You Won't Believe What Happens When You Try to Cancel Your Crunch Fitness Membership! 3 Shocking Consequences!

A recent saga involving a woman’s struggle to cancel her Crunch Fitness membership has gone viral on TikTok, highlighting the frustrations many gym-goers face with cancellation policies at fitness chains. The account, shared by TikToker Lissss (@lis.kay00), recounts her ordeal after relocating to Chicago from Madison, Wisconsin, just months after signing up for what was marketed as a “no-commitment” membership.

Initially, Lissss attempted to cancel her membership in person but was met with unexpected charges on her bank statement. After calling Crunch customer service, she was informed that the charge was an annual fee, which, unfortunately, was non-refundable. Accepting this loss, she believed her troubles were over, but that was far from the case.

About three months later, she discovered that Crunch continued to withdraw monthly fees from her account, leading her to call customer service again. This time, she spoke with an employee who claimed her membership had been canceled. However, the charges persisted, prompting Lissss to escalate the matter.

In her TikTok video, which has garnered over 445,000 views, she describes a fourth call to the gym, where she spoke with an assistant general manager named Chloe, who reassured her that the membership would be canceled. When Lissss inquired about a refund, Chloe candidly remarked that her general manager, Josh, was difficult to work with.

The unraveling saga continued as Lissss received yet another failed charge from Crunch, signaling that her membership was still active. Frustrated after seven months of calls, she took to social media for advice and ultimately reported Crunch Fitness to the Better Business Bureau (BBB). This move seemed to prompt a response, as a manager reached out to her, leading to a promise of a refund.

Crunch Fitness, a popular gym franchise known for its low-cost memberships, seems to have a convoluted cancellation process that varies by location. This inconsistency can lead to confusion and, as seen in Lissss’s case, ongoing charges even after attempts to cancel. TikTok users chimed in with similar experiences, some stating they had faced months of unexpected charges or struggled for years to fully cancel their memberships.

“No. It took me 2 years to cancel/stop getting charged. It. Just. Kept. Happening,” one Reddit user recalled, echoing the frustrations experienced by many others. Such experiences culminated in a class-action lawsuit against Crunch Fitness in Pennsylvania, where former members alleged that the chain was automatically renewing and altering memberships without proper consent.

Understanding the Gym Cancellation Dilemma

The issue of gym cancellations is not unique to Crunch Fitness. Many fitness centers employ similar policies that can create pitfalls for members attempting to extricate themselves from contracts. Often, gym chains are incentivized to retain members through complex contracts and fees, leading to frustration when individuals wish to cancel. For those like Lissss, it becomes a challenge to navigate customer service systems that are not always forthcoming or efficient.

In the comments section of Lissss’s TikTok, viewers offered practical suggestions, such as always requesting confirmation emails for cancellations or disputing charges with banks if cancellations are ignored. In a follow-up video, she confirmed that her persistent efforts paid off, and she finally received her refund. However, complications arose again when a balance appeared on her account, which was later rectified after another call.

While Lissss’s story may seem like an isolated incident, it serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance when it comes to gym memberships. The complexities of cancellation policies and customer service can lead to financial frustrations that many gym-goers might not anticipate. As the industry continues to grow, consumers are advised to read the fine print and ensure they have a clear understanding of what it means to join—and exit—a gym membership.

Crunch Fitness has yet to respond to inquiries regarding this situation. For anyone considering a fitness membership, especially at large chains, it might be wise to explore the cancellation policies beforehand to avoid unnecessary financial pitfalls.