How to Cancel Anytime Fitness Membership
(2026 Guide)

Anytime Fitness doesn't let you cancel online, cancel by phone, or cancel by email. You must submit written notice — in person or by certified mail. That's the policy across virtually all of their 5,000+ US locations, and it's been that way for years.

This guide covers the exact cancellation process, what your contract actually says about fees and notice periods, the franchise-specific wrinkle that trips up most members, and what state law says about your right to cancel regardless of what the gym tells you.

Anytime Fitness Cancellation Policy (2026)

Anytime Fitness operates as a franchise. That means each club is individually owned, and while corporate policies set the floor, your specific club's agreement may have additional terms. Always check your original membership agreement first.

Month-to-month members can cancel with 30 days written notice and no cancellation fee. Annual commitment members are the ones who hit complications — if you're inside your commitment period, most locations charge an Early Termination Fee (ETF) that ranges from $100 to $200+ depending on how many months remain and your local franchise's specific agreement.

Step-by-Step: How to Cancel Anytime Fitness

Common Gotchas at Anytime Fitness

The annual fee timing trap

Many Anytime Fitness members pay an annual enhancement fee (typically $30–$50) once per year, billed on their membership anniversary or a specific calendar date. If this fee is scheduled within your 30-day notice window, you will likely still be charged. Review your contract to see when this fee posts. Time your cancellation to avoid overlapping with it, or dispute it if you've already submitted your cancellation notice before the fee date.

Early Termination Fees (ETFs) for annual members

If you're inside an annual commitment period, Anytime Fitness clubs can charge an ETF. The amount varies by franchise and contract, but typically ranges from $100 to half your remaining monthly dues. However — if you qualify under your state's gym cancellation laws (see below), the ETF cannot be enforced. State law trumps franchise contract terms.

The "verbal cancel" scam

Some members report telling staff at the desk that they want to cancel, receiving verbal confirmation, and then getting billed for another 2–3 months. No written letter was submitted, no certified mail was sent. The club denied the conversation happened. Written documentation is not optional — it's your only protection.

Cancellation at the wrong club

Anytime Fitness requires you to cancel at your home club — the specific location where you originally enrolled. If you've been working out at a different location, that club cannot process your cancellation. You must submit to your home club, even if it's inconvenient. Check your contract for the home club designation.

State Law Protections

Most states have gym membership cancellation laws that override whatever your contract says. These laws exist specifically because gyms were historically predatory with contract terms. The most common protections allow you to cancel without penalty for:

• Medical reasons — with a physician's written certification
• Relocation — if you move more than a specified distance (typically 25 miles) from any club
• Gym closure — if your home club permanently closes
• Disability or death — immediate family member in many states

Key state statutes: California Civil Code § 1812.83–1812.84, Texas Occupations Code § 702.401–702.402, Florida Statutes § 501.016, New York GBL § 624. If you're in one of these states and qualify under any exception, cite the statute in your cancellation letter. Anytime Fitness cannot charge an ETF when a valid state law exception applies.

Not sure which statute applies in your state? GotchaBro automatically identifies your state's gym cancellation law and includes the correct citation in your letter.

What If Anytime Fitness Ignores Your Cancellation?

If Anytime Fitness continues charging you after your confirmed cancellation date, you have several options:

1. Contact your home club directly — show your proof of delivery and written confirmation. Ask for a refund of any charges billed after your effective cancellation date.
2. File a chargeback with your bank or credit card — provide your certified mail tracking, return receipt, and any written confirmation. This is a strong case for unauthorized charges.
3. File a complaint with your state attorney general — most states have a consumer protection division. Gym contract violations are a common complaint category and often result in resolution.
4. CFPB complaint — at consumerfinance.gov, especially if credit/debit billing was mishandled.
5. FTC complaint — at reportfraud.ftc.gov

Documented cancellation with a certified mail paper trail makes all of these processes straightforward. Without documentation, you're relying on the gym's word — which historically doesn't go well.