If resolving gym memberships still feels like solving a puzzle, it turns out there’s a good reason — and change may finally be coming. The FTC has just launched a full-throttle response to protect consumers from one of the most common complaints: gym memberships that refuse to quit.
A Lawsuit Heard Across 600+ Clubs
The Federal Trade Commission has filed suit in California federal court against Fitness International LLC — the parent company of LA Fitness, Esporta Fitness, City Sports Club, and Club Studio. The complaint alleges that Fitness International’s cancellation policies are a maze of unnecessary hurdles, costing members “hundreds of millions” in unwanted recurring charges.
Consumers report repeatedly hitting dead ends: required login credentials that rarely worked, tracking down a specific staff manager only at inconvenient hours, or paying for certified mail just to submit a printed cancellation form. Not only were those paths opaque, the FTC described them as “complicated, demanding — far from simple”.
The FTC Isn’t Holding Back
Christopher Mufarrige, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, captured the public’s frustration perfectly: “The complaint describes a scenario that too many Americans have experienced — a gym membership that seems impossible to cancel.”.
This lawsuit marks the FTC’s latest move in its campaign against weighty subscription practices — even after its “click-to-cancel” rule was overturned by the courts earlier this summer. Despite the rule being struck down, the FTC continues enforcing existing laws like the FTC Act and ROSCA, proving that it’s not backing down.
Fitness International Fires Back
Fitness International hasn’t held back in response. Jill Hill, president of club operations, called the lawsuit “without merit” and argued that the ROSCA law, which the FTC cites, was never meant for gyms — only online retail. Hill also noted that online cancellation has been available for “stand-alone” contracts for over 18 months.
Still, the FTC calls that online option inadequate and buried—especially given that mobile app cancellations remain unavailable.
What It Means for Gym Owners
Even without new rules, gyms should rethink their cancellation paths. The message is clear: making memberships hard to cancel isn’t just bad for members—it may now be illegal. The FTC’s action signals growing scrutiny, and members are finally getting the benefit of the doubt.
