First, work out your contract type
How easily you can leave depends on the membership you're on. Rolling, no-contract memberships — the kind chains like PureGym and The Gym Group are built around — can usually be cancelled yourself in the app or online, often with about a month's notice and no exit fee. Fixed-term contracts, more common at gyms like David Lloyd and Nuffield Health, tie you in for a minimum period (often 12 months) with a fee to leave early. Check your welcome email or account to see which you're on before you do anything else.
Transferring to a branch near your new home
If your gym is part of a chain, moving house doesn't always mean cancelling. Many chains let you switch your home club to a branch near your new address — usually by changing it in the app or asking staff. It's often quicker than cancelling and re-joining, though the monthly price can differ between locations, so check before you switch.
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Get my free moving plan →Cancelling: how much notice, and what it costs
To cancel, give notice the way your contract asks for — usually in writing, and email is normally fine. A 30-day notice period is typical, so you may pay for one more month. Cancel with the gym first, then stop the direct debit; cancelling the direct debit alone can leave you chased for missed payments. While you're sorting your finances, update your bank address so any refund reaches you. On a rolling, no-minimum-term membership there's usually no fee — you just serve the notice.
Moving out of the area: leaving a fixed-term contract early
If you're still inside a minimum term, look for a relocation clause. Many gyms let you leave without the early-exit fee if you move a set distance from the nearest branch — the threshold varies by gym, often somewhere around 10 miles, so check your own contract. You'll usually need proof of your new address, such as a tenancy agreement or a utility bill. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has said terms that stop you cancelling when a house move makes the gym impractical to reach, or unaffordable, can be unfair.
If your gym won't let you cancel
Start with the manager and put your request in writing. For contracts from 1 October 2015, an unfair term isn't binding on you under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 — and the CMA has said a minimum term longer than 12 months is likely to be unfair unless you can give 30 days' notice for a modest sum. If the gym still refuses despite a genuine move, contact the Citizens Advice consumer service for guidance on your next steps. See our full moving checklist for everything else to sort while you're at it.