HSA/FSA Eligible Workout Equipment for Your Health Needs

💡 Quick Answer: Yes, workout equipment is HSA eligible when used to prevent or treat medical conditions. The IRS recognizes medical expenses under Publication 502 when recommended by a healthcare provider. You need a Letter of Medical Necessity, and Crates Health gets you approved in minutes.

The Hidden Cost Of Your Home Gym

A smart bike or rower can cost 1,500 to 3,500 dollars. A compact strength system or treadmill can run even higher. Add accessories and subscriptions and you are quickly into four figures each year. With an LMN, HSA funds can cover medically necessary equipment, which turns a big outlay into a tax advantage.

Why Equipment Can Be Medical

Exercise is a first line intervention for cardiometabolic risk, blood pressure, insulin sensitivity, osteoporosis prevention, and post injury function. The AHA recommendations set the target of 150 minutes weekly plus strength sessions. When a facility is impractical or you require specific equipment to execute the plan, a provider can recommend a home setup in your LMN.

What The IRS Actually Says

Publication 502 allows equipment and capital expenses when the main purpose is medical care. The IRS nutrition and wellness FAQs confirm the principle: items usually considered wellness can qualify when used to treat a specific condition and documented properly. That is the framework HSA administrators use for exercise gear.

What Qualifies With An LMN

Cardiovascular machines to meet prescribed aerobic minutes for hypertension or diabetes prevention.
Strength systems or free weights to address sarcopenia risk or bone density goals.
Monitors and wearables when used for medical monitoring as part of your plan. FSAFEDS lists activity trackers as eligible with an LMN, and many HSA plans follow the same standard.

Documentation That Works

Precise diagnosis or prevention target.
The exact equipment and medical rationale.
Training frequency, intensity, and metrics.
Duration, usually 12 months, with annual renewal.

See the FSAFEDS LMN checklist for the fields your administrator expects to see.

HSA Mechanics For 2025

HSA limits are 4,300 dollars self only and 8,550 dollars family, with a 1,000 dollar catch up for age 55 plus. Funds roll over and can be invested, which means the earlier you channel eligible purchases through the HSA, the better your long term tax position becomes.

FAQs

Is Peloton or Tonal eligible? Yes, when your LMN ties the equipment to a medical plan such as hypertension management or post injury strength restoration, and you keep itemized receipts.

Can I buy used equipment? Usually yes, as long as you can provide a receipt that matches your LMN and shows what was purchased.

Bottom line: When gear is part of treatment or prevention, it is medical. Put your LMN in place and stop paying with fully taxed dollars.

Get your LMN with Crates Health

About the Author: Anchor Ebanks is the founder of Crates Health and an HSA/FSA optimization expert who has helped users save hundreds of thousands of dollars on wellness expenses. With nearly a decade of experience in technology from Google, YouTube, and Deloitte, an MBA from Harvard Business School, and an AI research fellowship at Harvard’s Berkman Klein Center, Anchor combines technical expertise with deep knowledge of health benefits and tax optimization. As a health coach who has guided dozens through their wellness journeys, Anchor founded Crates Health to help millions live healthier and wealthier with a focus on democratizing access to preventive health.

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