The state of New York has announced a $600,000 settlement with fitness giant Equinox Group after an investigation found the company made it unnecessarily difficult for customers to cancel gym memberships.
As reported by FingerLakes1.com in Seneca Falls, N.Y., the settlement requires Equinox, SoulCycle and Equinox+ to provide refunds of up to $250 to eligible New York customers who attempted to cancel their memberships between Feb. 9, 2021, and Dec. 31, 2024, but were unsuccessful. The deadline to submit claims is Aug. 2, 2025.
The New York attorney general’s investigation found multiple violations of New York’s subscription transparency law, including:
- Failing to clearly disclose subscription terms and automatic renewal conditions
- Hiding key cancellation terms in fine print or complex legal documents
- Not providing the legally required post-purchase acknowledgment
- Requiring a burdensome and confusing process to cancel subscriptions
“New Yorkers should be able to cancel a membership they no longer use or want without breaking a sweat,” said attorney general Letitia James, as reported by FingerLakes1.com. “This settlement ensures better transparency and protections for consumers.”
In addition to financial penalties and restitution, the settlement compels Equinox Group to improve its business practices, including:
- Obtaining clear, informed consent for recurring charges
- Providing accessible cancellation instructions in every subscription agreement
- Creating an easy-to-find cancellation webpage for each of its brands
Sending consumers a confirmation email with cancellation terms after sign-up
These changes are designed to ensure that customers can cancel gym memberships quickly, easily and online, as required under state law.
The Equinox action reflects an ongoing effort by James to protect New York consumers from subscription traps and aggressive retention schemes. The attorney general's office sued SiriusXM in 2023 over difficult cancellation processes, and a 2024 court ruling found the satellite radio company violated New York law.
