Q&A for How to Get Out of a Gym Contract

If you write a notarized letter informing them of your understanding that you were going to have access to the gym in January and agreed to the terms in good faith, they should let you out of the contract. If not, consult an attorney.

Claim that you're moving, and demand to speak to a manager or supervisor. There is no legal reason they have to cancel your membership, but if you become more trouble than you're worth, they will probably do it.

Generally, no. I think you are stating that you NEVER signed anything. If you never signed anything, including a statement that this second person is authorized to enter into such contractual agreements on your behalf, the gym will probably bill you but they cannot legally enforce the contract that you did not sign. If you verbally authorized the person to enter into contractual agreements on your behalf, you are still obligated, but the gym would need proof. I am not an attorney.

No, most gyms require cancellation in person at the club.

Most gym contracts are 6, 12 or 18 months. It's highly unlikely that you signed up for a contract that goes for over 3 years. Contact your gym and ask them for a copy of your contract, and that should outline the cancellation procedure on there.

If it's not specifically required in the terms of the contract you signed, it is not a legal requirement. Depending on your state, there may be further restrictions on the gym. If your disabilities prohibit you from using the gym as intended when you signed, you should be released from future obligations and you can't be charged a cancellation fee, even if expected to recover. You may be due a refund for any prepaid services. Look up contract law in your state, request a copy of your contract, place applicable demands on them, know your rights and always be assertive.

You have not signed a contract, so there is no contract to get out of. Call the gym and tell them you're no longer interested. If they charge you anyway, call the card company and contest the charges.

They probably can't cancel the membership if there is a balance because they would lose the record of that charge. If you are not able to pay in full now, talk to the gym about freezing your account; tell them you cannot pay the debt now but don't want to accrue any more debt in the meantime. Then discuss a timeline for paying off your balance and cancel when the account is current.

Unlikely, but only that specific gym can answer this question.

It depends on the terms of the contract you signed. Most contracts allow you to cancel in the case of death, injury or relocating further than 25 miles from any location that they can transfer your membership to. Be honest with them and tell them you feel like it's not a good fit and would like to come to agreeable terms to cancel.

Memberships are not under a credit card; they are under a person's name. So if you signed the contract, you are legally obligated to pay. Is the reason you can no longer use it temporary (e.g a medical condition)? Many times, they will put your membership under a temporary freeze until you're able to make use of it again.

Signing a gym membership contract is really no different than signing a rent or mortgage contract. You must follow through or they will pursue the debt through collections or whatever means they legally have to collect. If you're having trouble paying for it, consider using a credit card or borrowing some money.

Nothing. If there’s no policy, there’s no obligation to be refunded.

Gyms won’t "refuse" to cancel your membership. Generally there is either an outstanding balance, you need to pay some sort of exit fee, or they need you to sign something in person.