🏋 When Can You Cancelar a Gym Membership?

California has some of the strongest protección al consumidor laws for gym and fitness center memberships. Under the Health Studio Servicios Contract Law, I enforce these mandatory cancellation rights that gyms cannot contract around:

Guaranteed Cancellation Rights

5-Day Rescisión

You can cancel ANY gym contract dentro de 5 días of signing for a full reembolso, no questions asked.

Relocation (25+ Miles)

If you move more than 25 miles from the gym or any affiliated location, you must be allowed to cancel.

Medical Disability

Physical disability that prevents gym use requires cancellation with a doctor's note.

Facility Closure

If gym moves 5+ miles or fails to open within 6 months, you can cancel and get a full reembolso.

Why This Law Matters

Unlike many states where gym contracts are binding, California law provides:

  • Maximum 36-month contracts - longer terms are void
  • $2,500 maximum total cost - higher amounts are unenforceable
  • aviso por escrito of cancellation rights - gyms must disclose these rights
  • Private right of action - you can sue for violacións

⚖ California Base Legal

I rely on these California statutes to enforce gym cancellation rights and recover daños.

Estatutos Clave de California

📚

código civil Section 1812.80-1812.98

The Health Studio Servicios Contract Law. Governs all gym, fitness center, and health club memberships. Requires specific contract terms, cancellation rights, and disclosure requirements. Violacións give rise to actual daños plus abogado fees.

📚

código civil Section 1812.85

Mandatory cancellation provisions. Requires gyms to cancel for: (1) death of member; (2) permanent disability; (3) relocation more than 25 miles. Gym can only charge prorated amount through cancellation date.

📚

Business & Professions Code 17600 (ARL)

California Automatic Renewal Law. Requires clear disclosure of renewal terms and easy cancellation. Violacións make post-cancellation charges "unauthorized" and fully refundable.

📚

Business & Professions Code 17200 (UCL)

Unfair Competition Law. Allows recuperación of restitution and injunctive relief for any unlawful, unfair, or fraudulent business practice. Abogado fees available under private abogado general doctrine.

Prescripción

Contract claims: 4 año(s) desde breach. UCL claims: 4 años. CLRA claims: 3 años. The clock starts when the gym first refuses to cancel or makes unauthorized charges.

✅ Lista de Evidencias

I gather this evidencia to build the strongest case for cancellation and refunds.

Documentos del Contrato

  • ✓Original signed membership agreement
  • ✓Any amendments or modifications
  • ✓Welcome packet and disclosures
  • ✓Promotional materials or advertisements

Cancellation Attempts

  • ✓Written cancellation requests (emails, letters)
  • ✓correo certificado receipts
  • ✓Notes from phone calls (date, rep name)
  • ✓Gym's written responses or denials

Supporting Documentation

  • ✓Doctor's note (for medical cancellation)
  • ✓Proof of new address (for relocation)
  • ✓Bank/credit card statements showing charges
  • ✓Collection notices (if sent to collections)

💰 Recoverable Daños

When a gym violates the Health Studio Servicios Contract Law, I can recover these daños:

Damage Type Descripción Amount
Unauthorized Charges All charges made after valid cancellation Full reembolso
Actual Daños Out-of-pocket losses, bank fees, credit harm Varies
Honorarios de Abogado Recoverable under CC 1812.97 Full fees
UCL Restitution Disgorgement of improperly collected fees Full amount

Ejemplo de Cálculo de Daños

Example: Gym refused cancellation after relocation

12 months unauthorized charges ($59/mo)$708
Bank overdraft fees (4 x $35)$140
Collection agency acoso daños$500
Credit report damage (estimated)$1,000
Actual Daños$2,348
Abogado fees (recoverable)+ fees

My Estructura de Honorarios

I handle gym cancellation disputes on the following basis:

  • Flat Fee: Starting at $575 for carta de demanda only
  • Hourly: $240/hr for consultation or extended disputes
  • Contingency: 33-40% for cases with significant daños (typically $5,000+)

📝 Plantilla de Carta de Demanda

I use this template structure when sending gym cancellation demands. Customize the highlighted portions for your specific situation.

Opening - Statutory Cancellation Demand
VÍA CORREO CERTIFICADO CON ACUSE DE RECIBO

[DATE]

[GYM NAME]
[ADDRESS]

RE: Demand for Cancellation and Reembolso - Member [YOUR NAME]
Account Number: [ACCOUNT #]

Dear [GYM MANAGER/OWNER]:

This letter constitutes formal demand for immediate cancellation of my membership and reembolso of all unauthorized charges de conformidad con California código civil Section 1812.80 et seq. (Health Studio Servicios Contract Law).
Relocation Cancellation
On [DATE], I relocated my residence to [NEW ADDRESS], which is more than 25 miles from your facility at [GYM ADDRESS] and from any affiliated location.

de conformidad con código civil Section 1812.85(c), I am entitled to cancel my membership effective immediately. I have enclosed proof of my new address (utility bill/contrato de arrendamiento/driver's license).

Despite my cancellation request submitted on [DATE], you have continued to charge my credit card. These post-cancellation charges are unauthorized and violate both the Health Studio Servicios Contract Law and the Automatic Renewal Law (Bus. & Prof. Code 17600).
Medical Cancellation
Due to a physical disability, I am no longer able to use your gym facilities. Enclosed is a letter from my physician, [DR. NAME], confirming that I am unable to engage in physical exercise at a gym due to [GENERAL DESCRIPTION - no need to disclose diagnosis].

de conformidad con código civil Section 1812.85(b), I am entitled to cancel my membership immediately upon providing this medical documentation. Your refusal to honor this legally-mandated cancellation right violates California law.
Demand and Deadline
DEMANDA:

1. Immediately cancel my membership effective [DATE OF ORIGINAL REQUEST].

2. Reembolso all charges made after [CANCELLATION DATE], totaling $[AMOUNT].

3. Confirm in writing that no further charges will be made and no collection activity will occur.

4. Remove any negative information reported to credit bureaus.

You have 15 días from receipt of this letter to comply. If I do not receive full cumplimiento, I will file suit in California Tribunal de Reclamaciones Menores (or Superior Tribunal if daños exceed $12,500) seeking all unauthorized charges, actual daños, and abogado fees as provided by código civil Section 1812.97.

Atentamente,

[YOUR NAME]
[YOUR ADDRESS]
[YOUR EMAIL]

🖩 Gym Cancellation Calculadora de Daños

Use esta calculadora interactiva para estimar los posibles daños en su caso. Ingrese su información a continuación para obtener un estimado de daños recuperables.

Dinero real perdido o gastado
Pérdidas adicionales causadas por el problema

📈 Desglose Estimado de Daños

Daños Directos $0
Daños Consecuentes $0
Angustia Emocional (Est.) $0
Multas Legales (Est.) $0
TOTAL ESTIMADO DE DAÑOS $0
Aviso Legal: Esta calculadora proporciona estimaciones aproximadas solo con fines educativos y no constituye asesoramiento legal. Los daños reales varían significativamente según los hechos específicos, la solidez de la evidencia y muchos otros factores. Consulte con un abogado calificado de California para una evaluación precisa de su caso.

❓ Preguntas Frecuentes

Can I cancel my California gym membership at any time?
Under CC 1812.80-1812.98, you have several cancellation rights: (1) Cancelar dentro de 5 días of signing for a full reembolso; (2) Cancelar if the gym moves more than 5 miles; (3) Cancelar for disability or death with documentation; (4) Cancelar if the gym fails to open within 6 months. After the initial period, cancellation depends on your contract terms, but gyms frequently violate the law by refusing legitimate cancellations.
What if I moved away from my California gym?
California law requires gyms to allow cancellation if you move more than 25 miles from the gym or any affiliated location. Provide proof of your new address (utility bill, contrato de arrendamiento, or driver's license). The gym must cancel dentro de 30 días and cannot charge more than the prorated amount. If they refuse, they are violating CC 1812.85.
Must my gym accept a doctor's note for cancellation?
Sí. Under CC 1812.85, gyms must allow cancellation for physical disability that makes use impossible. A doctor's note stating you cannot use gym facilities is sufficient. The gym cannot demand specific diagnoses. If they continue billing after receiving proper documentation, you can pursue actual daños plus abogado fees.
Can my gym keep billing me after I cancelled?
No. Once you properly cancel, the gym must stop all billing dentro de 30 días. Post-cancellation charges violate both the Health Studio Servicios Contract Law and California's Automatic Renewal Law. puede recuperar all unauthorized charges, actual daños, and abogado fees. Keep written proof of your cancellation.

👥 Cuándo Contratar a Consumer Rights Abogado

Gym membership disputes range from simple cancellation issues to complex billing fraude. Here's when to handle it yourself versus when legal help makes sense.

Maneje Usted Mismo Cuando:

✓ Simple Cancellation Request

You just want to cancel and the gym hasn't charged you improperly yet

✓ Small Dollar Amount

Disputed charges total under $500 and puede presentar a credit card dispute

✓ Gym Is Responsive

The gym acknowledges your cancellation and is willing to process refunds

✓ Clear Documentation

You have proof of cancellation (correo certificado receipt, email confirmation)

Contrate un Abogado Cuando:

⚠ Months of Unauthorized Charges

Gym has been charging you for months after cancellation - daños add up quickly

⚠ Sent to Collections

Gym reported you to collections or is threatening credit damage over disputed charges

⚠ Refuses Written Cancellation

Gym insists on in-person cancellation or won't accept proper aviso por escrito

⚠ Hidden Contract Terms

Gym claims you're locked into a long-term contract you didn't knowingly agree to

⚠ Multiple Violacións

Pattern of deceptive practices affecting your contract, billing, and cancellation rights

Why Abogado Representation Often Makes Sense

  • Fee-Shifting: Health Studio Servicios Contract Law and CLRA require the gym to pay your abogado fees if you win
  • Statutory Daños: ARL violacións allow $500+ per violación on top of actual daños
  • Collections Defense: Abogados can stop improper collection activity and pursue FDCPA claims
  • Quick Acuerdos: Gyms often settle quickly when facing abogado letters because they know the law is on your side
  • Contingency Available: Many consumer abogados handle gym cases on contingency for pattern violacións

¿No Está Seguro Si Necesita un Abogado?

Take our quick assessment to get a personalized recommendation based on your gym membership situation.

Tomar Evaluación Gratuita

💡 Representación por Contingencia Disponible

Many consumer rights abogados work on contingency for gym membership disputes. The fee-shifting provisions in California law mean there's often no upfront cost to you for representation on viable claims.

🚀 Próximos Pasos

Step 1: Document Your Cancellation

Enviar written cancellation via correo certificado with acuse de recibo. Keep a copy of everything.

Step 2: Gather Evidencia

Collect your contract, all communications, bank statements showing charges, and proof of relocation/disability if applicable.

Step 3: Enviar Carta de Demanda

Use my template above to send a formal demand. Give the gym 15 días to respond.

Step 4: Dispute Credit Card Charges

File chargebacks for unauthorized charges. Cite "services not provided" or "cancelled subscription."

Step 5: File Demandas

Report violacións to the California Abogado General and your local District Abogado protección al consumidor unit.

Gym Still Refusing to Cancelar?

I help California gym members enforce their statutory cancellation rights and recover unauthorized charges plus abogado fees.

Questions? Email me directly at owner@terms.law