If you pay for a gym membership, exercise classes, or fitness apps, the right credit card earns you 4–5% back on every charge. Most gym members earn 1% using a general card. Here are the three cards that actually reward your fitness spending, and which one fits your situation.
At a Glance: Best Cards for Gym Spending
| Card | Gym Earning Rate | Annual Fee | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wells Fargo Attune | 4% unlimited | $0 | Most gym members |
| U.S. Bank Cash+ | 5% (chosen category, $2,000/quarter cap) | $0 | High gym spenders who activate quarterly |
| Amex Platinum | 1x (but $300 Equinox credit) | $895 | Equinox and Equinox+ members only |
| World of Hyatt | 2x points | $95 | Hyatt loyalists who also gym regularly |
Wells Fargo Attune: Best for Most Gym Members (4% Unlimited, No Annual Fee)
The Wells Fargo Attune earns 4% cash back on gym memberships, fitness classes, spas, and salons with no annual fee and no spending cap. For anyone who pays $50–$150/month at the gym, this card returns $24–$72/year in cash back without any activation or category enrollment.
The Attune covers a wide net of fitness merchants: Planet Fitness, LA Fitness, 24 Hour Fitness, Anytime Fitness, CrossFit affiliates, SoulCycle, Barry’s, Orange Theory, and most boutique studios typically all code as gym or fitness services. Fitness apps (Peloton app, Strava subscriptions, Apple Fitness+) may also code as fitness depending on the merchant. A few cardholders report inconsistent MCC coding at some studios, so check your first statement to confirm you’re earning 4% before relying on it.
What the Attune does not earn bonus rates on: Equinox (this is the only major national gym chain coded as “recreation” or “amusement” by some issuers), general grocery spending, and gas. The 4% category is specifically fitness-coded merchants.
Rates verified per Wells Fargo, April 2026. Confirm current terms before applying.
Apply: Wells Fargo Attune
U.S. Bank Cash+: 5% If You’re Willing to Activate Each Quarter
The U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature earns 5% cash back on two categories of your choice each quarter, capped at $2,000 combined across both categories per quarter. Fitness centers is one of the selectable 5% categories, which at 5% and a $2,000 quarterly cap translates to $100 back per quarter ($400/year) at maximum utilization.
The catch: you must log in and select your two 5% categories each quarter, and selection must happen before the charges post. If you forget to activate, the category drops to 2%. For gym members who pay a consistent monthly membership, the quarterly cap is easy to hit, and the 5% rate beats the Attune’s 4% for steady gym spenders.
The Cash+ also earns 2% on one “everyday” category (grocery stores, restaurants, or gas stations) and 1% on everything else. It carries no annual fee.
Decision point: If your gym membership is $100–$200/month, the Cash+ 5% wins over the Attune 4% by about $12–$24/year, assuming you remember to activate. If managing quarterly activations is friction you don’t want, the Attune’s always-on 4% is the better practical pick.
Rates verified per U.S. Bank, April 2026. Confirm current terms and available categories before applying.
Apply: U.S. Bank Cash+
Amex Platinum: Only If You Use Equinox
The Amex Platinum earns only 1x Membership Rewards on gym spending, so it is not a rewards card for fitness in the traditional sense. The reason it belongs on this list is the $300 Equinox credit, which offsets an Equinox or Equinox+ membership entirely for cardholders who already have the Platinum for travel and lounge benefits.
The $300 Equinox credit covers Equinox club memberships (at any Equinox location) and the Equinox+ digital app subscription. It applies as a statement credit and renews each calendar year. Cardholders must enroll via their Amex account to activate this benefit.
At $895 annual fee, the Amex Platinum makes no sense as a gym card if you are buying the card only for this benefit. But if you are already a Platinum cardholder using the lounge access, airline credits, and hotel status, the $300 Equinox credit effectively reduces the net annual fee, making your Equinox membership cost nothing out of pocket.
Who this is NOT for: Anyone who goes to a gym other than Equinox. The credit is Equinox-exclusive. Planet Fitness, LA Fitness, Orange Theory, and any non-Equinox gym do not qualify.
Rates verified per American Express, April 2026 (last_verified: 2026-03-31 in our system).
World of Hyatt Card: 2x Points at Fitness Clubs
The World of Hyatt Credit Card earns 2x Hyatt points at fitness clubs and gym facilities permanently, not as a rotating or temporary category. At Hyatt’s current redemption values (roughly 1.7–2 cents per point for mid-tier properties), 2x works out to roughly 3.4–4% back in travel value for gym spend.
This card makes sense if you are already building Hyatt points for hotel stays and your gym spend is part of a broader rewards strategy. It carries a $95 annual fee. For someone not actively pursuing Hyatt hotel redemptions, the Wells Fargo Attune’s straightforward 4% cash back is simpler and requires no points valuation math.
What About Chase Sapphire Reserve and Amex Gold?
Neither the Chase Sapphire Reserve nor the Amex Gold earns bonus points at gyms. The CSR earns 3x on dining and travel, 1x on gyms. The Amex Gold earns 4x at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets, 1x on fitness. The CSR does include a $120 Peloton credit annually, which is worth noting for Peloton hardware or app subscribers, but that credit does not extend to gym memberships.
Bottom Line
For most gym members, the Wells Fargo Attune is the correct card: 4% back on fitness spending with no annual fee, no activation, and no cap. High spenders who are willing to activate quarterly can squeeze out 5% with the U.S. Bank Cash+. If you already hold the Amex Platinum and pay for Equinox, use the $300 credit rather than looking for a better earning rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does Planet Fitness qualify for the Wells Fargo Attune 4% category?
A: Planet Fitness locations typically code as MCC 7941 (sports clubs) or MCC 7997 (membership sports and recreation clubs), both of which qualify for the Attune’s 4% fitness category. Check your first statement to confirm coding, since individual franchise locations can vary.
Q: Does the Amex Platinum Equinox credit cover Equinox+?
A: Yes. The $300 annual Equinox credit covers both Equinox club memberships and the Equinox+ digital fitness app subscription. Enrollment is required through your Amex account.
Q: Can I use the Amex Platinum Equinox credit at any Equinox location?
A: The credit covers any Equinox club membership charged to the card. It does not cover third-party fitness studios that are not Equinox-branded, even if they are inside the same building.
Q: What is the best credit card for Peloton?
A: The Chase Sapphire Reserve includes a $120 Peloton credit annually covering the Peloton app or hardware accessories. For the Peloton app subscription specifically, the U.S. Bank Cash+ may also earn 5% if you select fitness as a category, though app subscriptions can code differently than gym memberships. Check your statement.
Q: Does the Wells Fargo Attune work at CrossFit gyms?
A: Most CrossFit affiliate gyms charge as fitness or sports clubs and earn the 4% Attune rate. Coding can vary by individual affiliate, so verify on your first statement before relying on the rate for larger purchases.