There’s a number that’s been quietly capping what a California gym can charge you upfront for years, and most members have never heard of it. That’s about to change — or at least, it might. A bill sitting on Governor Newsom’s desk would remove that cap for a specific kind of gym. Here’s what the bill would actually do, and why it isn’t law yet.
California AB 2402 targets a two-decade-old fee cap
Since 2005, California has capped what certain health clubs can charge you in membership fees. A new bill in Sacramento would change that — but only for a defined category of gym.
Under the 2005 Health Studio Services Act, California caps health club membership fees at $4,400, according to the Health & Fitness Association — a figure that may sound familiar if you’ve ever signed a long-term contract at a larger club. Assembly Bill 2402 would remove that cap specifically for what it calls “multiservice health club studios.”
What the bill would change for larger, amenity-rich clubs
What AB 2402 would do: lift the $4,400 fee ceiling for clubs offering three or more extras — personal training, group classes, childcare, pools, or digital platforms. Those larger operators would gain room to set membership pricing without the two-decade-old limit, per the bill text on LegiScan.
If you belong to a smaller, single-service gym, this bill wouldn’t touch your membership terms. But if you’re weighing a membership at a bigger club with a pool or an app-based training platform, you’re the exact member this bill was written around.
The bill’s path through Sacramento so far
AB 2402 passed the California Assembly on April 20, 2026. It then cleared the state Senate by a 39-0 vote on August 18, 2026, before being enrolled and presented to the governor on August 24, 2026.
A unanimous Senate vote is a strong signal of where lawmakers landed. It isn’t the same as a governor’s signature, though — that’s the step that would actually make this bill law.
Why this is still a “pending” story, not a done deal
As of this writing, no signature or veto has been reported on AB 2402’s official bill tracker. The fee cap is still in effect right now, for every multiservice club in the state.
If you’re mid-negotiation on a membership at a larger California club, the terms you’re offered today are still governed by the existing $4,400 limit. That could shift quickly if the governor acts.
What this could mean for your next membership contract
If AB 2402 is signed, larger clubs would gain room to structure fees differently than they have in two decades. That’s according to the Health & Fitness Association’s summary of the bill. You might see new pricing tiers or higher upfront costs at amenity-heavy studios.
None of that is guaranteed yet, and it wouldn’t apply retroactively to a contract you’ve already signed. It’s a reason to watch the news, not to panic about your current membership.
If you try one thing, ask any larger California gym you’re considering whether its pricing is tied to the current fee cap. That way you’re not surprised by new terms if this bill is signed before your next renewal.
This article was produced with the assistance of AI and reviewed by Womens Overview editors prior to publication.