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.
Refunds available for impacted New Yorkers
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 February 9, 2021 and December 31, 2024 but were unsuccessful.
- Subscribers to Equinox or Equinox+ must email: [email protected]
- SoulCycle subscribers must email: [email protected]
- Deadline to submit claims: August 2, 2025
- Refunds of up to $100 per eligible claim
Claimants must provide their name and the email or phone number associated with the membership account.
Violations of NY subscription laws
The 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. “This settlement ensures better transparency and protections for consumers.”
Required changes to subscription practices
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.
Pattern of aggressive enforcement
This isn’t the first time Attorney General James has cracked down on deceptive subscription practices. In recent years:
- Her office sued SiriusXM in 2023 over difficult cancellation processes
- A 2024 court ruling found the satellite radio company violated New York law
The Equinox action reflects an ongoing effort to protect New York consumers from subscription traps and aggressive retention schemes.
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