LA Fitness faces lawsuit over challenging gym membership cancellations

FTC Sues LA Fitness Over Difficult Membership Cancellations

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has filed a lawsuit against the operators of LA Fitness, asserting that customers find it “very difficult” to cancel their memberships.

Fitness International and Fitness & Sports Clubs, which run gym chains like LA Fitness, eSporta Fitness, City Sports Club, and Club Studio, are accused of illegally charging customers hundreds of millions of dollars due to their complicated cancellation processes.

“Cancelling gym memberships has been an ongoing struggle for many Americans,” FTC chairman Andrew N. Ferguson stated in a recent interview. He pointed out that the issue has been so prominent that even the show “Friends” did an entire episode on the challenges of canceling gym memberships.

Many former members of LA Fitness report significant difficulties when trying to cancel their contracts.

The FTC claims that members are often required to speak with specific managers who may not be available, and those attempting to cancel via email face numerous obstacles.

“Our complaints are focused on how the cancellation process is inaccessible to consumers,” Ferguson mentioned.

He elaborated, saying that members might need to submit a cancellation form by mail or physically visit a gym location, often encountering hurdles like having to speak to a specific person who is rarely present.

“This lawsuit aims to improve the situation for Americans, helping them save money on memberships they no longer wish to maintain,” Ferguson added.

The FTC is seeking a court order to ensure that funds are returned to impacted consumers and to halt unfair practices.

In response, Jill Hill, president of club operations at Fitness International, expressed confidence, stating, “We are committed to following all state laws regarding membership cancellations and ensuring that we provide the necessary cancellation options required by each state.”

Membership fees at Fitness International and Fitness & Sports Clubs can reach up to $299 a month, with additional services available.

The FTC, which aims to eliminate unfair business practices, has previously targeted subscription models and recurring charges that are hard to cancel.