Maximize Your Health Dollars: How to Use FSA/HSA Funds for At-Home Fitness Equipment

Healthcare costs continue to rise, and for many people, the focus has shifted from treating illness to preventing it. One of the smartest ways to take control of your health and finances is by using a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA). These accounts let you set aside pre-tax money for qualified health expenses, reducing your taxable income and giving you more purchasing power.

What many people don’t realize is that these accounts can be used for more than prescriptions or doctors’ visits. In fact, at-home fitness equipment may qualify, making it easier than ever to invest in your health while saving money. With Core Home Fitness gear, you can build a complete home gym using FSA/HSA funds and maximize both your health and your dollars.

Below, we’re going to break down how FSAs and HSAs work, why fitness equipment qualifies, and how you can use these accounts to build a healthier lifestyle with Core Home Fitness products.

Understanding FSA and HSA Accounts

The terminology around FSAs and HSAs can be complex. Here’s what you need to know about these types of accounts and how they can help you save money on health expenses. 

What Is an FSA?

A Flexible Spending Account, or FSA, is an employer-sponsored benefit that allows you to contribute pre-tax dollars toward eligible healthcare expenses. These accounts are funded through payroll deductions, meaning you save on taxes with every paycheck while setting aside money for medical costs throughout the year. The funds can be used for a wide range of qualified expenses, from prescription medications to medical devices and certain fitness equipment when medically necessary.

However, FSAs are governed by the “use it or lose it” rule. This means any unspent funds at the end of the plan year may be forfeited, unless your employer offers a short grace period or allows a small amount to roll over. Because of this, planning larger purchases like home fitness equipment is essential to avoid losing your hard-earned health dollars.

What Is an HSA?

A Health Savings Account, or HSA, is available to individuals enrolled in a high-deductible health plan. Unlike FSAs, HSAs are owned by the individual rather than the employer, making them more flexible and portable. Contributions to your HSA are made pre-tax, grow tax-free through investments, and can be withdrawn tax-free for qualified health expenses.

Another major advantage of an HSA is that your balance rolls over year after year, allowing the account to grow over time. This makes an HSA a powerful long-term tool for both immediate health spending and future medical needs, including preventative investments like home fitness equipment.

Tax Advantages of FSAs and HSAs

Both FSAs and HSAs offer substantial tax savings. Contributions are deducted from your paycheck before taxes are calculated, reducing your taxable income and saving you money at tax time. When you use those funds to pay for qualified health expenses, you effectively get a discount on your purchase.

For example, if you’re in a 30% tax bracket, every $100 spent through your FSA or HSA could save you around $30 compared to paying with after-tax income. Using these accounts to buy Core Home Fitness equipment can make your home gym investment even more affordable.

Key Differences Between FSAs and HSAs

While FSAs and HSAs share similar benefits, they differ in structure and flexibility. FSAs are owned by your employer, have annual expiration rules, and are ideal for short-term health planning. HSAs, on the other hand, belong to you, have no expiration date, and allow long-term growth through interest or investments.

Contribution limits also vary. HSAs generally allow higher annual contributions, offering greater savings potential. Both accounts, however, play an important role in proactive health planning, allowing you to use pre-tax dollars to support wellness-focused purchases such as Core Home Fitness equipment.

Why Fitness Equipment Qualifies as a Medical Expense

The IRS recognizes that fitness and physical activity can serve as legitimate medical care when prescribed by a licensed healthcare provider. Under current guidelines, certain fitness equipment may qualify as a reimbursable expense if it’s used to treat or prevent a specific medical condition and supported by a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN).

An LMN is a document written by your doctor that explains why a particular product, such as adjustable dumbbells, a bench, or a resistance system, is medically necessary. This establishes the connection between exercise and your health condition, making your purchase eligible for FSA or HSA reimbursement. Fitness is increasingly being viewed as a core component of preventative healthcare, and equipment like Core Home Fitness products can play a central role in that plan.

Common Health Conditions Fitness Equipment Can Address

Medical professionals frequently recommend exercise as a treatment or preventive measure for a range of conditions. For example, strength and cardio training can help with:

• Weight management and obesity prevention: Regular exercise supports healthy metabolism and long-term weight control.
• Heart health and cardiovascular disease prevention: Aerobic and resistance training improve heart function and circulation.
• Diabetes management and prevention: Consistent physical activity helps regulate blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity.
• Joint health, flexibility, and mobility: Low-impact training builds strength and stability, reducing pain and stiffness.

For individuals managing these conditions, investing in high-quality, easy-to-use home fitness equipment is more than just convenient. It can be part of a medically supported wellness plan eligible for FSA/HSA reimbursement.

Recent Shifts Toward Wellness Spending

Over the past decade, both employers and benefits administrators have recognized that preventative health spending reduces long-term medical costs. This shift has led to the modernization of FSA and HSA programs, expanding eligible categories to include more wellness-oriented products and services.

Today, many employers actively encourage employees to use these accounts for health-promoting purchases, such as at-home exercise equipment. Core Home Fitness aligns perfectly with this movement, offering space-efficient, durable equipment that makes preventative care practical, affordable, and sustainable.

How to Use Your FSA or HSA for Core Home Fitness Equipment

While FSAs and HSAs have rules regarding how they can be spent, they can be used for a wide variety of health-related costs. Here’s how you can use your account 

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Before making a purchase, review your plan’s rules or contact your FSA/HSA administrator to confirm which fitness-related items qualify. In most cases, you’ll need a Letter of Medical Necessity from a healthcare provider stating that exercise is prescribed to treat or prevent a condition.

Core Home Fitness has partnered with Truemed to make this process simple. When you purchase fitness equipment through Core Home Fitness and select the Truemed option for payment, you will take a brief, two-minute survey that is sent to a Truemed medical practitioner partner to determine if you are eligible.

Step 2: Get Documentation if Needed

If your plan requires an LMN, you normally need to ask your doctor to provide one. The letter should include your medical diagnosis, the reason exercise is recommended, and how specific fitness equipment supports your treatment or prevention goals.

When purchasing Core Home Fitness equipment with your HSA/FSA, Truemed’s medical practitioner partner will review your survey answers and produce an LMN on your behalf. For example, they may note that at-home resistance training is necessary to manage diabetes, maintain cardiovascular health, or improve joint mobility. Keeping this documentation on file for three years is key to ensuring compliance and avoiding claim denials.

Step 3: Make Your Purchase

Once you have the necessary documentation, you can confidently purchase your Core Home Fitness equipment. There are two paths:

1. If you purchased your equipment through the Core website using an HSA/FSA and Truemed approves your LMN, you’re done! Just be sure to save your purchase confirmation, receipt, and LMN, as these will be required for reimbursement or tax reporting.
2. If you made your purchase with a credit card and you want reimbursement, you’ll need to submit your claim to the HSA/FSA administrator for reimbursement.

Step 4: Submit for Reimbursement (FSA) or Pay Directly (HSA)

Simply selecting the Truemed Pay with HSA/FSA option means you don’t have to worry about filing a reimbursement request. However, if you choose to pay with a credit card and get reimbursement later, here’s what to do:

If you’re using an FSA, submit a reimbursement claim through your provider’s online portal or mobile app. Attach your itemized receipt and LMN, if required. Processing times vary, but most reimbursements arrive within one to two weeks.

If you have an HSA, you can often pay directly with your HSA debit card at checkout, avoiding the reimbursement step altogether. Always keep your documentation on hand in case the IRS requests verification.

To avoid delays or denials, double-check that your submission includes all required information, and verify that your purchase falls under eligible medical expenses. With careful documentation, you can seamlessly use your FSA or HSA funds to invest in Core Home Fitness equipment and take an active step toward better health.

Core Home Fitness Products Eligible for FSA/HSA Funds

Core Home Fitness products, such as adjustable dumbbells, benches, and the Fightmaster system, are designed to provide comprehensive full-body workouts that align with most medically recommended exercise regimens. Here are some of the most popular Core home exercise equipment you can purchase using Truemed and your HSA/FSA:

Strength Training Essentials

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Core’s adjustable dumbbells are compact, versatile, and ideal for every fitness level. Adjustable benches add variety with multiple angles for pressing, rowing, and core work.

Functional Training Tools

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The Fightmaster provides boxing-inspired training for cardio and strength, while resistance bands and accessories offer portable, full-body workouts.

Complete Home Gym Bundles

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Core offers packages such as the Strength Gym, Cardio Gym, Glute Gym, and Core Gym bundles, each designed to give you everything you need for targeted training.

Why Choose Core Home Fitness?

Core equipment is built for durability, compact design, and long-term performance, making it a smarter investment than cheap alternatives. For those looking to maximize their FSA or HSA dollars, Core provides lasting value that supports preventative health.

Maximizing Your Savings and Health Outcomes

Consider this: if you’re in a 30 percent tax bracket, a $600 home gym setup could cost you only $420 using pre-tax dollars from your FSA or HSA. That’s a meaningful savings while investing in long-term wellness.

Long-Term Benefits

Regular exercise reduces the risk of chronic conditions that often result in high healthcare costs. A single investment in Core equipment may save thousands over time by reducing medical expenses.

Making the Most of FSAs and HSAs

If you have an FSA, purchasing equipment before the plan year ends ensures your funds don’t go to waste. For HSA users, investing in a durable piece of Core equipment provides value now and in the future.

Common Questions and Misconceptions

Can I buy any fitness product with FSA/HSA funds?

Not all fitness products qualify. You’ll typically need a Letter of Medical Necessity for larger equipment purchases.

Do I always need a doctor’s note?

In many cases, yes. However, through Core Home Fitness, you can get your doctor’s note sorted out without an appointment. The items in your Truemed Letter of Medical Necessity are now qualified medical expenses in the same way as a visit to the doctor’s office or a pharmaceutical product is.

There are thousands of studies showing that food and exercise are often the best medicine to prevent and reverse disease. Exercise qualifies as a qualified medical expense with an LMN. Food, supplements, and other wellness purchases qualify as medical expenses if they treat or prevent an illness, and a doctor substantiates the need. Your Truemed LMN meets all IRS requirements, making your wellness spend fully reimbursable.

Can I use both an FSA and HSA in the same year?

It depends on your benefits plan. Some people have access to both, but rules vary. Always check with your administrator.

Why Core Home Fitness Is the Best Partner

Core Home Fitness designs equipment for real people, from beginners to advanced athletes. Every product is space-efficient, durable, and built to support your fitness journey. Combined with the Truemed partnership, which streamlines the process of using FSA/HSA funds, Core makes it simple to invest in your health without financial stress.

FSAs and HSAs are powerful tools for saving money and prioritizing preventative health. By using these accounts to purchase Core Home Fitness equipment, you can build a home gym that saves money, improves health outcomes, and helps you achieve lasting wellness.

Now is the time to maximize your health dollars. Shop Core Home Fitness today and take the first step toward a stronger, healthier future.