In a decisive ruling that rewards years of sustained HFA advocacy efforts, the US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit has completely invalidated the Federal Trade Commission’s controversial “Click-to-Cancel” regulation. The decision delivers a powerful blow to federal overreach while protecting the operational flexibility that fitness businesses need to serve their communities effectively.

A Hard-Fought Victory Against Regulatory Overreach

The court’s decision represents the culmination of an intensive, multi-year campaign led by HFA to challenge an ill-conceived and legally flawed mandate. The ruling validates the fitness sector’s central argument: Federal regulators exceeded their statutory authority while imposing sweeping requirements that fundamentally misunderstood how modern fitness businesses operate.

HFA’s strategic response to this regulatory threat demonstrates the power of coordinated advocacy. The association’s comprehensive approach included:

● Submitting detailed formal comments during the initial proposal phase;

● Filing amicus briefs that highlighted the rule’s flaws in practical operational terms; and

● Orchestrating a sophisticated Capitol Hill strategy alongside the US Chamber of Commerce and allied business organizations.

Setting a Standard for Regulatory Action

The FTC victory establishes import­ant precedent for future regulatory challenges while demonstrating the effectiveness of sustained, strategic advocacy. Federal agencies must now account for this judicial rebuke of overreaching regulation that fails to consider operational realities.

As the industry continues growing, its enhanced advocacy capabilities ensure that policy development will be informed by practical experience rather than regulatory assumptions.