How you might be able to use your HSA/FSA to sweat and save at Orangetheory Fitness

Ana Rengel was tired.

Within a few short years, she had obtained a Doctor of Psychology degree while working and having two children. “I heard about Orangetheory through social media—mothers were talking about it a lot,” Ana remembers of wanting to join a gym throughout this development. But her schedule left her lacking the time or motivation.

Then, an annual physical revealed high cholesterol levels. “It took the doctor telling me 'you have to do it,’ to make the step,” she admits.

Today, Ana’s fully committed to Orangetheory’s science-backed, technology-tracked, coach-inspired group workouts. She attends classes more regularly than any gym she’s ever joined. And she’s felt significant improvements in her physical and mental health.

Dr. B is thrilled to partner with Orangetheory Fitness to help our patients live longer, more vibrant lives.

Read on to learn how Orangetheory can support your healing journey. Plus, how our partnership makes it more convenient than ever for qualifying patients to unlock HSA/FSA funds for Orangetheory workouts with a $15 online fitness consultation.

How do Orangetheory classes work?

Orangetheory Fitness workouts pack rowing, treadmill work and floor strength training in one energizing 60-minute class.

Most workouts split time equally between the three stations. From there, workouts change up the specifics. On the floor, you’ll use different combinations of equipment. On the treadmill, you’ll vary the pace and incline to target different strength and cardio goals. And while rowing, engaging a specific muscle group guarantees total-body conditioning over time.

Coaches check in with members at the start of every class, offering modifications to those dealing with an illness or injury—or ways to amp it up for those who want to pump it extra hard.

Science-backed, technology-tracked training.

Orangetheory is a 1-hour, full-body heart rate training workout that focuses on cardio and strength training to deliver a personalized experience in a group setting. In each workout, members wear heart rate monitors to let them, and their coach know when they should push harder or scale back and recover. This exercise style is called an exercise style called variable intensity interval training. The goal is to spend 12 to 20 minutes with your heart rate elevated in the “Orange Zone” to boost your metabolism, burn fat and improve fitness. No matter your age, fitness level or abilities, you can be successful and continually challenge yourself for more results.

“It's concrete,” Ana shares. “You're not just ‘doing the treadmill’; you're trying to make 12 points. It motivates me and makes me want to work as hard as I can when I go to the gym.”

Here are other ways Orangetheory stands out from the crowd.

The workouts offer structure.

Anyone with an overly packed schedule will appreciate how every Orangetheory Fitness class packs in a guided full-body workout in 60 minutes. “You're not alone in a gym. You don't have to arrive and be like, ‘Oh, what do I do now?’ Ana says. “At Orangetheory, you don't feel on your own. You feel that you're part of something.”

They’re available for all schedules—including those of working parents. Each location sets their class schedule by member demand. But at some locations, workouts start as early as 5 AM and run as late as 10 PM.

“It’s compatible with people who have full-time jobs,” Ana points out, remembering times where she’d wanted to attend a fitness class that was scheduled in the middle of her workday. With a class running approximately every 45 minutes, chances are the studio’s ready any time you are.

There’s zero intimidation factor.

Ana had never lifted weights, so she was a little anxious before her first class. She’d also been to gyms where she wasn’t given instructions on how to use the equipment and where trainers pushed her too far, too fast.

But at Orangetheory, she found the coaches to be particularly motivated, patient and present.

“I didn't feel alone in the experience, and I love that,” she remembers. “Now, I don't go to the gym dreading it... I'm happy to go, which has never happened to me before!”

Coaches meet you where you are.

Orangetheory coaches inspire members to push past their limits to gain more results, more confidence and more life. But they also encourage a safe and accessible experience.

“I remember the first time I went to Orangetheory Fitness, the trainer told me, ‘You don't have to do the perfect training session. Listen to your body and respect your boundaries as you progress.’ It was the first time I've ever heard that from a trainer,” Ana says. “I was amazed. I like that balance between pushing and encouraging you to respect your boundaries.”

That foundation continues to serve her well. As a sleep-deprived mother often recovering from a virus, she knows showing up to class and doing her best that day is what matters.

You get total staff support.

Those who perform better with extra accountability or community support can also expect an energy boost from Orangetheory support staff, who know your name when you arrive and welcome you warmly. They also know if it’s your first time or your birthday.

“When you don't have the sleep, motivation or time, you have to push yourself [to get to the gym]. So when you arrive and they're personal and caring and present, you're more inclined to want to go,” Ana emphasizes.

You get results.

Ana hasn’t had her cholesterol rechecked by her primary care physician. But in only three months, she’s noticed motivating improvements in her physical and mental health.

• Energy + strength: She has a lot more energy overall and noticed that she can easily carry her two-year-old for more extended periods.
• Mental health: Ana calls Orangetheory her “natural serotonin machine.” She takes a class before work and leaves in a good mood, ready to start her day.
• Weight loss: Weight loss wasn’t her primary intention. But she’s lost about 15 pounds, “a nice thing that's happening, too.”

Is Orangetheory the right fit for you?

Orangetheory Fitness founder Ellen Latham wants everyone, regardless of age, shape, size or ability, to get life-changing results from their fitness routine.

Her teams have delivered on this goal—Ana has observed an eclectic crowd at her studio, with members from their 20s into their 70s in bodies of all sizes and abilities. “There's space for everyone. You feel the energy where everyone is welcome. I love that,” she says. “You don't have to follow the standards of the usual gyms.”

For those looking to prevent or heal a medical condition through fitness, Orangetheory coaches are more than equipped to offer modifications so that each member exercises safely.

Who can pay for Orangetheory with their HSA/FSA?

Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) are tax-advantaged savings accounts used to pay for qualified medical expenses such as health insurance premiums, prescriptions and other health care costs.

(Get the details about how HSAs and FSAs work in this Dr. B article)

If you exercise to prevent or treat a medical condition, related exercise fees might become FSA/HSA-eligible expenses, too!

But you need to get those fees officially qualified in a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) from a licensed provider. With Dr. B, qualifying patients can get a Letter of Medical Necessity online through a seamless and convenient $15 health consultation. Once you have that letter, you can file it and related receipts with your HSA/FSA administrator to seek approval for having the receipts reimbursed from your pretax HSA/FSA funds

How to get a Letter of Medical Necessity online for Orangetheory

If you exercise to prevent or treat a medical condition, Dr. B may be able to help you get a Letter of Medical Necessity online.

Here’s how it works:

1. Go to Orangetheory’s partner page and start a $15 chat-like consultation. Dr. B is available 365 days a year in all 50 US states (and Washington, DC!).
2. Answer a few questions about your health history and current conditions.
3. A licensed provider in your state will review your consultation within three working hours. If you qualify, they’ll send a Letter of Medical Necessity straight to your inbox.
4. Pay for your Orangetheory membership or class pack and save your receipt!
5. Go to your HSA/FSA administrator’s website and find their claims or reimbursement section. Submit your Orangetheory receipt and Letter of Medical Necessity for HSA/FSA administrator approval. (Note that you can only submit receipts dated on or after the date on your letter.)
6. Wait for your administrator to approve and finalize your FSA/HSA reimbursement claim and transfer funds from your HSA/FSA account!

You can file the same letter with any new Orangetheory receipts for one year. For more details, head to this Dr. B article.

How much can you save on Orangetheory Fitness with HSA/FSA?

You might be able to get your entire Orangetheory membership or class package reimbursed from your HSA/FSA account if approved by your HSA/FSA administrator.

How much you’ll save overall is dependent upon various factors:

1. Your income tax bracket is determined by how much money you make—which determines the percentage of your income you pay into state and federal taxes.
2. The funds you put into your HSA/FSA do not count towards your taxable income, nor does any money you use from it to pay for medical expenses.
3. Because you don’t pay income tax on those funds, you pay less in taxes and increase your purchasing power.

Taking these factors into consideration, most people might be able to save 20-40% on Orangetheory workouts when they use their tax-free funds after approval from their HSA/FSA administrator!