What Is the SilverSneakers Program? How to Get a Free Gym Membership Through Medicare
Key takeaways:
SilverSneakers is a fitness and wellness program designed for older adults enrolled in a qualifying Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan.
Through SilverSneakers, you can gain access to live online classes, on-demand videos, and drop-in fitness classes at locations around the country.
Check with your insurance plan to find out if you are eligible for a free SilverSneakers membership.
Table of contents
Getting the right amount of exercise every week can work wonders for your health.
The CDC recommends that adults ages 65 and older commit to at least 150 minutes of aerobic activity a week. But studies show that about 31 million Americans over 50 aren’t moving around enough, leading to a higher risk of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.
Fitness programs like SilverSneakers have helped many older adults get on track toward a healthy lifestyle. SilverSneakers is a fitness and wellness program designed for adults ages 65 and older who have Medicare. If you are eligible for Medicare because of a disability, you may also qualify. If you qualify for SilverSneakers membership, you can access a variety of benefits — from group fitness classes and on-demand videos to peer connection opportunities — at no additional cost.
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See what other benefits you qualify for—from cashback cards to cheaper insurance.
How does the SilverSneakers program work?
SilverSneakers started as a chair-based fitness program in 1992. SilverSneakers has grown from offering classes at 15 locations to partnering with more than 15,000 local community centers and national gyms.
Once enrolled, you can attend workout classes at any participating SilverSneakers location in the U.S. or tune in to instructor-led sessions online. You won’t have to stick to the same fitness routine, because there are different classes offered every day of the week.
How do you join SilverSneakers?
Not all Medicare enrollees qualify for the SilverSneakers program, though. It’s only available to those enrolled in a participating Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan. If your plan includes access to the SilverSneakers program, you won’t be charged a fee for membership.
To get started on your SilverSneakers journey, you can sign up online, use the GO app, or call member services.
Who is eligible for the SilverSneakers program?
As mentioned, you must be enrolled in a participating Medicare plan to qualify for SilverSneakers. If you are not sure if you qualify, you can provide your information and receive an instant eligibility check on the SilverSneakers website.
You will be required to enter the following information:
Name
Date of birth
ZIP code
Email address
Looking for ways to save on a gym membership? From free trials to student discounts, here are some ways to reduce the cost of your gym membership.
Gym memberships are generally not tax deductible as a medical expense. But you may be able to use a tax-advantaged health savings account (HSA) to pay for one.
Does your health insurance cover gym memberships? Here’s what you need to know about how different insurance plans cover gym memberships and requirements for coverage.
Make sure the information you provide is similar to what’s documented on your health insurance plan. You may not be in the system if:
You are not enrolled in a participating SilverSneakers health plan.
Your coverage through a new, participating plan has not started yet.
If you have any questions, you can call SilverSneakers at 1-866-584-7389 or send a message through the program’s contact form.
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How much does the SilverSneakers program cost?
SilverSneakers is available at no cost to individuals who have a qualifying Medicare plan. Membership is part of a qualifying plans’ insurance benefits. Once you're signed up, you won’t have to worry about losing your membership, as long as you maintain a qualifying plan and the plan provider continues to offer the benefit.
If you don’t qualify for SilverSneakers, you can still sample the program’s on-demand workout videos online. You can also join various Facebook groups that focus on the program. These groups are free to join and open to the public. By signing up, you’ll learn more about upcoming events and hear from others about their membership experience.
What do SilverSneakers benefits include?
SilverSneakers has expanded its offerings to meet the needs of members across the U.S. Some benefits include:
Access to a large network of gyms and fitness centers
Live workshops and online classes
Holistic health offerings
Social connection opportunities
Mental enrichment
Wellness content
Participating gyms offer a variety of drop-in fitness classes, including:
Depending on the facility you visit, you’ll have access to a variety of equipment and amenities such as:
Ellipticals
Swimming pools
Treadmills
Tennis courts
Weight machines
Yoga studios
If you need to stay home, you won’t need to forgo your workout. You can check out live or on-demand classes online. For help getting motivated and to connect with peers, you can download the GO app or visit a SilverSneakers Facebook group.
What does SilverSneakers not include?
Your SilverSneakers membership grants you access to online and drop-in classes, but it generally does not include benefits like:
Massage therapy
Smoothies
Personal training sessions
To get a better idea of what’s covered and what’s not, call your fitness center and ask about SilverSneakers member benefits.
What health insurance plans cover the SilverSneakers program?
You’ll need more than original Medicare (Part A and Part B) to get access to gym membership benefits like SilverSneakers. Original Medicare covers preventive care, but fitness programs and gym memberships aren’t included.
To qualify for SilverSneakers membership, you need to be enrolled in a Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan. These plans are sold by private insurance companies, and they provide extra benefits beyond the standard Medicare package.
Not all Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans provide SilverSneakers benefits, though. If you already have Medicare Advantage or Medigap, you can visit the SilverSneakers website to see if you have an eligible health plan.
You can also reach out to your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to find out more about free or low-cost gym memberships available to Medicare enrollees. You may be able to get access to other gym membership benefits like Silver&Fit or Renew Active.
The SilverSneakers program is one way to save on gym costs, but it shouldn’t be the main reason you pick a Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan. It can be difficult to switch plans, so make sure a plan aligns with your personal and financial needs before signing up. Also, just because an insurer offers access to SilverSneakers now, it doesn’t mean they won’t cancel it later.
What gyms and fitness centers participate in the SilverSneakers program?
To find a fitness center or gym that participates in SilverSneakers, you can use the program’s online tool to search for a location near you. Then, call the fitness club to confirm they offer SilverSneakers benefits and find out what you’ll have access to as a member.
Your membership provides access to over 15,000 fitness locations all over the country, so you shouldn’t have a hard time finding a participating facility. The program works with a variety of locations, including:
Dance studios
Fitness franchises
Gyms
Private fitness clubs
YMCAs
You may also attend classes at nontraditional fitness locations, such as a park or community center. This is a members-only benefit available through the SilverSneakers FLEX community.
Again, you’ll need to confirm if a location near you offers SilverSneakers benefits or participates in the FLEX community.
Is SilverSneakers right for me?
Silver Sneakers offers several physical, mental, and social benefits. One study evaluated the health and quality-of-life benefits SilverSneakers offers to participants. Researchers found that participants who visited a fitness center more often ranked themselves higher for physical and mental health. Another study found that SilverSneakers membership reduced isolation and loneliness among older adults. And nearly 9 out of 10 SilverSneakers members say that the program has improved their life, according to the program’s website.
There may also be financial benefits worth considering. One study found that participating in fitness programs may lead to lower healthcare costs. For many Medicare enrollees, healthcare costs tend to go up with age. Health conditions that are more common in older adults can be expensive to manage. For example, managing heart disease costs an estimated $2,000 a year, even with health insurance. The American Heart Association recommends getting regular physical activity as a way to reduce your risk.
At the end of the day, you have to think about your personal needs, health goals, and budget. You’ll need to enroll in a participating Medigap policy or Medicare Advantage plan to access SilverSneakers. So it’s a good idea to compare the costs and benefits of a policy that offers SilverSneakers against one that doesn’t to see what makes sense for your situation.
Lastly, you should contact your healthcare professional before starting any new fitness program — especially if you have any injuries or sensitive body areas. They can also provide guidance on the best classes to take and any activities you should try to avoid.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, some older adults can get a free or discounted gym membership even without Medicare. Certain employer-sponsored benefits and Medicaid plans offer free gym memberships, and local community centers sometimes have low-cost fitness options for older adults. It’s a good idea to check with your health insurance provider or nearby fitness centers to see what’s available.
If your Medicare plan doesn’t cover SilverSneakers membership, you won’t be able to join the program. The program is only available through participating Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans. You can find out if you are eligible through your plan using the SilverSneakers eligibility check tool. If not, you can check with your plan to see if they offer a similar fitness benefit.
Yes, SilverSneakers members can go to multiple participating gyms and fitness centers. The program includes unlimited access to over 15,000 locations nationwide. Before your first visit to a new gym, it’s a good idea to call to see if you need an appointment to set up your free membership.
The bottom line
SilverSneakers is a fitness program that offers group fitness classes, on-demand workout videos, and peer support to eligible Medicare members. You’ll need a qualifying Medicare Advantage plan or Medigap policy to join. You can check the SilverSneakers website or call the program’s offices to determine your eligibility. If SilverSneakers membership is included in your plan, you can access the benefits at no extra charge.
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References
American Heart Association. (n.d.). Life’s Essential 8.
Brady, S., et al. (2018). Reducing isolation and loneliness through membership in a fitness program for older adults: Implications for health. Journal of Applied Gerontology.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Older adult activity: An overview.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Active People, Healthy Nation at a glance.
Kell, K. P., et al. (2019). Increasing exercise frequency is associated with health and quality-of-life benefits for older adults. Quality of Life Research.
Medicare.gov. (n.d.). Gym memberships and fitness programs.
Medicare.gov. (n.d.). Preventive and screening services.
Nguyen, H. O., et al. (2007). Managed-Medicare health club benefit and reduced health care costs among older adults. Preventing Chronic Disease.
SilverSneakers. (n.d.). Live online classes.
SilverSneakers. (n.d.). Participating health plans.
SilverSneakers. (n.d.). SilverSneakers classes.
