A Reddit user shared his frustration with an email he says they received from their gym while trying to cancel their gym membership in an already viral post.
u/TheGeekThatStoleTech posted a screenshot of an email received from Blink Fitness on the popular ‘Mildly Annoying’ Reddit forum, where it has received 65,000 upvotes since it was posted on Wednesday.
The message contained information about what is needed to successfully cancel their Blink Fitness membership, including proof of relocation.
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According to a 2021 IHRSA report, gym memberships were frozen or canceled during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a 58 percent decline in revenue and 17 percent of fitness clubs closed.
In 2019, members paid an average of $52 per month for a fitness club membership, with two in five members paying less than $25 per month.
“How far are you going to move from Blink’s location?” read the line at the beginning of the email u/TheGeekThatStoleTech received. According to their website, Blink Fitness has offices in California, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia.
The message went on and required confirmation of the move, their member ID, and membership email.
Valid evidence of a move would include a lease, utility bill, or a recently issued driver’s license.
After receiving the necessary documentation, the email stated that they “will continue to help.”
According to its website, Blink Fitness’s cancellation policy may vary between different membership agreements.
If someone signed up with a 12 month commitment, they must provide notice before canceling their membership. There are a few exceptions where a member can cancel their annual membership without paying a redemption fee.
People can also pay for a “no-obligation monthly membership agreement” which also requires notice before cancellation.
“If you cancel, you will be required to pay a pro rata amount for the notice period,” the website says.
Some cancellation exceptions include members who are physically unable to receive services due to a “significant physical disability”, which requires a signed letter from a physician, or if the member moves to a new area that is more than 25 miles from a health club. operated by Blink Fitness.
“None of Their Damn Business”
In the comments section, u/TheGeekThatStoleTech said they pay for a monthly membership.
Fellow redditors shared their thoughts in the comments section, some of whom said they had a similar experience.
One person said he tried to cancel his gym membership but kept paying for two months until he returned.
“They then said they had no record of my leaving so I went to my bank and blocked payments from them,” they wrote.
“I also had a hell of a time canceling them,” another Reddit user commented. “You must do it in person or write a letter.”
“Why is every gym so pushy when people cancel?” asked a Reddit user.
“They make money by people joining but not showing up,” the comment says.
“Tf? It’s none of their fucking business,” another Reddit user commented. “Just put a stop on whatever card you used and tell them to back off.”
Newsweek contacted u/TheGeekThatStoleTech and Blink Fitness.
Other gym membership stories have previously gone viral.
A woman shared a video in which she accused Planet Fitness of stealing her money after she canceled her membership six times.
Another woman posted a video and revealed that an Anytime Fitness employee refused to cancel her membership until she went to private workouts.
One Reddit user revealed in a viral post that instead of getting a pay raise, their boss told them to cancel their gym membership.