Short answer. A gym that sells rolling monthly memberships to consumers needs a reminder at least every six months, the 14-day right to cancel set out before sign-up, and an online way to cancel. A free first week or a discounted joining month adds a trial-ending reminder.
Gyms are the textbook rolling subscription: people join on impulse in January, pay monthly and often forget. That is exactly the pattern the draft Regulations target, so a gym should expect the rules to apply.
- Joining offers such as a free week or a cheap first month count as trials or discounts and need an ending reminder.
- Cancelling by visiting the front desk is not an online route. Add an online cancel page.
- Set out the 14-day right to cancel before they pay, not only in a welcome email.
Worked example: Monthly membership
A January joiner on a 7-day free trial, then £39.99 a month.
| Date | Notice | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| 4 January 2027 | Full contract information | At sign-up |
| 4 January 2027 | Cooling-off notice | Cooling-off ends 18 January 2027 |
| 4 January 2027 | Free trial ending reminder | Payment of £39.99 on 11 January 2027 |
| 11 January 2027 | Renewal cooling-off notice | Payment of £39.99 on 11 January 2027. Cooling-off ends 25 January 2027 |
| 4 July 2027 | Six-monthly reminder | Payment of £39.99 on 11 July 2027 |
| 4 January 2028 | Six-monthly reminder | Payment of £39.99 on 11 January 2028 |
| 4 July 2028 | Six-monthly reminder | Payment of £39.99 on 11 July 2028 |
End-of-contract confirmation: Within 24 hours of an online cancellation.
Suggested checkout wording: We'll email you 3 to 7 days before your free trial ends, and before renewal at least every 6 months, 5 to 10 days before the payment. You can cancel online at any time.
Timings use our suggested defaults. The law doesn't fix the number of days; you choose a window and state it at checkout.
Questions
Do day passes count?
A one-off pass that does not renew is not an auto-renewing subscription, so it is unlikely to be covered.
What about annual gym memberships?
A yearly plan needs two reminders before each renewal and a cooling-off notice at renewal.
Not legal advice. If unsure, check with an adviser.