How to Cancel Planet Fitness (And Why They Make It So Hard)

Planet Fitness has 2,400+ locations and 18+ million members — making it the largest gym chain in America. It's also one of the hardest to cancel.

Here's exactly what you need to do.

The Cancellation Methods (Ranked by Difficulty)

Method 1: In Person at Your Home Club (Most Common)

1. Visit your home club (the specific location where you signed up)
2. Ask the front desk staff to cancel your membership
3. They'll have you fill out a cancellation form
4. Get a copy of the cancellation confirmation — do not leave without it
5. Allow 30 days notice before your next billing date

Important: You must cancel at your home club specifically. A different Planet Fitness location generally cannot process your cancellation.

Method 2: Certified Mail

If you can't visit in person (you've moved, for example):

1. Write a cancellation letter with: your full name, date of birth, address, membership ID (on your key tag or app), and the statement "I hereby request cancellation of my Planet Fitness membership effective immediately"
2. Mail it via USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt to your home club's address
3. Keep the certified mail receipt as proof

Method 3: Online (Select Locations Only)

A small number of Planet Fitness locations now allow online cancellation through the member portal. Check your specific club's policy in the Planet Fitness app.

The Annual Fee Trap

Both membership types charge a $49 annual fee once per year, typically in your second month of membership. This fee is often the surprise that catches members off guard:

• If you joined in January, your annual fee hits in February (and every February after)
• The annual fee is non-refundable — if you cancel the day after it's charged, you don't get it back
• Strategy: Cancel at least 30 days BEFORE your annual fee date to avoid the charge

Black Card Early Termination Fee

If you signed a 12-month Black Card commitment, canceling before the 12 months are up incurs an early termination fee of up to $58. Month-to-month Black Card members have no termination fee.

What NOT to Do

Do not just stop paying. If your payment method fails or you remove it, Planet Fitness will:

1. Continue attempting to charge you
2. Add late fees to your account
3. Eventually send your balance to collections
4. This can affect your credit score

Always formally cancel, even if it's inconvenient.

Alternatives After Canceling

For most Planet Fitness members leaving due to cost, free home workouts (YouTube, Nike Training Club app) provide a solid alternative at $0/month.