How to cancel your gym membership in 2026

January arrives, gym sign-ups surge, and by February many people stop going. Research shows half of new members stop attending within six months, with many dropping off around February and March. Around 80% of new gym members cancel within the first year.

If you’re ready to cancel your gym membership in 2026, here’s everything you need to know and exactly how to do it depending on your circumstances.

First thing's first, check your contract

Before cancelling, look through your agreement or your gym’s terms and conditions. Check for:

• minimum contract length - this could be a rolling contract or up to a year
• notice period - often 30 days' notice on a rolling contract
• early‑cancellation fees - typically apply if you cancel before the contract is up
• required cancellation steps - exactly what you need to do to quit

If you don’t have a copy, the gym must provide one if you ask.

How to cancel if you’re out of contract

If your minimum term has ended, the process is usually straightforward:

• complete an online cancellation form
• email the membership team
• use the gym’s app or online portal

Always get written confirmation so payments don’t continue by mistake. If you’re planning on cancelling any direct debits, it’s worth doing so after you’ve had confirmation from the gym that your membership has been cancelled and you don’t owe anything.

How to cancel when you’re still in contract

Cancelling if you’re still in contract is a little tricky. You might have to pay for the duration of your contract (which can be up to 12 months) if you don’t have a valid reason.

Some valid reasons include:

• you're injured or very ill – you might need a GP note to prove it
• you can no longer afford the membership – if you’re in debt or suddenly lost your job, you should be able to cancel
• you've moved house – check your contract, but if you’ve moved house and don’t have a branch near you, you can often cancel (the definition of “near you” can vary from anywhere between 5 to 15 miles)
• your contract contains unfair terms - automatic renewals without clear permission and large exit fees are unfair and can be grounds for termination

What to do if the gym refuses to cancel your contract

If the gym refuses to cancel your contract, but you believe they should, you can arrange to speak to the manager and explain you have rights under the Competition and Markets Authority.

If they still won’t let you cancel, it’s worth getting help from an organisation like Citizens Advice that can help you with the next steps.

New 2026 consumer law will make cancelling your gym membership even easier

The UK’s new subscription contract rules, which will be part of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCAA), are expected to come into force in September 2026.

These new rules will apply to subscription-style contracts, including gym memberships, and will make signing up and cancellations much easier for consumers. The rules will likely include:

• compulsory auto-renewal reminders, including before trials end and before long-term contracts renew
• better cancellation and termination rights, including straightforward exit routes and defined cooling-off periods
• new cooling off periods, including 14 days’ cooling off periods for transitions from free or introductory offers to full-price plans, and for 12+ month renewals
• clearer presentation of key terms so important details aren’t hidden in small print

More information on exactly how this will work will be released closer to the time.

Key takeaways

• If you’re not under contract, simply follow your gym’s cancellation procedure which should be quick and straightforward
• You can cancel if your financial situation has changed, for example losing your job or being unable to afford payments.
• You can cancel if you’ve moved house and no longer have a branch near you, often defined as moving more than 10–15 miles away.
• You can challenge and cancel contracts with unfair terms, such as auto‑renewals without clear permission or excessive exit fees.
• You can expect easier cancellations from autumn 2026, when new rules under the DMCCA are due, including auto‑renewal reminders, clearer terms and improved cooling‑off rights.