Cancelling a 24 Hour Fitness membership should be simple. In practice, it's often anything but. This guide covers all three cancellation methods, the documentation you need to protect yourself, and what to do when things go wrong.
Check Your Contract First
The methods below are what 24 Hour Fitness promotes to customers. However, your signed contract likely requires written notice mailed to a specific address. The online, phone, and in-person methods can work if you document everything—but they may not satisfy your contract's legal requirements.
The only guaranteed method that complies with most 24 Hour Fitness contracts is certified mail with return receipt to the address in your agreement. Keep the certified mail receipt AND a copy of your cancellation letter.
The Contractually Compliant Method
Certified Mail (Recommended)
Most 24 Hour Fitness contracts require written notice "delivered or mailed" to cancel. Certified mail with return receipt is the only method that gives you undeniable proof of delivery that holds up legally.
- 1.Write a cancellation letter stating your name, membership ID, and that you wish to cancel
- 2.Make a photocopy of the letter before mailing
- 3.Send via USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt to: 24 Hour Fitness, P.O. Box 197, Carlsbad, CA 92018
- 4.Keep the certified mail receipt AND the green return receipt card when it comes back
This method creates a paper trail that 24 Hour Fitness cannot deny. Cost: ~$8 at USPS.
Alternative Methods (Document Everything)
These methods are promoted by 24 Hour Fitness and can work—but they don't satisfy the written notice requirement in most contracts. If you use them, document obsessively. Without proof, 24 Hour Fitness may claim they have "no record" of your cancellation.
Online
- 1.Go to 24hourfitness.com and log into your account
- 2.Click on "Account Management"
- 3.Scroll down and click the "Cancel" link
- 4.Enter your birthdate and membership ID
- 5.Click "Proceed" to confirm
Critical: Screenshot the confirmation page immediately. This is your proof.
Phone
Call the customer service line at 866-308-8179
When you call:
- Get the representative's full name
- Ask for a reference/confirmation number
- Request email confirmation of cancellation
- Note the date, time, and duration of the call
In Person
Go to your local club and request to cancel at the front desk.
- Bring your membership card and photo ID
- Ask for a SIGNED cancellation receipt with the date
- Get the manager's name on the document
- Take a photo of the receipt before leaving
The Documentation Checklist
No matter which method you use, document everything. This checklist protects you if 24 Hour Fitness claims you never cancelled.
- Screenshot the confirmation page with timestamp
- Email yourself a summary immediately after cancelling
- Save any reference or confirmation numbers
- Note the date, time, and method of cancellation
- Keep the name of anyone you spoke with
- Set a calendar reminder to check your statement next month
California & Hawaii Residents
California and Hawaii have stronger consumer protection laws for gym memberships:
- 5 days to cancel for a full refund (vs. 3 days elsewhere)
- California Auto-Renewal Law requires "clear and conspicuous" disclosure of terms
- You can file complaints with the CA Department of Consumer Affairs
The "No Email Confirmation" Trap
One of the most common complaints in BBB reports: members cancel, don't receive a confirmation email, and 24 Hour Fitness later claims they have "no record" of the cancellation.
"The General Manager told me that without an email confirmation (which was never received), they would not stop billing or issue a refund."
— BBB complaint, February 2024
If you don't receive a confirmation email within 24 hours: Go back immediately and get written proof. Call customer service and demand they send confirmation. If they can't, cancel again using a different method and document everything.
When Your Cancellation "Doesn't Work"
If you cancelled but charges continue, you have legal remedies:
Bank Stop Payment (Regulation E)
Tell your bank to stop all future payments to 24 Hour Fitness. Under federal law, they must comply within 3 business days—even if the gym disagrees.
File a Chargeback
Dispute any charges made after your cancellation date. Credit cards give you 60 days; Mastercard allows up to 120 days.
Small Claims Court
In California, you can sue for up to $12,500 without a lawyer. The filing fee is around $75-100. Often, just receiving the court summons triggers a settlement offer.
Source: JusticeDirect.com, "How to Sue 24 Hour Fitness"
Key Takeaways
- Online cancellation is easiest—but screenshot everything
- Always get a reference number and the rep's name
- No confirmation email? Cancel again immediately using a different method
- Set a reminder to check your statement next month
- If charges continue, use Regulation E to stop payments through your bank