The legally-backed process for canceling Planet Fitness, Anytime Fitness, LA Fitness, and other gym memberships — including contracts and state health club laws. This guide applies specifically to Showtime ($10.99/mo) subscribers in Buffalo, New York. New York's Auto-Renewal Law protects you.
New York's Auto-Renewal Law (N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law § 527) gives Buffalo residents specific protections when dealing with Showtime:
Penalties: Violations subject to AG enforcement and consumer private action
Applied to Showtime (Website or app) for Buffalo residents
Read your membership contract first
Find your contract (check your email or the gym's member portal). Note: the contract term, any minimum commitment period, notice requirements (typically 30 days), and cancellation methods allowed.
Send written notice via certified mail
For gyms like Planet Fitness, Anytime Fitness, and LA Fitness, send a certified letter with return receipt to your home club. Include: full name, address, membership number, and explicit cancellation request.
Visit in-person as a backup
Visit your home club during staffed hours and request cancellation in writing. Ask for a written receipt of your cancellation request with the date and representative's name.
Cite your state's Health Club Act
Most states (CA, NY, TX, FL, IL, etc.) have Health Club Acts that override gym contracts. These laws often require gyms to allow cancellation by certified mail regardless of what the contract says.
Dispute charges after cancellation
After your notice period ends, watch your statement. Any charges after the effective cancellation date are disputable. File a chargeback citing the Fair Credit Billing Act and your cancellation documentation.
Method: Website or app · Difficulty: easy
Showtime-specific tips
No refunds.
Under N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law § 527, Buffalo residents may be entitled to a full refund if Showtime didn't properly disclose auto-renewal terms.
SubScrub auto-cites N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law § 527 for Buffalo residents