LA Fitness Problems in 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the "Predatory Contract Terms and Cancellation Nightmares" problem with LA Fitness?

LA Fitness is notorious for making membership cancellation extraordinarily difficult, a practice that has generated thousands of consumer complaints and multiple attorney general investigations. Members who attempt to cancel report being told they can only cancel by sending a certified letter to the corporate office or visiting their home club in person, requirements designed to discourage cancellation. Phone cancellations are not accepted, and emails are ignored. Members who do successfully request cancellation report continued charges for months afterward, with the company claiming the cancellation was not processed or that the contract required additional notice. The initial membership contract is designed to lock members into annual terms that auto-renew, with cancellation windows that are narrow and poorly communicated. Former members have reported being sent to collections for charges that accrued after they believed their membership was cancelled.

What is the "Facility Maintenance and Cleanliness Decline" problem with LA Fitness?

LA Fitness locations across the country have received complaints about declining facility maintenance, broken equipment, and inadequate cleanliness. Members report waiting weeks for broken machines to be repaired, with popular equipment like cable machines and treadmills frequently out of service. Locker rooms have been cited for mold in showers, non-functional lockers, and inconsistent cleaning schedules. The pool facilities at clubs that offer them face recurring issues with temperature regulation, chemical balance, and closure for maintenance without advance notice. HVAC systems in workout areas frequently fail to maintain comfortable temperatures, and overcrowded floors during peak hours create safety concerns with insufficient space between equipment. Despite these conditions, LA Fitness has maintained or increased membership fees, and members report that complaint submissions through the company's feedback system receive no response.

What is the "Billing Errors and Unauthorized Charges" problem with LA Fitness?

LA Fitness members frequently report unauthorized charges on their accounts, including annual enhancement fees that were not clearly disclosed at sign-up, rate increases without notification, and charges that continue after cancellation. The annual fee or rate guarantee fee, typically $49-$59, surprises members who were told their monthly rate was fixed. Some members have discovered double charges, being billed for both their regular membership and a personal training contract they did not authorize. Disputing charges with LA Fitness requires persistent effort, as customer service representatives are trained to defend all charges and refer members to their contract. Members who dispute charges through their bank or credit card company report that LA Fitness retaliates by sending the disputed amount to collections, creating credit report damage that is more costly than the original charge.

What is the "Aggressive Personal Training Sales Tactics" problem with LA Fitness?

LA Fitness personal trainers and sales staff use high-pressure tactics to sell expensive personal training packages to new and existing members. Upon joining, members are offered a free fitness assessment that functions as a sales pitch for training packages costing $200-$500 per month. The sales process involves emotional manipulation, exaggerating health risks, and creating urgency with limited-time pricing offers. Training contracts are structured as non-cancellable agreements separate from the gym membership, meaning members who are dissatisfied with their trainer or want to stop training must continue paying. The quality of personal training varies significantly, with some trainers lacking adequate certification or experience. Members report that cancelling personal training is even more difficult than cancelling gym membership, with some being told that their multi-month training contract must be fulfilled regardless of circumstances.

What is the "Overcrowding and Inadequate Equipment for Membership Size" problem with LA Fitness?

LA Fitness regularly sells memberships far exceeding the capacity of its facilities, resulting in severe overcrowding during peak hours that makes it impossible to complete a workout efficiently. Members report waiting 20-30 minutes for popular equipment like squat racks and bench presses during evening hours, with no reservation system or time limits on equipment use. Group fitness classes frequently reach capacity, with members arriving early to secure spots and others turned away. The parking lots at many locations are undersized for the membership base, adding additional frustration. Despite the overcrowding, LA Fitness continues to sell new memberships without expanding facilities or adding equipment. The company's business model relies on a significant percentage of members not actually using the gym, but when usage patterns change, as they did post-pandemic when members returned in waves, the facilities are woefully inadequate for the paying membership base.