
The Federal Trade Commission has filed a lawsuit against LA Fitness, accusing the nationwide gym chain of deliberately making it difficult for members to cancel their gym memberships. The lawsuit, announced on Wednesday, highlights what the agency describes as unfair and deceptive business practices that have left countless consumers frustrated and financially burdened.
According to the FTC, LA Fitness engaged in a pattern of behavior designed to obstruct cancellations. Consumers reported that attempts to cancel memberships were met with confusing procedures, excessive delays, and in some cases, outright refusals. The agency alleges that the company required members to navigate through unnecessary hurdles, such as mailing physical letters to process cancellations, despite customers signing up online or in person with ease. Some members claimed they were forced to continue paying monthly fees long after they thought their memberships had been terminated.
In its filing, the FTC described these practices as a clear violation of federal consumer protection laws. Officials argue that by intentionally creating barriers to cancellation, LA Fitness unlawfully profited at the expense of customers who wanted to end their memberships. The lawsuit also states that the company’s conduct caused significant financial harm, especially to individuals struggling with financial difficulties or those who could no longer use the facilities due to health, relocation, or other personal reasons.
The agency’s investigation was spurred by a surge in consumer complaints. Many former members reported that even after submitting multiple cancellation requests, their credit cards or bank accounts continued to be charged. In some cases, members said they were required to appear in person at the gym location where they originally signed up, a rule that proved especially problematic for people who had moved to different states or cities.
FTC Chair Lina Khan said in a statement that the case against LA Fitness reflects the agency’s broader effort to target companies that exploit consumers through unfair subscription models. “Consumers should be able to easily cancel a service they no longer want,” Khan said. “Companies that trap people in subscriptions or impose unnecessary obstacles are engaging in unlawful practices. The FTC is committed to holding them accountable.”
The lawsuit seeks injunctive relief to force LA Fitness to change its policies and create straightforward cancellation processes for its members. Additionally, the agency is seeking financial restitution for affected consumers, as well as civil penalties against the company for its alleged misconduct.
LA Fitness, one of the largest gym chains in the United States with hundreds of locations across the country, has not yet issued an official response to the lawsuit. In previous cases where similar allegations have surfaced, the company defended its policies as consistent with industry standards. However, critics argue that LA Fitness has long been one of the worst offenders when it comes to difficult cancellation practices, citing online forums and consumer advocacy groups that have for years warned potential members about the challenges of ending a membership.
Legal experts note that the lawsuit could have broad implications not only for LA Fitness but also for the wider fitness industry. Many gyms and subscription-based businesses rely on recurring charges for revenue, and regulators are increasingly scrutinizing whether those companies are doing enough to make opting out as simple as opting in. If the FTC succeeds, the ruling could establish stronger consumer protections and set a precedent requiring subscription-based businesses to simplify cancellation procedures.
The case comes amid a broader crackdown by regulators on what is often called “subscription traps” or “dark patterns” in consumer contracts. These are design choices or contractual terms that make it difficult for consumers to exercise their rights, often leaving them stuck with services they no longer want. The FTC has made combating such practices one of its top priorities in recent years, particularly as more industries move toward subscription-based business models.
For LA Fitness members past and present, the lawsuit provides validation after years of frustration. Consumer watchdog groups say that the case underscores the need for greater transparency and accountability in the fitness industry, especially for services that rely heavily on recurring payments. If successful, the FTC’s legal action could reshape how gyms and other subscription businesses operate, ensuring that cancellation is no longer a maze of obstacles but a clear and simple choice for consumers.
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