How to Get Out of a Gym Contract

You signed up for that gym membership with the best of intentions, but now you want to break the gym contract because you rarely go there to workout or can't afford it any longer. Although the gym contract seems iron clad, you do have a few options to cancel your health club membership. Consider these tips when trying to get out of a gym contract.

Instructions

1

Calculate how much time has gone by since you signed up at the gym. Most gym franchises and states allow you to get out of a gym contract without penalty within a certain number of days after you enroll. Check with your county's Department of Consumer Affairs for the Civil Code relating to gym contracts. Some stipulate conditions under which you can get out of a gym contract and receive a refund even after the initial cancellation period has passed.

2

Search for the cancellation clause in your membership contract. Depending on the gym franchise, the cancellation fee might be manageable or waived entirely, particularly if you have a specific reason to get out of the gym contract like a medical disability or if you've moved out of the area.

3

Speak to a manager or call the gym's headquarters or parent company to discuss the gym membership cancellation if you're not making headway in person. Present the reasons why you need to break the gym membership and mention any Civil Codes you've uncovered to support your case, for example

4

Submit a cancellation letter when you do break a health club contract and retain a copy for your records. Indicate the date you joined, the reason you need to get out of the gym contract, your final date and the action you expect the gym franchise to take (such as halting the automatic withdrawals from your checking account or monthly charges on your credit card. Also include the names of any health club employees that you talked to during the cancellation process.