It can be hard to admit that expensive gym membership just isn’t worth it.
But Equinox and its sister brand SoulCycle made quitting the gym extra difficult and ran afoul of state and federal consumer protection laws, according to New York Attorney General Letitia James.
An investigation by the attorney general’s office looking at their practices between February 2021 and July 2024 found that the exercise chains did not adequately inform consumers about strict cancellation policies and memberships that automatically renew, costing some New Yorkers hundreds or thousands of dollars.
Now, as part of a settlement with the attorney general’s office, parent company Equinox Group will have to pay up to a collective $600,000 to New Yorkers who have been enrolled at its high-end workout facilities.
“New Yorkers should be able to cancel a membership they no longer use or want without breaking a sweat,” James said in a statement about the settlement on Friday.
Equinox Group has agreed to provide refunds of up to $250 to individual New Yorkers who have complained about the company’s practices, either to the company itself or the Federal Trade Commission, Better Business Bureau or attorney general’s office.
New Yorkers who first subscribed to Equinox, SoulCycle, or Equinox+ online fitness classes between Feb. 9, 2021, and May 19 of this year are also entitled to up to $100 in restitution, as is anyone who tried to cancel a membership during that time.
The settlement requires Equinox Group to change its practices to ensure that gymgoers know exactly what they’re signing up for and to make information about canceling memberships easily accessible. Equinox said its policies have already been changed.
“Prior to being made aware of this inquiry, we had already begun to make changes to our terms and conditions in conformance with all statutory requirements, and our policies are in full compliance,” said Dan Bank, a spokesperson for Equinox. “We are pleased that this matter is resolved.”
Equinox gyms did not previously make it clear enough to consumers that “monthly” memberships — which typically start at upwards of $200 per month — locked them into a minimum yearlong obligation, according to James’ investigation. Her office found that even those who tried to cancel after the one-year period couldn’t always do so in a single gym visit.
Equinox and SoulCycle also sold exercise class packages that automatically renewed without getting sufficient consent, the investigation found.
In one complaint about Equinox shared by the attorney general’s office, a person who had joined with their husband wrote, “I recently got laid off from my job and I am unable to pay for both memberships. When I called Equinox to inform them about my situation they told me that I was locked into a contract.”
New Yorkers have until Aug. 2 to claim the restitution funds. SoulCycle subscribers should email [email protected]. Equinox Gym and Equinox+ subscribers should email [email protected]. Subscriber restitution requests should include the person’s name and the phone number or email address associated with their gym account.
