How to Cancel Planet Fitness

Planet Fitness requires you to cancel in person at the gym where you signed up, or by mail if you live more than 30 miles away. You cannot cancel by phone or online. The gym will ask for a written request — either a form you fill out at the front desk or a letter you mail in. Most cancellations take effect on your next billing date, which means you may owe one more month of dues depending on when in your cycle you cancel.

The process is straightforward but has a hard deadline: you must submit your cancellation request before the 1st of the month to stop charges on your next billing cycle. If you miss that date, you will be charged again and will need to resubmit your request for the following month. Bring your membership card and a photo ID when you go in person.

Key Takeaways

  • You must cancel in person at the Planet Fitness location where you joined, or by certified mail if you live more than 30 miles away — phone and online cancellation are not available.
  • Submit your cancellation request before the 1st of the month to stop charges on your next billing cycle; requests submitted after that date take effect the following month.
  • Bring your membership card and photo ID to the gym, or include a copy of your ID with your mailed cancellation letter.
  • If you are on a contract membership (usually a discounted rate), you may owe an early termination fee unless you cancel during the contract's renewal period.
  • Keep a copy of your cancellation confirmation or receipt in case the gym continues to charge you after your requested cancellation date.

Cancellation in Person at Your Home Gym

Visit the front desk of the Planet Fitness location where you originally signed up. Tell the staff you want to cancel your membership. They will give you a cancellation form to complete or may have you sign a cancellation request. The form asks for your name, membership number, and the reason you are canceling (optional). Write the date you submit the request.

Ask the staff member to date-stamp your copy of the cancellation form or give you a written receipt showing the cancellation was received. This receipt is your proof if the gym continues to charge you. Take a photo of it with your phone as a backup. The cancellation will take effect on your next billing date, which the staff member should tell you before you leave.

Cancellation by Mail

If you live more than 30 miles from your home gym, you can cancel by mail. Write a letter that includes your full name, membership number, date of birth, and the date you want the cancellation to take effect. State clearly: "I am requesting to cancel my Planet Fitness membership effective [date]." Sign and date the letter.

Make a copy for your records, then send the original by certified mail with return receipt requested to the Planet Fitness location where you joined. The return receipt proves the gym received your request. Keep the receipt and your copy of the letter. Cancellation takes effect on your next billing date after the gym receives your letter, not the date you mailed it.

Contract Memberships and Early Termination Fees

Planet Fitness offers discounted memberships that lock you into a contract, usually for 12 or 24 months. If you cancel before the contract ends, you will owe an early termination fee. The fee amount depends on how much time is left on your contract and varies by location, but typically ranges from $50 to $200.

You can cancel without a fee during your contract's renewal period, which is usually a 14-day window at the end of your contract term. Check your membership agreement or ask the gym when your renewal period is. If you cancel during that window, no fee applies. If you cancel outside the renewal period, you must pay the fee before the cancellation takes effect.

What Happens After You Cancel

The gym should stop charging you on your next billing date. Check your bank or credit card statement one billing cycle after your cancellation date to confirm the charges have stopped. If you are still being charged after your cancellation date has passed, contact the gym immediately with your cancellation receipt or certified mail receipt.

If the gym will not stop charging you, contact your bank or credit card company and dispute the charges. Provide them with your cancellation confirmation as proof you requested to stop the membership. Most banks will reverse charges if you can show evidence of a cancellation request.

Common Reasons Cancellations Fail

The most common reason a cancellation does not go through is missing the 1st-of-the-month deadline. If you submit your request on the 5th, it will not take effect until the following month's billing date. Plan ahead and submit your cancellation in the last week of the month before you want it to end.

Another reason is submitting the request at a different Planet Fitness location than the one where you signed up. The gym system is location-specific, so you must cancel at your home gym. If you moved or it is inconvenient to return, use certified mail instead. A third reason is not including all required information on your cancellation form or letter — always include your full name, membership number, and date of birth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel my Planet Fitness membership online or by phone?

No. Planet Fitness does not allow online or phone cancellations. You must cancel in person at your home gym or by certified mail if you live more than 30 miles away. This policy is firm across all locations.

What if I cancel on the 15th — when does it take effect?

Your cancellation will take effect on your next billing date, which is usually the same day of the following month. If you are billed on the 20th and cancel on the 15th, you will be charged one more time on the 20th, then the membership ends. To avoid an extra charge, cancel before the 1st of the month.

Do I have to pay an early termination fee?

Only if you are on a contract membership and cancel before the contract ends. Month-to-month memberships have no early termination fee. Check your membership agreement to see if you are under contract. If you are, you can cancel without a fee during your 14-day renewal period at the end of the contract.

What should I do if the gym keeps charging me after I cancel?

Contact the gym with your cancellation receipt and ask them to investigate. If they do not reverse the charges, dispute them with your bank or credit card company. Provide your cancellation confirmation as proof. Banks typically reverse charges when you show evidence of a cancellation request.

Can someone else cancel my membership for me?

No. Planet Fitness requires the member to cancel in person or submit the cancellation request themselves. Bring your membership card and photo ID. If you cannot go in person, send a certified letter with a copy of your ID included.