A Reddit user shared their frustration over the email they said they received from their gym when they tried to cancel their gym membership in a now-viral post.
u/TheGeekThatStoleTech posted a screenshot of the reported email they received from Blink Fitness on the popular Reddit forum "Mildly Infuriating," where it received 65,000 votes since it was shared on Wednesday.
The message contained information about what was required to successfully cancel their Blink Fitness membership, including proof of relocation.
Per a 2021 report by IHRSA, gym memberships were frozen or canceled during the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in revenue decreasing 58 percent, while 17 percent of fitness clubs closed.
In 2019, members paid $52 on an average monthly basis for a fitness club membership, while two out of five members paid less than $25 per month.
"How far will you be moving from a blink location?" read a line from the top of the email that u/TheGeekThatStoleTech received. According to their website, Blink Fitness had locations in California, Florida, Illinois, Massachusets, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia.
The message continued and requested proof of relocation, their member ID and membership email.
"Valid proof of relocation would include a lease agreement, utility bill or a newly issued driver's license," the message said.
Upon receiving the required documentation, the email said they would "assist further."
According to its website, the cancellation policy for Blink Fitness may vary based on 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 in which a member can cancel their annual membership without paying a buy-out fee.
People can also choose to pay for a "monthly/no-commitment membership agreement," which also requires notice before cancelation.
"When you cancel you will be required to pay the prorated amount for the notice period," the website said.
Some of the cancellation exceptions include members who cannot physically receive services due to a "significant physical disability," which requires a signed letter from a doctor, or if a member moves to a new area where they are more than 25 miles from a health club operated by Blink Fitness.
In the comments section, u/TheGeekThatStoleTech said they pay for a month-to-month membership.
Fellow Redditors took their thoughts to the comments section, some of whom said they had a similar experience.
One person said they tried to cancel their own gym membership but continued to be charged for two months until they returned.
"Then they said they had no record of me leaving so I went to my bank and blocked payments from them," they wrote.
"I had a hellish time canceling them as well," another Redditor commented. "You have to do it in person or write a letter."
"Why is every gym so pressed when people cancel?" a Reddit user asked.
"They make money from people joining but not showing up," a comment read.
"Tf? That's none of their damn business," another Redditor commented. "Just put a stop payment on whatever card you used and tell them to get bent."
Newsweek reached out to u/TheGeekThatStoleTech and Blink Fitness.
Other stories about gym memberships 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 said that an employee at Anytime Fitness refused to cancel her membership until she took private training sessions.
One Reddit user said in a viral post that instead of receiving a raise, they were told by their boss they should cancel their gym membership.
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