Cancel in person or by certified mail—phone and email cancellations often don't stick
Anytime Fitness requires you to cancel in writing, either by visiting your home club in person or by sending a certified letter to the address on your membership agreement. Phone calls and emails are not official cancellation methods, even if a staff member says they will process it—gyms frequently claim they never received the request. Your membership will keep charging until the gym receives written notice and processes it, which typically takes 5 to 10 business days after they receive the letter.
Check your membership agreement for the exact cancellation address and any specific requirements your location may have. Some clubs require 30 days' notice before the cancellation takes effect; others process it immediately. The notice period and effective date depend on your contract and your state's consumer protection laws, so read what you signed or call your home club to confirm the timeline before you send anything.
If you cancel in person, ask for a receipt or written confirmation with the date and cancellation effective date. If you use certified mail, keep the receipt and tracking number—you will need proof that the gym received it if charges continue after your cancellation date.
Key Takeaways
- Anytime Fitness does not honor phone or email cancellations; you must cancel in person at your home club or send a certified letter to the address listed in your membership agreement.
- Your membership will continue to charge until the gym receives and processes your written cancellation, which usually takes 5 to 10 business days after delivery.
- Some memberships require 30 days' notice before cancellation takes effect; check your agreement or call your home club to confirm the notice period.
- Keep a receipt if you cancel in person, or keep the certified mail tracking number if you cancel by letter—you will need proof if the gym continues charging after your cancellation date.
- If charges continue after your cancellation date, dispute the charges with your bank or credit card company and provide your cancellation proof.
What to include in a cancellation letter
Write a short, clear letter that includes your full name, membership number (on your membership card or billing statement), the date you want the cancellation to take effect, and your signature. State that you are requesting cancellation of your Anytime Fitness membership effective immediately or on a specific date. Do not apologize or explain why you are leaving—keep it factual and brief.
Address the letter to the specific club location where you hold your membership. The address should be on your membership agreement, billing statement, or the gym's website under "Contact Us." If you cannot find it, call the club directly and ask for the mailing address to use for membership cancellations.
Send the letter via USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt Requested. This creates a paper trail showing when the gym received it. Regular mail can get lost, and the gym may claim they never got it. The certified mail receipt costs a few dollars and is worth the protection.
Stopping charges if the gym keeps billing after cancellation
If Anytime Fitness continues charging your account after your cancellation date has passed, contact your bank or credit card company and dispute the charges. Tell them you cancelled your membership on a specific date and provide your cancellation letter, certified mail receipt, or in-person cancellation receipt as proof. Most banks will reverse unauthorized charges within 5 to 10 business days while they investigate.
Do not simply stop payment or close the card—that does not stop the gym from trying to collect, and it can damage your credit if the debt is sold to a collection agency. A formal dispute through your bank is the fastest way to stop the charges and get your money back.
If the gym disputes your claim and the bank sides with them, you can file a complaint with your state's attorney general or consumer protection office. Include your cancellation proof, the certified mail receipt, and copies of the unauthorized charges. Many states have laws requiring gyms to honor written cancellations, and the attorney general's office can pressure the gym to refund you.
Cancellation policies that vary by location and contract type
Anytime Fitness is a franchise, so cancellation rules can differ slightly between clubs depending on your state's consumer protection laws and your specific membership contract. Some locations allow month-to-month cancellations with no notice period; others require 30 or 60 days' notice. A few clubs charge an early termination fee if you cancel before a contract period ends, though this is less common.
Before you send a cancellation letter, call your home club and ask: "What is the notice period for cancellation?" and "Is there an early termination fee on my membership?" Write down the name of the person you spoke to and the date. If the gym later claims they never received your letter or charges you an early termination fee you were not told about, you have documentation that you asked first.
Cancelling a frozen or paused membership
If your membership is currently frozen or paused, you still need to send a written cancellation to end it permanently. A freeze or pause is temporary and will automatically reactivate on the date you agreed to. Cancellation is the only way to stop charges from resuming. Follow the same process: write a letter, send it certified mail, and keep the receipt.
If you are unsure whether your membership is frozen or active, call your home club and ask for your account status before you cancel. This prevents confusion if the gym later claims you were trying to cancel an inactive account.
What happens to your account after cancellation
Once your cancellation is processed, your membership ends and you lose access to all Anytime Fitness locations. Your membership card will no longer work at the gym. Charges should stop on the effective cancellation date, though it may take one more billing cycle for the final charge to clear if it was already scheduled.
If you want to rejoin later, you will need to sign up as a new member and may be subject to new enrollment fees or promotions available at that time. Anytime Fitness does not automatically restore cancelled memberships or waive fees for returning members.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel my Anytime Fitness membership over the phone?
No. Anytime Fitness does not process phone cancellations, even if a staff member says they will handle it. You must cancel in person at your home club or send a certified letter. Phone cancellations are not documented, and the gym often claims they never received the request, leaving your membership active and charging.
How long does it take for my cancellation to go into effect?
Cancellation usually takes effect 5 to 10 business days after the gym receives your written notice, though some memberships require 30 days' notice before the cancellation date. Check your membership agreement or call your home club to confirm the exact timeline for your location.
What if I moved and can't visit my home club in person?
Send a certified letter to your home club's address. You do not have to cancel at the location you currently live. Include your membership number and the date you want the cancellation to take effect. Keep the certified mail receipt as proof of delivery.
Will I get a refund if I cancel mid-month?
Anytime Fitness does not refund unused portions of your membership. If you cancel on the 15th of a month you have already paid for, you will not receive a refund for the remaining days. Your cancellation will take effect on the date you request, but you will not get money back for time you do not use.
What should I do if the gym charges me after I cancelled?
Contact your bank or credit card company and dispute the charges. Provide your cancellation letter, certified mail receipt, or in-person cancellation receipt as proof. The bank will investigate and usually reverse the charges within 5 to 10 business days. If the gym disputes the claim, file a complaint with your state's attorney general.