Cancelling a gym membership in Minnesota: your rights

Club Contracts (health clubs, social referral clubs and buying clubs)

Minn. Stat. §§ 325G.23–325G.28

Change your mind after signing

A member may cancel, at their own discretion, by giving notice any time before midnight of the third business day after the date membership was attained. The member has no liability and is entitled to a refund of 'the entire consideration paid for the contract' within ten days after notice is given (Minn. Stat. § 325G.24, subd. 1). A mailed notice 'is effective upon deposit in a mailbox, properly addressed and postage prepaid'. 'Business day' means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or a holiday (§ 325G.23, subd. 9). If a member gives a termination notice within that window, the club must treat it as a 3-day cancellation unless the member asks for a later termination date (§ 325G.24, subd. 2(e)).

How notice can be given

A club 'must accept' a notice of cancellation or termination given: (1) verbally, including in person or by telephone to customer or account service staff; (2) in writing, including by mail, email, or an online message through the club's website; (3) through a website 'termination election' under § 325G.60; or (4) in any other manner or medium the member used to join that is no more burdensome than joining was. 'The process to cancel must be stated clearly and be easily accessible and completed with ease' (§ 325G.24, subd. 3). A mailed notice is effective when deposited in a mailbox, properly addressed and postage prepaid (§ 325G.24, subds. 1(b), 2(b)). Contracts must list the club's mailing address, telephone number, email address and website for notices (§ 325G.25, subd. 1).

Limits on contracts

No contract is valid for a term longer than 18 months from signing. A club may let a member convert to a longer contract after at least six months of membership. The duration must be shown in bold type of at least 14 points (§ 325G.26). Contracts must be in writing, signed and dated by the member, given to the member at signing, and must include the statutory 'MEMBERS' RIGHT TO CANCEL', 'MEMBERS' RIGHT TO UNILATERAL TERMINATION' and 'NOTICE INFORMATION' statements in bold type of at least 14 points (§ 325G.25, subd. 1). A contract missing the required notice 'may be canceled by the member at any time by giving notice of cancellation by any means' (§ 325G.25, subd. 2).

Other rules

General termination right: for contracts entered into, modified or renewed on or after January 1, 2025, a member 'may unilaterally terminate such membership, in the person's exclusive discretion, by giving notice of termination at any time'. The club 'must not impose a termination fee or any other liability on the member' (§ 325G.24, subd. 2(a), (c); 2024 Minn. Laws ch. 114, art. 3, § 53). Termination takes effect at the end of the membership term in which notice is given. For at-will memberships with no defined term, it takes effect 'no later than 30 days after the date of a verified consumer's notice of termination' (§ 325G.24, subd. 2(d)). That 30-day rule replaced 'immediately' for contracts entered into, modified or renewed on or after July 1, 2025 (2025 Minn. Laws 1st Spec. Sess. ch. 4, art. 7, § 31). A member may choose a later date. Cancellation and termination rights cannot be waived (§ 325G.24, subd. 4). Because this right applies for any reason, the statute has no separate relocation, disability or death provisions. Scope: 'health club' means a business whose primary purpose is offering facilities for instruction, training, encouragement or assistance in physical fitness in return for a fee. It excludes 'any nonprofit organizations, any private club owned and operated by its members, or any facility operated by the state or any of its political subdivisions' (§ 325G.23, subd. 4). Registration and bond: clubs must register with the Attorney General ($250, then $150 renewal each September 1). They must keep a surety bond equal to outstanding prepayment liabilities, capped at $200,000, unless they declare they do not take prepayments over $50. Members who lose prepayments when a facility closes or the club goes bankrupt may claim against the bond within one year (§§ 325G.23, subd. 8; 325G.27). Remedies: the Attorney General may seek injunctions and civil penalties up to $25,000. Any person injured by a violation of §§ 325G.23–325G.28 may sue for damages, costs and reasonable attorney's fees (§ 325G.28). Under § 325G.58, which covers club contracts, once a member gives notice the club may not use misrepresentation or unfair or abusive tactics to delay or avoid the cancellation. It also may not make retention offers unless the member first gives permission, and may ask only once per attempt. Currency: the Revisor's 2025 Minnesota Statutes pages show no 'affected by law enacted during the 2026 Regular Session' notice for §§ 325G.23–325G.28 or 325G.56–325G.63.

Automatic renewal and online cancellation

Minn. Stat. §§ 325G.56–325G.63 (2024 Minn. Laws ch. 114, art. 3, §§ 55–62; effective January 1, 2025)

Effective January 1, 2025, for contracts entered into, modified or renewed on or after that date. If a seller 'has a website with profile or subscription management capabilities', the website must include a clear and conspicuous 'termination election': a simple mechanism such as a checkbox or submit button that lets any consumer end the agreement at any time and asks only for information needed to process the termination (§ 325G.60). This section expressly covers club contracts under § 325G.23. The confirmation sent at sign-up must list termination options that are 'easy to use, cost-effective, and timely'. It must include a termination election if the seller offers subscriptions through a website. If the consumer signed up by any means other than a toll-free number, email address or postal address (for example, in person), it must include 'an option substantially similar to, as easy to use, and as accessible as the initial means of consumer acceptance of the agreement' (§ 325G.57, subd. 2(3)). If the seller fails to send the confirmation or the required annual notice, the consumer may terminate 'by any reasonable means at any time', including mail, email, telephone or online, at no cost (§ 325G.59, subd. 3).

The law explicitly applies to gyms. 'Indefinite subscription agreements include but are not limited to contracts, as defined in section 325G.23, subject to automatic renewal or continuous service'. 'Consumer' includes a club member and 'seller' includes a club (§ 325G.56, subds. 4, 6, 8). Termination rights: a consumer may terminate an automatically renewing agreement at any time, effective at the end of the current term. A continuous-service agreement must end no later than 31 days after a verified notice (§ 325G.59, subds. 1–2). Other duties: clear and conspicuous offer terms before acceptance; a retainable confirmation; notice before material changes (otherwise the change is void); a reminder for free trials over 30 days; and a written notice of continuous service at least once per calendar year by mail or email (§ 325G.57). Retention offers are limited as described for club contracts (§ 325G.58). Exemptions: contracts governed by another statute specifically regulating automatic renewal or continuous service; insurance licensees; certain technology system contractors; PUC/FCC/FERC-regulated services; and FINRA/SEC/state-securities registrants (§ 325G.62). A seller that makes a good-faith effort to comply is not subject to civil penalties (§ 325G.63).

Good to know

Minnesota is one of the most member-friendly states. For club contracts entered into, modified or renewed on or after January 1, 2025, members may terminate at any time for any reason, with no termination fee. Clubs must accept notice in person, by phone, by mail, by email, through a website message or termination election, or the same way the member joined. A mailed notice is effective when it is put in the mailbox, properly addressed and stamped. Certified mail is not required, but it gives proof of mailing. Termination takes effect at the end of the current membership term, or within 30 days for at-will memberships (contracts from July 1, 2025 on). The statute does not define 'membership term'. Contracts signed before January 1, 2025 and not modified or renewed since may not carry the termination-at-any-time right; for those, the contract's terms generally govern outside the 3-day cancellation right. The Minnesota Attorney General's Club Contracts page (ag.state.mn.us) could not be reached during this research.

Putting it in writing

Whatever the law says, a written notice you can prove is the safest way to cancel. A letter sent by USPS Certified Mail with a return receipt shows when your notice was mailed and delivered, and who signed for it.

Sources

1. Minn. Stat. § 325G.24 – Right of cancellation (Office of the Revisor of Statutes, 2025 Minnesota Statutes) (official, 2026-10-11)
2. Minn. Stat. § 325G.24, subd. 2(c) – no termination fee (official, 2026-10-11)
3. Minn. Stat. § 325G.24, subd. 2(d) – when termination takes effect (official, 2026-10-11)
4. Minn. Stat. § 325G.24, subd. 1 – three-business-day cancellation (official, 2026-10-11)
5. Minn. Stat. § 325G.24, subd. 3 – notice methods the club must accept (official, 2026-10-11)
6. Minn. Stat. § 325G.25 – Contract regulation (required notices; failure to contain notice) (official, 2026-10-11)
7. Minn. Stat. § 325G.26 – Limitation on membership period (official, 2026-10-11)
8. Minn. Stat. § 325G.23 – Definitions (health club; exclusions) (official, 2026-10-11)
9. Minn. Stat. § 325G.27 – Registration, surety bond (official, 2026-10-11)
10. Minn. Stat. § 325G.28 – Violations; private remedies (official, 2026-10-11)
11. 2024 Minn. Laws ch. 114, art. 3, § 53 (amending § 325G.24) – effective date (official, 2026-10-11)
12. 2025 Minn. Laws 1st Spec. Sess. ch. 4, art. 7, § 31 (amending § 325G.24, subd. 2) – effective date (official, 2026-10-11)
13. Minn. Stat. § 325G.56 – Definitions (automatic renewal law covers club contracts) (official, 2026-10-11)
14. Minn. Stat. § 325G.60 – Termination election requirement (official, 2026-10-11)
15. Minn. Stat. § 325G.57, subd. 2 – termination options in confirmation (official, 2026-10-11)
16. Minn. Stat. § 325G.59 – Consumer's right to terminate (official, 2026-10-11)
17. Minn. Stat. § 325G.58 – Prohibited conduct (applies to club contracts) (official, 2026-10-11)
18. Minn. Stat. § 325G.62 – Exemption (official, 2026-10-11)

This page explains the law in plain words. It is not legal advice and may not cover every case; laws change, so check the official text or ask a lawyer about your situation. CancelSent is not a law firm and does not give legal advice. We prepare, print and mail the letter you sign, as your mailing service. Whether and when a gym cancels depends on your agreement and the law where you live.