Key takeaways:
SilverSneakers is a fitness and wellness program available through qualifying Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and group retiree health plans. Enrollees are mainly adults ages 65 and older.
Through the SilverSneakers program, you can gain access to live online, on-demand, and drop-in fitness classes at participating locations in the U.S.
Ask your insurer if you’re eligible for a SilverSneakers membership at no extra cost. If you’re not, ask whether your plan offers an alternative fitness benefit.
The SilverSneakers program is a fitness and wellness benefit. It gives eligible members access to resources to help them become and stay physically active.
Many Medicare Advantage and Medigap (original Medicare supplement) plans include the program at no cost. SilverSneakers mainly serves adults ages 65 and older. Younger adults who qualify for Medicare because of a disability may also be eligible. Original Medicare does not include this benefit.
Alternatives to SilverSneakers, typically at a cost, are available if your health plan doesn’t include the program.
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How does the SilverSneakers program work?
SilverSneakers partners with gyms, fitness centers, and community centers in the U.S. You can enroll in the program through your health plan. Then you can use your SilverSneakers membership at participating locations.
Your membership allows access to exercise equipment and fitness classes. Available classes and amenities vary by facility.
You can also join instructor-led sessions online live or on-demand with your SilverSneakers membership. You won’t have to stick to the same fitness routine: Different classes are offered every day of the week.
How do you join SilverSneakers?
Your health plan determines whether you qualify for SilverSneakers. To join the program, you must confirm your eligibility. You can do this by calling your plan’s member services number or using the SilverSneakers eligibility checker.
You will be required to enter the following information:
Name
Date of birth
ZIP code
Email address
Make sure the information you provide matches what’s on your health insurance plan. Create an online account, or download the SilverSneakers GO app to find your member ID.
Your information may not be found using the eligibility checker if:
You’re not enrolled in a participating SilverSneakers health plan.
Your coverage through a new, participating plan hasn’t started.
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If you have questions, call SilverSneakers at 1-866-584-7389 or send a message online.
Who’s eligible for the SilverSneakers program?
You must be enrolled in a participating Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan to qualify for SilverSneakers. But eligibility varies by plan and state, so contact your insurer to find out if this benefit applies to you. Some group retiree health plans also offer the program.
How much does the SilverSneakers program cost?
SilverSneakers is available at no cost to individuals enrolled in a qualifying Medicare plan. Once you sign up, your SilverSneakers membership remains active as long as you’re enrolled in a qualifying plan that offers the benefit.
You can’t buy a SilverSneakers membership directly if it’s not included in your plan. But you can create a SilverSneakers fan account to sample the program’s on-demand workout videos and other online wellness content. You can also join social media groups that focus on the program, which are free and open to the public. By signing up, you’ll learn about events and hear from others about their membership experience.
Healthcare plans that don’t offer SilverSneakers may have other fitness and wellness programs available to you. Check with your insurer for more information.
What do SilverSneakers benefits include?
SilverSneakers benefits vary by health plan and fitness location. You membership may include:
Access to a large network of gyms and fitness centers
Community fitness classes at parks and other spaces
Live workshops and online classes
On-demand workout videos
Wellness information and social activities
Participating gyms offer a variety of drop-in fitness classes, including:
Depending on the facility you visit, you’ll have access to equipment and amenities such as:
Elliptical machines
Swimming pools
Tennis courts
Weight machines
Yoga studios
Your fitness center representatives can explain the classes and amenities included in your membership.
What are the physical benefits of SilverSneakers?
With SilverSneakers, you can take part in a range of physical activity that may help you:
Continue performing your daily activities independently
Improve your balance and coordination
Improve your mobility and stamina
Lower your risk of falls
Lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, and Type 2 diabetes
Maintain muscle strength
Strengthen your bones
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week for people ages 65 and older. This is in addition to muscle-strengthening activities at least 2 days a week and movement that improves balance. SilverSneakers offers options that can help you reach these goals.
What does SilverSneakers not include?
Your SilverSneakers membership grants you access to online and drop-in classes. But it generally does not include services like:
Food and drinks, including smoothies
To get a better idea of what’s covered, ask the fitness center representatives about SilverSneakers benefits.
Which health insurance plans cover the SilverSneakers program?
Many Medicare Advantage or Medigap plans include SilverSneakers as a benefit. Some group retiree health plans also offer SilverSneakers to eligible members.
Original Medicare doesn’t cover SilverSneakers or gym membership benefits.
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. Changing your Medicare coverage can involve difficult decisions and trade-offs. So make sure a plan aligns with your health, personal, and financial needs before signing up. Also, benefits can change year to year. This means a plan that offers SilverSneakers now may not in the future. Check your coverage yearly before reenrolling or choosing a new plan.
Which gyms and fitness centers participate in the SilverSneakers program?
SilversSneakers partners with fitness locations throughout the U.S. These may include:
Dance studios
Fitness franchises
Gyms with national and local affiliations
YMCAs
If you prefer to exercise outside a gym, SilverSneakers FLEX offers fitness classes at parks, senior centers, churches, and other community spaces. These classes are established independently by FLEX instructors. So depending on your health plan, you may pay a small fee for them.
Is SilverSneakers right for me?
A SilverSneakers gym membership may be a good fit it’s available through your health plan and you can use its benefits near you. Participation in programs like SilverSneakers can help you stay physically active. Regular physical activity may lower your risk of certain health conditions.
One study of SilverSneakers members found that visiting fitness centers improves physical and mental health. Another study linked SilverSneakers membership with reduced social isolation and loneliness among older adults.
Talk to a healthcare professional before starting a fitness program, especially if you’re managing a health condition or injuries. They can help you choose activities that fit your medical needs and abilities.
What alternatives to SilverSneakers are available?
If your health plan doesn’t include SilverSneakers, it may offer another fitness benefit. Common SilverSneakers alternatives include:
Your options aren’t limited to programs offered by insurance companies. YMCAs, senior centers, and fitness studios may offer affordable classes for older adults.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, some older adults can get a free or discounted gym membership without Medicare. Certain employer-sponsored benefits, Medicaid plans, and other health plans offer gym memberships. Community centers may offer free or low-cost fitness options for older adults. It’s a good idea to check with your health insurance plan, a YMCA, and other 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 is available only through participating Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and group retiree health plans. You can find out if you are eligible using the SilverSneakers eligibility check tool. You can also check with your plan to find out what fitness benefits are offered.
Yes, SilverSneakers members can go to multiple participating gyms and fitness centers. The program includes unlimited access to locations nationwide. Before you visit a new gym, confirm what the membership includes and what you need to bring.
Yes, some older adults can get a free or discounted gym membership without Medicare. Certain employer-sponsored benefits, Medicaid plans, and other health plans offer gym memberships. Community centers may offer free or low-cost fitness options for older adults. It’s a good idea to check with your health insurance plan, a YMCA, and other 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 is available only through participating Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and group retiree health plans. You can find out if you are eligible using the SilverSneakers eligibility check tool. You can also check with your plan to find out what fitness benefits are offered.
Yes, SilverSneakers members can go to multiple participating gyms and fitness centers. The program includes unlimited access to locations nationwide. Before you visit a new gym, confirm what the membership includes and what you need to bring.
The bottom line
The SilverSneakers program gives eligible members access to gyms and group fitness classes. These may also be in person and on-demand workout sessions. To join, you must be enrolled in a qualifying Medicare Advantage, Medigap, or group retiree insurance plan. You can check the SilverSneakers website, or call the program to determine your eligibility. If SilverSneakers membership is included in your plan, you can access the benefits at no charge. If it’s not, ask whether your plan offers an alternative program. Or look for low-cost fitness options in your community.
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References
Brady, S., et al. (2020). 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. (2025). Older adult activity: An overview.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2026). Preventing chronic diseases: What you can do now.
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.
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SilverSneakers Go. (n.d.). Getting active just got easier with SilverSneakers GO, the first fitness app designed just for you. Tivity Health.
Tivity Health. (n.d.). About SilverSneakers.
