Do any gyms offer discounts with CalFresh EBT cards in 2025?

Planet Fitness used to do this back in 2023 but idk if they still do maybe call ur local one

The YMCA definitely offers financial assistance programs that CalFresh recipients can qualify for. You don't specifically use your EBT card, but having CalFresh can help you qualify for their sliding scale membership fees. You'll need to bring proof of your benefits (like your approval letter) and fill out their financial assistance application. Many YMCAs offer up to 50% off depending on your household size and income. Planet Fitness has a discount in some locations but it's not nationwide policy. Also check your local Parks & Recreation department - many cities offer discounted fitness programs for low-income residents.

Omg this is so great to know!!!! I've been wanting to join a gym too. My cousin said LA Fitness gave her a discount with her CalFresh card but when I called them they said no so I think its different in each area maybe?? Let us know what u find out please!

I don't think EBT gives direct discounts for gyms but there's a program called Active&Fit Direct that has $25/month gym memberships. Not directly related to CalFresh but it's affordable. Also some health insurance plans give gym discounts or reimbursements - worth checking if you have Medi-Cal or other insurance. BTW if you're struggling to get through to anyone at the CalFresh office about your benefits (I know I've had problems in the past), check out Claimyr.com - they help you skip the phone wait times to talk to a real person about your case. I used their service when I was having issues with my recertification and it saved me literal hours of waiting on hold. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8

They dont give discounts for EBT at most places cause its WELFARE money!!! Your supposed to spend that on FOOD not gym memberships!!! 🙄 This is why the system is broken people trying to use benefits for non-essential stuff. The taxpayers shouldn't be paying for your workout routine when some people cant even afford groceries!!!!

I work at a community center, and many public recreation centers do offer income-based discounts that CalFresh recipients automatically qualify for. Bring your benefit approval letter to your local city/county recreation department and ask about their fee reduction programs. You can often get 30-70% off fitness classes and gym access. Beyond that, check out: 1. SNAP-Ed programs often partner with community organizations for free fitness classes 2. Community colleges offer very affordable gym access if you sign up for a fitness class (sometimes as low as $20-30 for the semester) 3. Some public health departments have free fitness programs for low-income residents Lastly, the Museum for All program that gives EBT cardholders discounted museum access sometimes includes recreation centers in certain cities - worth looking into for your specific location.

have u tried youtube workout videos? that's what i do since can't afford gym membership. lots of free ones that are pretty good honestly. saved me $$$$ and don't need to go anywhere just need some space in your living room.

One more option - if you have kids, some gyms offer childcare and family discounts for low-income families. The Family Fitness Programs through county health departments sometimes provide vouchers too. When I worked at the county, we had a program specifically targeting health outcomes for CalFresh families that included fitness center access. Might be worth asking your caseworker if there are any health incentive programs linked to your benefits.

Update: I called my local YMCA and showed them my CalFresh approval letter. They gave me a 60% discount! Instead of $65/month, I'm paying $26. Just wanted to share in case anyone else is looking. They said any current proof of benefits works - SAR7, benefit letter, or even my online account showing active benefits. Thanks everyone for the helpful suggestions!

That's such great news! Thanks for sharing the update - it's really helpful to know that the YMCA discount worked out so well for you. $26/month is such a reasonable price for all the amenities they typically offer. I hope this helps other people in similar situations know that it's worth asking about these programs. Good luck with your fitness goals and managing your blood pressure naturally!

Wow, this is such a helpful thread! I'm in a similar situation - trying to get healthier on a tight budget. I'm definitely going to check out my local YMCA after seeing your success story. I also wanted to mention that some health insurance plans (including Medi-Cal) have wellness programs that reimburse gym memberships or offer discounts. It's worth calling your insurance to ask about fitness benefits. Also, if you're near a university, many have community wellness programs that offer discounted or free fitness classes to local residents. Thanks for sharing all these resources everyone!

This is such a valuable thread! I'm new to CalFresh and had no idea about these discount programs. I've been putting off joining a gym because of the cost, but now I'm motivated to check out my local YMCA and community center. It's really encouraging to see Asher's success story with the 60% discount - that makes it actually affordable! I also appreciate everyone sharing different options from community colleges to Parks & Rec departments. Sometimes you just need to know where to look. Thanks for creating this discussion and for everyone who contributed helpful resources!

Just wanted to add another option that worked for me - check if your city has any community wellness initiatives! My local public health department runs free fitness classes at parks and community centers specifically for low-income residents. You just need to show proof of benefits (CalFresh, Medi-Cal, etc.) and they're completely free. They have everything from yoga to walking groups to strength training. It's not a gym membership but it's a great way to stay active and meet people in similar situations. Also, many of these programs are designed with beginners in mind, so don't worry if you're just starting your fitness journey. The instructors are usually really supportive and understanding of different fitness levels and health conditions.

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm also on CalFresh and have been wanting to get back into fitness but was overwhelmed by gym costs. Seeing Asher's success with the 60% YMCA discount is so encouraging - I had no idea these programs existed. I'm going to call my local Y tomorrow and bring my benefit letter. It's also great to learn about all the other options like community college classes and public health department programs. Sometimes when money is tight it feels like healthy choices are out of reach, but this shows there are actually lots of resources available if you know where to look. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and tips - this community is awesome for supporting each other!

This has been such an inspiring thread to read! As someone who's been on CalFresh for about 6 months now, I had no idea these fitness discount programs existed. Reading about Asher's 60% YMCA discount and all the other creative solutions people have shared really gives me hope. I've been dealing with some health issues too and my doctor keeps telling me exercise would help, but I thought gym memberships were completely out of reach financially. Now I'm excited to explore these options - especially the community college fitness classes and the public health department programs that Sebastián mentioned. It's amazing how this community comes together to share practical resources instead of just complaining about problems. I'm definitely going to start with calling my local YMCA this week. Thanks to everyone who contributed helpful information - you're all making such a difference for people like me who are trying to improve their health while managing tight budgets!

This thread is absolutely amazing! I've been lurking in this community for a while but had to create an account just to thank everyone for sharing these incredible resources. I'm a single mom on CalFresh and have been feeling really defeated about not being able to afford a gym membership - especially since my kids keep asking why I'm always tired and stressed. Seeing Asher's success with the 60% YMCA discount literally brought tears to my eyes because it means this might actually be possible for me too. I love that so many people shared different options beyond just gyms - the community college idea is brilliant since I could potentially take a class AND get gym access. I'm also really interested in those free public health department fitness programs that Sebastián mentioned because childcare is always an issue for me. It's so refreshing to see a community where people actually help each other solve real problems instead of just venting. I'm going to start making calls this week and will definitely update everyone on what I find. Thank you all for giving me hope that taking care of my health doesn't have to be a luxury I can't afford!

This thread has been such a goldmine of information! I work at a local library and wanted to add that many public libraries also partner with community organizations to offer free or low-cost fitness programs. We host things like chair yoga, walking clubs, and basic fitness classes that are specifically designed for people on limited budgets. Libraries are always looking for ways to serve their communities beyond just books, so it's worth calling your local branch to ask what wellness programs they might offer. Also, many libraries have partnerships with organizations that provide free passes to local recreation centers and pools for cardholders. It's another resource that people sometimes overlook but can be really valuable for accessing fitness opportunities without the ongoing cost of a membership!

I'm so grateful this thread exists! As someone who just started receiving CalFresh benefits last month, I had no idea there were so many fitness discount programs available. Reading everyone's experiences has been incredibly eye-opening. I've been putting off addressing my health issues because I thought gym memberships were completely out of reach financially. The success stories with YMCA discounts, community college classes, library programs, and public health department offerings give me so much hope! I'm especially interested in the sliding scale programs since my income varies month to month. I'm going to start by calling my local YMCA and library this week to see what options they have. It's amazing how supportive this community is - instead of just complaining about costs, everyone is sharing actual solutions and real experiences. Thank you all for showing that staying healthy doesn't have to be a privilege only for those with extra money!

This thread is such a fantastic resource! I'm amazed by how many different options everyone has shared for affordable fitness. As someone who's been on CalFresh for about a year, I wish I had known about these programs sooner. I've been struggling to stay active due to budget constraints, but seeing Asher's success with the 60% YMCA discount and all the creative alternatives like library programs and community college classes is so inspiring. I'm particularly interested in the public health department fitness programs that are completely free - that sounds perfect for someone like me who's just getting back into exercise after a long break. It's incredible how this community comes together to share real, actionable solutions instead of just talking about problems. I'm definitely going to start reaching out to these organizations this week. Thank you everyone for proving that taking care of our health doesn't have to break the bank!

This has been such an incredible thread to follow! I'm a college student who just qualified for CalFresh and had no idea these fitness discount programs existed. Reading about everyone's success stories, especially Asher getting 60% off at the YMCA, has completely changed my perspective on what's possible. I've been gaining weight from stress eating and dining hall food, but thought I couldn't afford to do anything about it. The community college fitness class idea is perfect for me since I'm already on campus - I can't believe I never thought to check if other students could access those facilities too! I'm also really intrigued by the library programs Dylan mentioned. My campus library is always looking for ways to support student wellness, so maybe they have partnerships I don't know about. Thank you all for showing that staying healthy on a tight budget isn't just a pipe dream. This community is amazing at turning problems into solutions!

This thread has been absolutely incredible to read through! As someone who's been on CalFresh for about 8 months, I had completely given up on the idea of joining a gym due to costs. Seeing Asher's amazing success with the 60% YMCA discount is so inspiring - I honestly got emotional reading about it because it shows these programs really work! I love how everyone has contributed different solutions too - from community college classes to library partnerships to free public health programs. It makes me realize how many resources are actually out there if you just know where to look. I'm dealing with some back issues and my doctor keeps recommending swimming, but pool memberships seemed impossible on my budget. Now I'm excited to call my local YMCA tomorrow to ask about their aquatic programs and see if they're included in the financial assistance discount. Thank you all for creating such a supportive space where we can share real solutions instead of just feeling defeated by costs. This community truly helps people improve their lives!