US FTC Sues LA Fitness Over Gym Membership Cancellation Barriers

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has sued the operators of LA Fitness and other gym chains for allegedly making it excessively difficult for consumers to cancel their memberships, which continued indefinitely unless terminated. The complaint highlights that cancellation methods were opaque and burdensome, requiring in-person visits or mailed notices, often with additional hurdles such as speaking to unavailable managers and certified mail requirements. The FTC claims these practices violated consumer protection laws, as customers were often re-billed under new account numbers after attempting to stop payments. LA Fitness, operated by Fitness International, LLC and Fitness & Sports Clubs, LLC, runs over 600 locations nationwide and offers memberships with fees ranging from $30 to $299 per month plus add-on services. The agency is seeking a court order to stop these unfair practices and recover money for affected consumers. This action is part of a broader effort by the FTC to protect consumers from companies that stifle cancellation rights for recurring charges.