How to Cancel a Gym Membership When You Move
You're relocating and your gym suddenly cares a lot about that 12-month commitment. Here's the thing: moving is one of the few reasons most state laws force a gym to let you out.
Most state health-club laws let you cancel if you move more than 25 miles from a facility (and the gym can't offer a comparable one near your new home). Some states use a different radius.
The 25-mile rule
The common standard: if you relocate more than 25 miles from the gym's locations, you can cancel for a prorated refund — even mid-commitment. A few states differ (Alabama uses 15 miles; some tie it to whether a comparable facility exists nearby).
Check your state page for the exact distance and proof requirements.
How to use your relocation right
- Confirm your state's relocation rule and radius.
- Gather proof of the move — a lease, utility bill, or change-of-address.
- Send written notice citing the relocation provision. Put "moving" as the reason in our letter generator and it'll cite your state law.
- Include your proof and demand the prorated refund.
Some chains will offer to "transfer" your membership to a club near your new home instead of cancelling. If there's no comparable club within the legal radius, you can still cancel — don't let them talk you out of it.
Upload your contract to see your exact relocation and refund terms.