News Summary
Equinox Group has agreed to a $600,000 settlement with the New York State Attorney General’s Office following complaints about difficult membership cancellations. Customers will be eligible for refunds, and the company must improve its cancellation procedures and make subscription terms clearer. The settlement aims to protect consumer rights and ensure transparency within the fitness industry. Equinox Group is now required to implement significant changes to how it handles memberships, eliminating complex cancellation processes that hinder customers.
New York – A settlement of $600,000 has been reached between the New York State Attorney General’s Office and Equinox Group, the parent company of popular fitness brands including Equinox, Equinox+, and SoulCycle. This agreement follows numerous complaints from customers who reported difficulties in canceling their fitness memberships, prompting an investigation by the Attorney General’s office.
The investigation revealed that Equinox Group had failed to comply with New York law by not providing clear disclosures related to subscription terms. Specifically, the company did not offer an easy-to-use online cancellation tool for its customers, making the cancellation process problematic for subscribers wishing to discontinue their memberships.
Under the terms of the settlement, Equinox Group is required to reform its subscription practices significantly. New York subscribers who attempted to cancel their memberships between February 9, 2021, and May 19, 2025, are eligible for refunds of up to $100. To request restitution, customers must reach out to Equinox Group via email by July 19, 2025.
Additionally, the settlement mandates that Equinox improve the clarity of its disclosures concerning subscription terms and cancellation policies. The company must also ensure that it obtains informed consent from customers for automatic renewals, which were previously buried in fine print or complex documents that made them hard to understand.
The New York Attorney General, Leticia James, highlighted that consumers should easily be able to cancel memberships without unnecessary hurdles. The previous structure of the cancellation process was reported to be complex, difficult, and time-consuming, which prompted the Attorney General’s office to take action.
Equinox Group claims that prior to the investigation, it was already in the process of revising its terms and conditions. As part of the settlement, Equinox must now clearly disclose cancellation information within subscription agreements and ensure that it is prominently displayed on accessible parts of its website. These changes aim to prevent similar issues from arising in the future and to enhance customer experience.
The $600,000 settlement is part of a larger effort by the Attorney General’s office to protect consumer rights in New York State. Many residents have struggled with gym memberships and similar subscriptions that are often difficult to navigate, particularly when looking to terminate services. This case represents a significant step towards enforcing transparency and accountability among fitness service providers.
The effort to clarify membership cancellation processes arises from a growing awareness of consumer challenges associated with subscription services, not only in the fitness sector but across various industries. As the popularity of subscription-based models continues to rise, oversight and consumer protections have become increasingly important. The New York Attorney General’s office is taking proactive measures to ensure that subscribers are treated fairly and transparently.
Moving forward, Equinox Group’s commitment to reforming its subscription practices will be closely monitored by regulatory authorities, and the effectiveness of these changes will likely set a precedent for accountability within the broader fitness industry.
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