NEW YORK – Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) today launched a compliance effort targeting gyms and health clubs. Warning notices were sent to 187 businesses, including PureGym, Planet Fitness, and Equinox.
The letters urge compliance with state law and the city’s Consumer Protection law, which prohibits deceptive advertising practices – such as bait-and-switch pricing – that intentionally make membership cancellations difficult. This action follows Mayor Mamdani’s executive order directing the DCWP to investigate and address hidden junk fees and subscription traps.
“New Yorkers shouldn’t need a personal trainer to cancel a gym membership,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “If a company makes it easy to sign up but nearly impossible to walk away, we will enforce the law and protect your time and your money.”
DCWP Commissioner Sam Levine echoed this sentiment, stating, “Going to the gym is good for your health, but having to jump through hoops to cancel an unwanted membership is a waste of your time and money. Our citywide warning to gyms makes it clear that DCWP will not hesitate to take aggressive enforcement action against gyms using deceptive tactics that hurt consumers, as well as honest businesses playing by the rules.”
The DCWP has identified tactics such as offering free memberships that later incur unexpected fees, and imposing burdensome administrative requirements as examples of practices that hinder cancellation requests. Mayor Mamdani’s executive order directs the DCWP to monitor, investigate, and enforce violations related to these “subscription tricks and traps.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted this action by the Mayor’s office?
Mayor Mamdani’s executive order directed the DCWP to lead a citywide crackdown on hidden junk fees and subscription traps.
Which gyms are included in this compliance effort?
Warning notices were sent to 187 gyms and health clubs across the city, including PureGym, Planet Fitness, and Equinox.
What specific practices are the DCWP targeting?
The DCWP is focused on practices that make cancelling memberships intentionally difficult, such as bait-and-switch pricing and burdensome administrative requirements.
As the DCWP begins its enforcement efforts, it remains to be seen how gyms will respond and whether further action will be required to ensure fair and transparent cancellation policies for New York City consumers.
