Hey, ever tried canceling a gym membership and felt like you’re stuck in a maze?
I’ve been there, and it seems LA Fitness members have too. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) just dropped a bombshell, suing LA Fitness for making it “exceedingly difficult” to cancel memberships.
Trust me, this news hits home for anyone who’s wrestled with a gym’s cancellation process. Let’s break it down and see what’s going on.
What’s the Deal with LA Fitness?
According to the FTC, LA Fitness and its parent company, Fitness International, have been playing hardball with cancellations.
They’re accused of using “opaque and complicated” methods to keep members locked in. Want to cancel? You either gotta show up in person or mail a form. Sounds simple, right? Nope. The in-person route means tracking down one specific employee—good luck if they’re not there! And mailing? You’re told to use certified mail, which costs extra, and they don’t even clarify you can just send a written notice.
Tens of thousands of customers have complained, saying it’s like trying to escape a bad date that just won’t end.
The FTC’s Beef
The FTC says these tactics violate the FTC Act and the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act (ROSCA). They’re not just annoyed—they’re seeking a court order to stop these practices and get money back for members stuck paying for memberships they didn’t want.
Apparently, even stopping charges on your card doesn’t work; LA Fitness might just rebill you under a new account number. Say what? That’s next-level shady.
LA Fitness’s Response
Fitness International isn’t taking this lying down. They called the FTC’s claims “without merit” and said ROSCA doesn’t even apply to gyms since it’s meant for online retail. They also mentioned they’ve added an online cancellation option—y’know, “just a few clicks”—but the FTC says it’s still a hassle, buried deep in their website and not available on their app.
LA Fitness insists they’re following state laws, but the FTC’s like, “Nah, you’re making it too hard.”
Why This Matters
This isn’t just about LA Fitness. It’s a wake-up call for anyone signing up for a gym. The sign-up process is all smooth and shiny, but canceling? That’s where they get you.
The FTC even mentioned a “click to cancel” rule that got blocked by a court last month, which would’ve forced gyms to make cancellations easier. For now, we’re stuck navigating these tricky systems. It’s like signing up for a marathon but finding out the finish line keeps moving.
My Two Cents
I’ve had my own gym cancellation nightmares, so this news feels personal. It’s frustrating when you just want out, but you’re jumping through hoops like a circus act.
The FTC’s lawsuit might push gyms to clean up their act, but until then, we gotta be smart. Check those terms before signing, and maybe search online for complaints about cancellations. Trust me, a little homework saves a lot of headaches.
Let’s Talk About It
This whole thing’s got me curious—what’s your experience with gym cancellations?
Have you ever been stuck in a membership you couldn’t ditch?
Drop your stories below, and let’s figure out how to avoid these traps!
What’s the worst gym cancellation experience you’ve had?
Got any tips for dodging shady gym policies?
I’ve been there, and it seems LA Fitness members have too. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) just dropped a bombshell, suing LA Fitness for making it “exceedingly difficult” to cancel memberships.
Trust me, this news hits home for anyone who’s wrestled with a gym’s cancellation process. Let’s break it down and see what’s going on.
What’s the Deal with LA Fitness?
According to the FTC, LA Fitness and its parent company, Fitness International, have been playing hardball with cancellations.
They’re accused of using “opaque and complicated” methods to keep members locked in. Want to cancel? You either gotta show up in person or mail a form. Sounds simple, right? Nope. The in-person route means tracking down one specific employee—good luck if they’re not there! And mailing? You’re told to use certified mail, which costs extra, and they don’t even clarify you can just send a written notice.
Tens of thousands of customers have complained, saying it’s like trying to escape a bad date that just won’t end.
The FTC’s Beef
The FTC says these tactics violate the FTC Act and the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act (ROSCA). They’re not just annoyed—they’re seeking a court order to stop these practices and get money back for members stuck paying for memberships they didn’t want.
Apparently, even stopping charges on your card doesn’t work; LA Fitness might just rebill you under a new account number. Say what? That’s next-level shady.
LA Fitness’s Response
Fitness International isn’t taking this lying down. They called the FTC’s claims “without merit” and said ROSCA doesn’t even apply to gyms since it’s meant for online retail. They also mentioned they’ve added an online cancellation option—y’know, “just a few clicks”—but the FTC says it’s still a hassle, buried deep in their website and not available on their app.
LA Fitness insists they’re following state laws, but the FTC’s like, “Nah, you’re making it too hard.”
Why This Matters
This isn’t just about LA Fitness. It’s a wake-up call for anyone signing up for a gym. The sign-up process is all smooth and shiny, but canceling? That’s where they get you.
The FTC even mentioned a “click to cancel” rule that got blocked by a court last month, which would’ve forced gyms to make cancellations easier. For now, we’re stuck navigating these tricky systems. It’s like signing up for a marathon but finding out the finish line keeps moving.
My Two Cents
I’ve had my own gym cancellation nightmares, so this news feels personal. It’s frustrating when you just want out, but you’re jumping through hoops like a circus act.
The FTC’s lawsuit might push gyms to clean up their act, but until then, we gotta be smart. Check those terms before signing, and maybe search online for complaints about cancellations. Trust me, a little homework saves a lot of headaches.
Let’s Talk About It
This whole thing’s got me curious—what’s your experience with gym cancellations?
Have you ever been stuck in a membership you couldn’t ditch?
Drop your stories below, and let’s figure out how to avoid these traps!
What’s the worst gym cancellation experience you’ve had?
Got any tips for dodging shady gym policies?
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