Online fitness apps put workouts on a phone, TV or laptop: guided strength sessions, running plans, yoga flows and live-streamed classes. They suit people who can't reach a gym on a fixed schedule or who prefer to train at home. Employers include them because a monthly subscription is a simple, low-cost way to give a spread-out workforce the same fitness option.
Who signs up for fitness apps through an LSA
Remote employees without a nearby gym use these apps most. Parents often fit in a short session during nap time or after bedtime, which a class schedule doesn't allow. Employees who travel often like having the same program in a hotel room as at home. Beginners who feel uneasy in a gym also start here, since an app lets them learn movements privately. The mix of users is wide, which is why a flexible budget suits this category. Many employers pair it with broader programs, such as wellness stipends.
Fitness app subscriptions commonly covered
Most plans reimburse recurring subscriptions to platforms whose main purpose is exercise or movement. Programs that mix workouts with guided stretching usually count too.
- Monthly or annual subscriptions to on-demand workout apps
- Live-streamed class memberships for cycling, HIIT or barre
- Running and beginner 5K coaching apps
- Yoga and Pilates streaming services
- Strength programming apps with personalized plans
- Virtual personal training check-ins
- Guided mobility and stretching programs
To compare this with other popular categories, read our breakdown of LSA eligible expenses.
Common exclusions for fitness apps
- Connected equipment such as a bike or rower is usually a separate home equipment expense, even when the app requires it.
- General streaming services that happen to include workout videos are typically not covered.
- Apps that provide clinical care, such as physical therapy after an injury, generally belong in the health plan, HSA or FSA.
- Some plans reimburse annual subscriptions only for the months within the current plan year.
- Free trials that convert to paid plans are covered only once a charge appears on a receipt.
Designing an online fitness category
Accept app store billing
Most fitness apps bill through a phone's app store. Allowing those receipts removes the most common reason claims get stuck.
Clarify the line with equipment
Decide whether the subscription a connected bike requires falls in the same category as the bike. Listing both examples in your plan guide avoids confusion.
Allow annual plans
Annual subscriptions usually cost less than paying monthly. If your plan year allows, reimbursing the annual charge lets employees get the better price.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use my LSA for a fitness app subscription?
Most employers with a physical wellbeing category include fitness apps, but your plan decides. Workout, running and yoga apps are the typical examples. Keep your subscription receipts, including those from your phone's app store.
Can I claim both a gym membership and a fitness app?
In many plans, yes, as long as both fit the category and you stay within your annual limit. Some employers cap the number of fitness subscriptions per person, so check your plan.
What about apps that track steps or sleep?
Tracking apps are sometimes included and sometimes not. If the main purpose is general health tracking rather than exercise, your plan may treat it differently or place it in another category.
Can I claim a family subscription?
Plans vary. Some reimburse a family plan if the employee is one of the users, while others cover only an individual subscription. Your plan documents or HR team can confirm.
Because LSAs are post-tax benefits, reimbursements are usually taxable. Read more on 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.
