Best Credit Cards for Gym Memberships and Fitness in 2026

Most gym memberships and fitness expenses fall into a credit card rewards dead zone. Your $150 monthly gym membership earns just 1% back on most cards — that's $18 per year on a $1,800 annual expense.

But specific cards treat fitness spending differently. Some categorize gyms under "health" for bonus rates. Others include fitness in broader lifestyle categories. The difference matters: 3% back instead of 1% saves you an extra $36 annually on that same $1,800 spend.

Cards that boost fitness rewards

Chase Sapphire Preferred

The Chase Sapphire Preferred doesn't directly bonus gym spending, but many fitness expenses code as "other travel" or fall under the 2x dining category for protein bars and smoothies purchased at gym cafes.

Key details:

• Annual fee: $95
• Gym spending: 1x points
• Related fitness: 2x points on dining (includes many gym cafes)
• Value: Points worth 1.25¢ each when transferred to partners

On $1,800 annual gym spending: $1,800 × 1% × 1.25¢ = $22.50 value.

American Express Gold Card

The Amex Gold Card's 4x points on dining extends to many fitness-related purchases. Smoothie bars, protein shake counters, and gym cafes often trigger the dining bonus.

• Annual fee: $250
• Gym membership: 1x points
• Fitness dining: 4x points
• Value: Points worth approximately 2¢ each for travel

If you spend $50 monthly on fitness-related food: $600 × 4% × 2¢ = $48 annual value from this category alone.

Citi Custom Cash Card

The Custom Cash automatically assigns 5% back to your highest spending category each month, up to $500 in purchases.

• Annual fee: $0
• Top category: 5% back (up to $500 monthly)
• Other purchases: 1% back

If fitness becomes your top category: $150 gym membership × 5% = $7.50 back monthly, or $90 annually.

Capital One SavorOne

While primarily a dining and entertainment card, the SavorOne's 3% back on entertainment sometimes includes fitness classes and boutique gym memberships.

• Annual fee: $0
• Entertainment: 3% back
• Other purchases: 1% back

Depends heavily on how your specific gym codes. Test with a small purchase first.

How fitness spending typically codes

Credit card networks assign merchant category codes (MCCs) to businesses. Fitness spending usually falls into these categories:

• MCC 5941: Sporting goods stores
• MCC 7941: Commercial sports/athletic fields/clubs
• MCC 7991: Tourist attractions/exhibits
• MCC 7997: Membership clubs (country clubs, fitness)

Traditional gyms (Planet Fitness, LA Fitness) typically use MCC 7997. Boutique studios vary more widely. Sporting goods purchases use MCC 5941.

Most cards treat these as general purchases (1x points). Only cards with specific "fitness" or broad bonus categories help.

Maximizing fitness rewards beyond gym fees

Equipment purchases

Sporting goods stores often qualify for elevated rates:

• Chase Freedom Flex: 5x back on sporting goods (when it's the quarterly category)
• Discover it: 5x back on sporting goods (when it's the quarterly category)
• Capital One SavorOne: May code as entertainment for some fitness retailers

A $500 home gym purchase during a 5x quarter earns $25 back instead of $5.

Fitness apps and subscriptions

Many fitness apps code as "software" or "digital goods":

• Peloton app subscriptions often earn standard 1x rates
• Apple Fitness+ purchases through Apple earn standard rates
• Some cards bonus "digital purchases" or "software subscriptions"

Athletic wear and supplements

Sporting goods stores typically offer better rewards than general merchants:

• Dick's Sporting Goods, Sports Authority purchases may trigger 5x categories
• Nike.com, Adidas.com usually code as general online retail
• Supplement stores vary by merchant category coding

How cashew handles this

cashew automatically routes your fitness spending to the card earning the highest rate. The app tracks which of your cards currently offers the best return for gym memberships, equipment purchases, and related expenses.

When Chase Freedom Flex runs its sporting goods quarter, cashew switches your Dick's Sporting Goods purchases to that card for 5x back. When the quarter ends, it routes back to your 2% everything card.

For recurring gym memberships, cashew identifies which card provides the best long-term rate and suggests updating your payment method.

cashew is not a financial advisor. Card recommendations depend on your specific spending patterns and financial situation.

Quick reference: fitness spending rewards

Card	Gym memberships	Equipment/sporting goods	Annual fee
Citi Custom Cash	5% (if top category)	1%	$0
Chase Freedom Flex	1%	5% (quarterly bonus)	$0
Capital One SavorOne	3% (if codes as entertainment)	1%	$0
American Express Gold	1%	1%	$250
Chase Sapphire Preferred	1%	1%	$95

The bottom line

Most gym memberships earn standard 1% rewards regardless of your card. The Custom Cash offers the best potential return if fitness becomes your highest monthly spending category. For equipment purchases, time your spending with quarterly 5x categories on the Freedom Flex or Discover it.

The real wins come from related spending: gym cafe purchases with dining bonus cards, and equipment purchases during elevated category periods. Track how your specific gym codes, then optimize accordingly.