent a text, the gym may argue they never got a proper request.

What if I signed a contract that says I have to pay for a full year?

A contract term is not automatically enforceable just because you signed it. If the term was buried in fine print, not explained to you, or if the gym made it nearly impossible to cancel, you may have grounds to challenge it. However, if the term was clear and you agreed to it freely, the gym can likely hold you to it.

What is the first thing I should do right now?

Send a written cancellation request using a method that creates a record, certified mail, email with a read receipt, or an in-person form you keep a copy of. State your name, membership number, the date you want the cancellation to take effect, and reference the gym’s own cancellation policy. Keep a copy of everything.

Not legal advice and not a law firm. We don't predict outcomes, and deadlines and dollar thresholds vary by state and by claim, check your state's page before you rely on any number. If you can get a lawyer or free legal aid, do: start at lsc.gov.