Before 2024 Ends, Here’s How to Use Your FSA/HSA on Eligible Fitness Equipment

The list is fairly expansive, and includes everything from ibuprofen to massage guns—basically anything that can be considered health-related or medicinal. Even dependent care can be covered. However, for fitness-y things, the rules are a bit more abstract. While products like the Oura ring or over-the-counter continuous glucose monitors like the Lingo are covered without the need of a doctor’s note because they’re health monitors, other things like treadmills and exercise bikes are a bit more tricky.

The majority of fitness equipment and gym memberships and fitness classes can be covered by your FSA/HSA funds, but you’ll need your doctor to fill out a Letter of Medical Necessity to use the funds to purchase them. This just means that your doctor feels as though it’s pertinent to your health to obtain these services and/or equipment. For example, my gym membership is covered by my FSA funds because I have a history of herniated discs that require me to continually exercise to lower my risk of re-injury. There are myriad reasons why someone might need these goods and services to be covered for their health. For me, it’s been a fairly simple process, and my doctor was the one who actually guided me through it.

Almost all recovery equipment—be it leg sleeves, massage guns, or ice baths—is already covered and easy to purchase in any number of ways. The same goes for most supplements, orthotic insoles for shoes, and ice packs.

Typically, you purchase the product as you would normally, and then you submit a claim for those purchases on your insurer’s or employer’s website. So save your receipts. It can be tedious, but that’s most of bureaucracy. Having done this myself, I can tell you that having to scan and import every receipt is a pain, but do you know what isn’t? Getting that check in the mail. The best way to get approved is by perusing in advance what’s covered on your specific insurer’s website, and also, again, working with your providers to get other needs covered.

If you’re lucky enough to have an insurer that issues FSA debit cards, you simply use those at the point of purchase. This is harder to do on disputed items like electric bicycles but, again, not impossible. Stores like Amazon, FSAstore, Target, CVS, and Walgreens have FSA/HSA eligible tags on the product descriptions for most equipment that falls under a plan.

An Easy-to-Use Foldable Mill

The Sole F80 is one of our favorite folding treadmills. I found it easy to operate, comfortable to run on, and super easy to fold up and move around.

FSA-Certified Wearable

We love this wearable. The sleep tracking and consistent oxygen and heart rate monitoring helps with recovery. Knowing your metrics helps you find your best training style.

Theragun Made Cheaper

TheraGun Prime Plus Heated Massage Gun

The TheraGun is “compact, yet offers a deep, powerful massage,” says contributing writer Cory Smith. “Its quiet but powerful, five-speed motor creates 40 pounds of stall force, which is plenty to dig deep into those hard-to-reach muscles.”

For Cross-Training

BowFlex Max Trainer M6 Elliptical

Ellipticals are actually great for cross-training, and Bowflex makes one of our favorites. It’s easy on the joints but still takes some level of effort to motor.

An Anti-Chafing Wonder

Megababe Thigh Rescue Anti-Chafing Stick

Anti-chafing sticks aren’t just for marathons. They’re great for regular training, sweaty days, and anyone with breasts that are giving into gravity. We love this one for its light feel and slippery texture.

Our Preferred Walking Pad

GoYouth 2-in-1 Under-Desk Electric Treadmill

Now 53% Off

We love this under desk treadmill because, as we found, “the wheels underneath make it a breeze to move around.” And “despite being lightweight, it feels sturdy underfoot, and it can comfortably reach speeds up to 6 miles per hour.”