Can I return a health club membership if I change my mind?

What the Law Says

New York General Business Law Article 24-A governs health club contracts and gives consumers strong cancellation rights — especially for contracts signed away from the gym’s permanent location.

If you sign a health club membership contract at a location other than the club’s permanent place of business — such as at a sales event, your home, or a hotel — you have the right to cancel it within three business days. This is called the 'cooling-off period.'

The gym must give you a written notice of your cancellation rights at the time of signing, including a blank cancellation form. They must also post a sign in their facility stating that memberships signed off-site may be canceled within three business days.

To cancel, you must send written notice (not just call or email) to the address provided in the contract. The gym may charge a cancellation fee, but it cannot exceed $25. Once they receive your notice, they must refund all money paid within 10 business days — minus the $25 fee, if applicable.

Statutory Text

Any contract for services to be rendered by a health club which is signed at a location other than the permanent place of business of the health club may be cancelled by the buyer within three business days after the date of execution of such contract.

— General Business Law § 624(1) — Cancellation of contracts signed away from premises

Statutory Text

The health club shall provide the buyer with a written notice of the buyer's right to cancel... and a blank form for cancellation purposes.

— General Business Law § 624(2) — Notice and form requirements

Statutory Text

The health club may charge a cancellation fee not to exceed twenty-five dollars...

— General Business Law § 624(3) — Cancellation fee limit

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