If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, or certain Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans, you may qualify for a free or nearly free membership at a gym or fitness center near you.
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not pay for a gym or fitness membership. However, most Medicare Advantage plans include a fitness benefit, and some Medicare Supplement insurers add one as an extra perk. Insurers such as UnitedHealthcare, Humana, Aetna and many Blue Cross Blue Shield plans provide these memberships through fitness partners.
Important for 2027: Fitness benefits are optional extras, and insurers can add or drop them every year. Fewer plans offered a gym benefit in 2026 than in 2025, and some plans switched partners. Before you re-enroll this fall, check your plan’s Annual Notice of Change to make sure your gym benefit is still included.
The Main Medicare Fitness Programs
The major fitness partners for Medicare plans are SilverSneakers, Silver&Fit and Renew Active. They work with health insurers and fitness centers to provide memberships for older adults, usually at no extra cost.
- SilverSneakers is offered by many Medicare Advantage plans, including Humana and a growing number of Blue Cross plans. It includes access to thousands of participating gyms, group classes, community classes in parks and community centers, and live and on-demand online workouts.
- Silver&Fit is offered through certain Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans. Besides gym access, members can get up to two free home fitness kits a year, online classes and a rewards program.
- Renew Active is UnitedHealthcare’s own program for its Medicare Advantage plans and AARP Medicare Supplement plans. It has the largest gym network of the three, along with on-demand workouts and AARP Staying Sharp brain-health activities. Access to premium gyms is included only with certain plans.
FitOn Health, which some Blue Cross plans previously used, left the Medicare benefit market after 2025. If your plan used FitOn, it most likely switched you to SilverSneakers or another program for 2026; your plan can tell you which one.
Gyms commonly covered by these programs include many YMCAs, Planet Fitness, Anytime Fitness, Crunch and local community fitness centers. The list varies by program, by plan and by location, and some gyms (such as Life Time) are available only with certain plans or for an extra fee.
How to Get Your Free Gym Membership
- Find out which program your plan includes. Look at your plan’s Evidence of Coverage or call the member services number on your insurance card. Ask which fitness program is included and whether there is any cost. You can also check your eligibility online:
- Find a participating gym near you. Enter your zip code to see covered fitness centers. You can filter for amenities you want, such as a pool or group classes.
- Pick the gym that suits you. Consider location, hours, classes, and facilities like a pool. If you already have a gym in mind, for example one where friends are members, you can simply ask the front desk whether they accept your Medicare plan’s fitness program.
- Get your member ID. Each program gives you a fitness member ID, usually online or through its app. Bring it with your insurance card when you sign up.
- Enroll at the gym. It’s usually best to enroll in person so you can get answers to your questions. Ask whether any classes, personal training or premium amenities cost extra.
You can also browse the list of participating health plans for each program:
- SilverSneakers Participating Health Plans
- Silver&Fit Participating Health Plans
- Renew Active (UnitedHealthcare)
Choosing a Plan With a Gym Benefit During Open Enrollment
Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period runs from October 15 to December 7, 2026, and changes take effect January 1, 2027. If a gym membership matters to you, this is the time to check.
- Use the Medicare Plan Finder to compare plans in your area. Plan details list fitness benefits under extra benefits.
- Don’t choose a plan for the gym alone. Doctors, drug coverage and out-of-pocket costs matter far more than a gym membership.
- For free, unbiased help comparing plans, contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).
If Your Plan Doesn’t Include a Gym Membership
You still have low-cost options:
- YMCA: Many YMCAs offer senior rates and financial assistance based on income.
- Senior and community centers: Many offer free or low-cost exercise classes such as walking groups, chair yoga and water aerobics.
- Budget gyms: Chains such as Planet Fitness have basic memberships for around $15 a month.
- Parks and recreation departments: Many towns offer senior fitness programs and discounted pool passes.
Free Home Exercise Programs
SilverSneakers, Silver&Fit and Renew Active also offer free home exercise programs for members, including live online classes and on-demand videos.
Read more at:
AARP Exercises
AARP offers free exercise videos, such as indoor walking and core strength workouts, to members and non-members at:
As always, talk with your doctor before starting a new exercise program.
