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Best Credit Cards for Fitness Spending: The Break-Even Math on Gym Rewards
July 1, 2025
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Americans spend an average of $696 annually on gym memberships—and that's before adding equipment, athletic apparel, supplements, and fitness classes. If you're investing $1,500+ yearly in your health, you're likely leaving $75-$312 in rewards on the table by using the wrong credit card.
Here's the problem: Most people default to using their everyday spending card (earning 1-1.5% back) for gym memberships and fitness purchases, not realizing that specialized cards offer 2-5x higher returns in these categories.
The opportunity: If you're spending $1,500 annually on fitness:
- At 1.5% cash back (typical everyday card): $22.50 earned
- At 5% cash back (category bonus card): $75 earned
- Difference: $52.50 more per year from simply switching cards
But here's what makes this complicated: Not all "fitness" spending codes the same way. Your gym membership might earn bonus rewards, but your Amazon order for dumbbells might not. Your Lululemon purchase could trigger a statement credit on one card but count as regular spending on another.
This guide breaks down:
- The 5 best credit cards for fitness spending with exact break-even calculations
- Which types of fitness purchases earn bonus rewards (and which don't)
- When a $0 annual fee card beats a $95 premium card
- How to calculate if you're spending enough to justify a fitness-focused card
- Strategic multi-card setups that maximize every fitness dollar
The bottom line upfront: For most fitness enthusiasts spending $1,500-$3,000 annually, the right card delivers $75-$150 in additional rewards. But only if your spending aligns with how cards categorize "fitness."
Let's calculate your optimal fitness card strategy.
How Much Do You Really Spend on Fitness? The True Cost Breakdown
Before choosing a card, you need to know your actual annual fitness spending—it's likely higher than you think.
Calculate Your Annual Fitness Spending
Monthly gym membership: $______ × 12 = $______/year
Fitness equipment & apparel:
- Running shoes (2 pairs/year @ $120): $240
- Workout clothes: $______
- Home equipment (weights, bands, mats): $______
- Subtotal: $______/year
Classes & training:
- Boutique fitness classes: $______
- Personal training sessions: $______
- Subtotal: $______/year
Supplements & recovery:
- Protein powder: $______
- Vitamins & supplements: $______
- Recovery tools (foam rollers, massage): $______
- Subtotal: $______/year
Your total annual fitness spending: $______
Average Spending Tiers
Based on typical fitness enthusiast spending patterns:
Why this matters: A card offering 5% on gym memberships only makes sense if gym fees represent at least 40% of your fitness spending. If you spend $1,000 on equipment but only $696 on gym fees, a 2% everything card might deliver better returns.
The 5 Best Credit Cards for Fitness Spending (By Spending Pattern)
Not all fitness cards work for all fitness enthusiasts. Here's who should get each card based on realistic spending patterns and break-even calculations.
1. US Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card: Best for Pure Gym Membership Rewards
Who this is for: Traditional gym members spending $700-$2,000 annually on memberships at qualifying facilities
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2353", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Cash Back Seekers", "headerHint": "No Annual Fee Card"} ]]
Should you apply?
Yes if: Your gym qualifies (check the merchant list), you spend $700+ annually on membership, and you occasionally shop at sporting goods stores.
No if: You primarily work out at home, your gym isn't on the approved list (many boutique studios aren't), or you spend more on equipment than membership.
2. Citi Double Cash® Card: Best for Comprehensive Fitness Spending
Who this is for: Fitness enthusiasts with diverse spending (gym + equipment + apparel + classes) wanting simplicity
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "580", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Everyday Spenders", "headerHint": "No Annual Fee"} ]]
Should you apply?
Yes if: You hate managing rotating categories, your fitness spending is spread across many merchants (not just traditional gym), or you value simplicity over maximum optimization.
No if: Your spending is concentrated in qualifying categories where 5% cards would earn more.
3. The World of Hyatt Credit Card: Best for Gym + Travel Rewards
Who this is for: Gym members who also travel regularly and can leverage hotel points
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2854", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint" : "Attractive Rewards Rate and Benefits" } ]]
Should you apply?
Yes if: You stay at Hyatt properties 2-4 times/year (free night pays for annual fee), you're working toward a welcome bonus, and you value travel rewards over cash back.
No if: You rarely travel, don't stay at Hyatt hotels, or prefer simple cash back over managing points redemptions.
4. Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Best for Large Equipment Purchases
Who this is for: Fitness enthusiasts making big-ticket equipment purchases (Peloton, treadmill, home gym setup)
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "497", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Cash Back Seekers", "headerHint": "Fantastic Cash Back Card"} ]]
Should you apply?
Yes if: You're planning a major fitness equipment purchase ($1,000+) in the next year, you want interest-free financing, or you frequently shop at stores that code as drugstores for supplements.
No if: You have no large purchases planned and can earn higher rates elsewhere on regular gym/equipment spending.
5. Capital One SavorOne Rewards Credit Card: Best for Dining + Entertainment + Fitness Combo
Who this is for: Social fitness enthusiasts who combine workouts with dining/entertainment (post-workout meals, fitness events)
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "18233", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Everyday Spenders", "headerHint": "8% at Capital One Entertainment Portal"} ]]
Should you apply?
Yes if: You define "fitness spending" broadly to include nutrition (groceries) and social aspects (post-workout brunches), you spend $1,500+ annually on dining, and you want a no-annual-fee card that rewards your entire active lifestyle.
No if: You're looking specifically for high returns on gym memberships and equipment—other cards beat it in those narrow categories.
What Actually Counts as "Fitness" Spending? The Category Coding Problem
Here's the frustrating reality: Not all fitness purchases earn bonus rewards, even on fitness cards.
Purchases That Usually Qualify for Bonus Rewards
✅ Membership dues at:
- National chains: Planet Fitness, LA Fitness, 24 Hour Fitness, Equinox, Lifetime Fitness
- Boutique studios: Orangetheory, F45, SoulCycle, Pure Barre (varies by card)
- YMCA and community fitness centers
✅ Sporting goods stores:
- Dick's Sporting Goods, REI, Sports Authority, Big 5 Sporting Goods, Modell's
Purchases That Often DON'T Qualify
❌ À la carte services:
- Personal training sessions (often coded separately from membership)
- Drop-in fitness classes (may code as entertainment, not fitness)
- Gym childcare fees
- Locker rentals
- Massage therapy at gym
❌ Online fitness:
- Amazon fitness equipment purchases (code as "online retail," not sporting goods)
- Peloton app subscription (may code as streaming service)
- Nike Training Club or Apple Fitness+ (streaming services)
❌ Athletic apparel:
- Lululemon, Nike stores, Adidas (code as clothing retailers, not fitness)
- Online athletic apparel orders
How to verify before applying:
- Check your current credit card statements—how did your gym membership code?
- Look at merchant category code (MCC) lists published by card issuers
- Make a small test purchase on a new card and check statement description
- Call card issuer: "Does [your gym name] qualify for bonus rewards?"
The frustrating truth: A card offering "5% at gyms" might not cover your specific gym, personal training, or most equipment purchases. This is why the Citi Double Cash's simple 2% on everything often delivers better real-world returns than a 5% card with restrictive categories.
Strategic Multi-Card Setup: Maximizing Every Fitness Dollar
Here's the optimal strategy many fitness enthusiasts employ: Don't rely on one card—use a strategic combination that covers different fitness spending categories.
The Multi-Card Approach
The concept: Different cards excel at different types of fitness spending. By strategically using 2-3 cards, you can maximize rewards across all your fitness purchases:
High-earning specialty card (for gym membership)
- Use a card offering 5% on gym memberships for your recurring monthly dues
- This captures the highest rate on your most consistent fitness expense
All-purpose rewards card (for everything else)
- Equipment, apparel, and one-off purchases go on a card offering consistent 2% on all purchases
- Or use a card offering 3% on categories that align with your broader fitness lifestyle (groceries for meal prep, dining for post-workout meals)
Why this works:
- Gym memberships typically represent your largest single recurring fitness expense and benefit most from category-specific high rates
- Equipment and apparel purchases are more varied and often don't qualify for bonus categories, making flat-rate cards more reliable
- Using specialized cards for each spending type can meaningfully increase total annual rewards compared to using a single card
The challenge: Remembering which card to use for which purchase type creates mental overhead.
How Kudos Simplifies Multi-Card Strategy
The problem with multi-card setups: You need to remember which card earns most for each purchase category—gym membership on one card, equipment on another, groceries on a third. It's easy to grab the wrong card and leave rewards on the table.
How Kudos helps:
When you check out online or shop at fitness retailers, Kudos automatically recommends your optimal card:
- "Use your U.S. Bank Cash+ for this gym membership renewal"
- "Use your Capital One SavorOne for this grocery order"
- "You're about to use your 1.5% card but your 2% card earns more here"
The value of automation: Kudos users capture additional rewards they would have otherwise missed simply by using the recommended card at checkout—without needing to memorize category structures or earning rates.
The common problem: Cardholders with multiple cards frequently use suboptimal cards for purchases, leaving rewards on the table. For fitness spending specifically, this often means using an everyday 1.5% card when a 5% gym card or 2-3% category card would earn significantly more.
Sign up for Kudos free to ensure every fitness purchase earns maximum rewards—without the mental gymnastics of remembering category restrictions and bonus rates.
Hidden Fitness Benefits You're Probably Missing
Beyond cash back and points, some credit cards offer fitness-related perks that don't show up in your rewards balance. The average cardholder forgets to redeem $624 in card benefits annually, according to Kudos data.
Premium Card Fitness Perks
American Express Platinum Card®
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "106", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Serious Points on Flights"} ]]
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Purchase Protection & Extended Warranty
Why it matters for fitness equipment:
- Buy a $2,500 Peloton that breaks after 13 months (out of warranty)
- Credit card extended warranty: Covers repairs or replacement
- Value: $300-$2,500 depending on damage
Cards offering best purchase protection:
- Most Visa Signature cards
- American Express cards
How to use it: Buy expensive equipment on a card with purchase protection. If it breaks after manufacturer warranty expires but within card's extended warranty period, file a claim.
Kudos benefit tracking: Kudos reminds you which cards have purchase protection when you're buying expensive fitness equipment, so you don't accidentally use the wrong card.
FAQ: Credit Cards for Fitness Spending
What credit card gives the highest cash back on gym memberships?
The U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card offers the highest cash back rate at gym and fitness club memberships when selected as a quarterly bonus category. However, your gym must be on U.S. Bank's approved merchant list, and you must remember to activate the category each quarter. If you forget activation or your gym doesn't qualify, the Citi Double Cash Card's automatic cash back on all purchases often delivers better real-world returns.
Do fitness equipment purchases count as bonus spending?
It depends on where you buy it. Equipment purchased at sporting goods stores (Dick's Sporting Goods, REI) typically qualifies for bonus rewards on cards like U.S. Bank Cash+. However, equipment bought on Amazon, directly from manufacturers (Peloton, NordicTrack), or at athletic apparel stores usually codes as "online retail" or "general merchandise"—earning only base rewards (1-1.5%). The Citi Double Cash Card often outperforms category-restricted cards for equipment purchases precisely because most equipment doesn't code as "sporting goods."
Should I get a card with an annual fee for fitness rewards?
Only if the rewards and benefits exceed the annual fee by at least $50-$100 to make it worthwhile. For pure fitness spending under $3,000/year, cards like U.S. Bank Cash+ or Citi Double Cash typically deliver better net value because you're not paying $95-$695 upfront to earn $50-$100 in rewards.
Can I use multiple credit cards to maximize fitness rewards?
Yes, and this is actually the optimal strategy for maximizing returns. Use U.S. Bank Cash+ for gym membership, Citi Double Cash for equipment and apparel, and Capital One SavorOne for groceries and post-workout dining. This multi-card approach can earn $90+ annually on $2,500 fitness spending. However, you must remember which card to use for each purchase. Kudos automates this by recommending the optimal card at checkout, helping users capture the full $50+ in extra rewards without mental overhead.
Does personal training count as fitness spending for bonus rewards?
Usually not. Most credit card issuers exclude personal training sessions, private classes, and à la carte gym services from bonus fitness categories—even if you're buying them at a qualifying gym. Only monthly membership dues typically earn bonus rewards. Personal training often codes separately as "professional services" or under a different merchant category code (MCC) than standard gym memberships. Always verify by checking your credit card statement after a training session to see how it coded.
Bottom Line: Your Fitness Credit Card Action Plan
Here's your strategic roadmap based on your annual fitness spending:
For Basic Gym Members ($700-$1,200/Year)
Your optimal card: U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
- Verify your gym qualifies: Check cashplus.usbank.com/merchants before applying
- Action required: Activate "Gyms & Fitness Centers" category each quarter (set calendar reminder)
Verdict: If your gym qualifies, this is a no-brainer—free money with zero downside.
For Moderate Fitness Spenders ($1,200-$2,500/Year)
Your optimal strategy: 2-card combination
Card 1: U.S. Bank Cash+ for gym membership
Card 2: Citi Double Cash for equipment, apparel, classes
Is managing 2 cards worth it?
- Yes if: You use Kudos to automatically recommend which card (no mental overhead)
- No if: You value simplicity and are willing to leave money on the table
For Dedicated Fitness Enthusiasts ($2,500-$5,000/Year)
Your optimal strategy: Consider World of Hyatt if you travel
You should apply if:
- You stay at Hyatt hotels 2+ times/year
- You're working toward the welcome bonus
- You prefer travel rewards over cash back
Alternative for cash-back preference:
Stick with U.S. Bank Cash+ + Citi Double Cash combo without any annual fee.
For Elite Fitness Spenders ($5,000+/Year, Including Equinox)
Your situation: If you're spending $3,000-$4,000 annually on an Equinox membership specifically, the Amex Platinum's Equinox credit (through December 2025) helps offset the annual fee.
Keep the card if: You travel frequently and will use travel credits. Don't keep it solely for the Equinox credit—that's $695 spent to get $300 back.
The Universal Truth About Fitness Credit Cards
What card issuers don't tell you:
Most fitness enthusiasts earn more by optimizing their general spending cards than chasing fitness-specific rewards. Here's why:
Example: $2,000 annual fitness spending
- Best fitness card combo: $60-$80 in rewards
- But you also spend $35,000 on everything else annually
This is where Kudos becomes transformational: Instead of obsessing over which fitness card earns 2% versus 5%, Kudos helps you optimize ALL your spending—fitness and beyond—ensuring you use the best card for every single purchase.
The average Kudos user with 2-3 cards earns $441 MORE annually just from using the optimal card every time. For fitness specifically, that's an extra $40-$80/year. But across all spending categories, it's hundreds more.
Your best next step:
- Calculate your annual fitness spending using the worksheet at the top of this guide
- If under $1,500/year: Get Citi Double Cash
- If $1,500-$3,000/year: Get U.S. Bank Cash+ for gym (if it qualifies) + Citi Double Cash for everything else
- If over $3,000/year AND you travel: Consider World of Hyatt for combined fitness + travel value
- For ALL spending levels: Use Kudos to ensure you're maximizing rewards across fitness AND your other annual spending
Ready to stop leaving money on the table? Explore credit cards on Kudos to find your optimal setup for fitness spending and beyond—then use Kudos to automatically recommend the best card for every purchase.
Because optimizing your $2,000 in fitness spending to earn an extra $40/year is good. Optimizing your entire annual spending to earn extra is better.
Unlock your extra benefits when you become a Kudos member
Turn your online shopping into even more rewards
Join over 400,000 members simplifying their finances
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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