California · gym cancellation rights
How to Cancel a Gym Membership in California
Your legal cancellation rights in California — and the exact steps and letter to use them.
Cooling-off period
California gives you 5 days to cancel a new membership for a refund.
Your rights in California
A new health-studio member may cancel for any reason within 5 business days of signing for a full refund. Longer windows apply to higher-priced contracts (20 days if $1,500-$2,000; 30 days if $2,001-$2,500; 45 days if over $2,501).
| Refund rules | Full refund of all money paid if cancelled within the cooling-off window. For death/disability/relocation cancellations, the club refunds the prorated unused portion; on a relocation cancellation the club may charge a fee up to $100 (or $50 if more than half the term has run). |
|---|---|
| How to cancel legally | Mail or deliver written notice of cancellation by midnight of the 5th business day. The contract must conspicuously state the cancellation rights and provide a notice-of-cancellation form. |
| Special protections | May cancel for death, disability affecting use of the facility, or relocation more than 25 miles from the facility. Contract terms capped at 36 months. |
| Statute | Cal. Civ. Code 1812.80-1812.97 |
Cancelling a specific gym in California?
Each chain has its own (often annoying) process. Pick yours:
Not legal advice — verify Cal. Civ. Code 1812.80-1812.97 before acting.