Water holds up much of your body weight, which is why a pool is where many people exercise when running or lifting hurts. Aqua fitness covers lap swimming, water aerobics, aqua jogging and swim lessons for adults who never learned. Employers include it in LSAs because it's one of the few workouts that suits almost every age, size and fitness level.
Who gets the most from aqua fitness
Employees with sore knees, hips or backs often find the pool is the only place they can exercise without pain. Pregnant employees and people carrying extra weight use water classes because they take pressure off the joints. Former competitive swimmers join masters teams to train with others again. Adults who never learned to swim, or who feel nervous in deep water, use lessons to gain a basic safety skill and to be able to join their kids at the pool. Many employers pair it with broader programs, such as wellness stipends.
Pool and aquatic fitness costs an LSA often covers
Most claims are for pool access, classes and the basic gear needed to use them.
- Community pool or aquatic center memberships
- Water aerobics and deep-water interval classes
- Adult learn-to-swim and stroke clinics
- Masters swim team dues
- Aqua jogging belts, kickboards and pull buoys
- Swimsuits, goggles and swim caps for training
- Open-water swim clinics and race entry fees
To compare this with other popular categories, read our breakdown of LSA eligible expenses.
What aqua fitness plans tend to exclude
- Aquatic therapy prescribed by a physical therapist is a medical expense for the health plan, HSA or FSA rather than the LSA.
- Backyard pools, hot tubs and pool maintenance are generally out of scope.
- Resort or hotel pool day passes on vacation may be excluded as travel or leisure spending.
- Plans may limit swim lessons to the employee or treat children's lessons under a family category instead.
- Swim meet and triathlon travel is often treated as a travel cost, even when the entry fee is covered.
Designing an aqua fitness category
Fold pool access into fitness memberships
Many employers already cover gym memberships. Make sure the wording includes aquatic centers and community pools, which aren't always called gyms.
Keep aquatic therapy with the health plan
Classes and lap swimming belong here, while water-based therapy prescribed for an injury belongs with medical coverage. A line in the description helps reviewers.
Cover adult lessons
Learning to swim as an adult can feel awkward to ask about. Naming adult lessons as eligible signals that it's welcome.
Frequently asked questions
Can an LSA pay for water aerobics or a pool membership?
Many employers include both under a fitness or physical wellbeing category. Your plan decides the details, including whether community pools and aquatic centers count alongside gyms. A multi-class pass is usually treated the same as a membership.
Can I use my LSA for my kids' swim lessons?
Some plans allow it, either here or under a family or dependent activities category. Others limit fitness spending to the employee, so check your plan's rules. Children's lessons are one of the more common requests.
Is aquatic therapy covered?
Therapy prescribed for an injury or condition is usually a medical expense for the health plan, and may be HSA or FSA eligible. General water exercise classes are the kind of thing an LSA typically covers.
Does swim gear count?
Basic training gear like goggles, caps and kickboards is often allowed. Some plans exclude swimwear or set a low cap on apparel. Wetsuits for open-water swimming may fall under a higher-cost gear cap.
LSA funds are generally treated as taxable income. Learn more about how LSA reimbursements are taxed.
This content is general information, not medical, legal, tax, or financial advice. Employer plan terms determine eligibility, and requirements may vary by location.
