SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Napoleon Harris III supported a measure to stop gyms and fitness centers from canceling or changing benefits of a promised lifetime membership.

“Gyms are offering lifetime memberships only to raise prices and cut benefits a year later,” said Harris (D-Harvey). “This law cracks down on gyms using deceptive marketing tactics to take advantage of people just trying to improve their lives through fitness.”   

Gyms and fitness centers advertise lifetime memberships, but under state law, gym contracts can only be a maximum of one year. Functionally, these lifetime memberships are just one-year contracts that auto-renew. This is where the hidden price increases or benefit reductions can happen without the consumer knowing.

The law is designed to prevent fitness centers and gyms from changing prices or reducing benefits for any lifetime membership price they advertise. Under the new law, if a fitness center wants to change prices or benefits for one of these contracts, they must clearly disclose their intention when the gym membership contract is being signed.

Senate Bill 314 was signed into law Aug. 15 and takes effect Jan. 1, 2026.