---
title: Wellbeing & Fitness Benefits for UK Teams | SideUp
description: Give your team a flexible wellbeing budget for gyms, therapy, classes and recovery, all on one SideUp card. Built for UK employers.
---
[Skip to main content](https://sideup.com/en-gb/wellbeing-fitness#main-content)
[](https://sideup.com/?hsLang=en-gb)
- Solutions
Tax-free Benefits
HMRC-compliant, tax free benefits for core needs.
[Homeworking Allowance & Equipment Home working costs and kit](https://sideup.com/en-gb/work-from-home?hsLang=en-gb) [Work-Related Training & Tuition Learning linked to the job](https://sideup.com/en-gb/work-related-training-tuition?hsLang=en-gb) [Nursery Partnership Workplace nursery places](https://sideup.com/en-gb/child-care?hsLang=en-gb) [Bike Share Pass Cycling for the commute](https://sideup.com/en-gb/commuting?hsLang=en-gb) [DSE Eyecare Eye tests and screen glasses](https://sideup.com/en-gb/dse-eyecare?hsLang=en-gb) [Canteen Credit Meals at work](https://sideup.com/en-gb/food?hsLang=en-gb) [Retirement Guidance Pension advice for your team](https://sideup.com/en-gb/financial-education?hsLang=en-gb) [Payroll Giving Give to charity before tax](https://sideup.com/en-gb/charitable-giving?hsLang=en-gb)
Lifestyle Benefits
Flexible budgets for everyday life. Give your team the power of choice.
[Wellness & Fitness Gym, mental health & wellbeing](https://sideup.com/en-gb/wellbeing-fitness) [Pet Care Vets, food and pet insurance](https://sideup.com/en-gb/pet-care?hsLang=en-gb) [Food & Meal Meals, groceries & nutrition](https://sideup.com/en-gb/food?hsLang=en-gb) [Personal Learning & Growth Courses for personal growth](https://sideup.com/en-gb/work-related-training-tuition?hsLang=en-gb) [Commuting Allowance Travel to and from work](https://sideup.com/en-gb/commuting?hsLang=en-gb) [Leisure & Connection Entertainment, coffee and travel](https://sideup.com/en-gb/work-from-home?hsLang=en-gb) [Charitable Giving Support the causes you love](https://sideup.com/en-gb/charitable-giving?hsLang=en-gb)
- Platform
For Employers
Set budgets, track spend and stay compliant, all from one platform.
[Manage Benefits Budgets, eNPS and recognition](https://sideup.com/en-gb/manage-your-platform?hsLang=en-gb) [Integrations Connect with your favourite tools](https://sideup.com/integrations?hsLang=en-gb) [Trust Centre Security, privacy and compliance](https://hi.sideup.com/en-gb/trust)
For Employees
One card and one app for every benefit, so spending is simple.
[How to spend benefits Discover how to use your SideUp card](https://hi.sideup.com/en-gb/how-to-spend-your-benefits)
- [Stayconomics](https://sideup.com/stayconomics?hsLang=en-gb)
Learn with Stayconomics
Explore the ideas, research, and strategies behind workplaces people choose to stay in.
[Blog Data-backed, no-fluff articles on retention, benefits, and the future of work.](https://hi.sideup.com/stayconomics/tag/blog) [Podcast On Youtube and Spotify with the leaders who are actually figuring it out.](https://hi.sideup.com/stayconomics/podcast) [Newsletter The best of what's happening in HR and employee retention, curated, concise, and worth your Monday morning.](https://hi.sideup.com/stayconomics/tag/newsletter) [Events & Webinars Real experts, real questions, real takeaways you can use before the week is over.](https://hi.sideup.com/stayconomics/events-webinars) [Explore by Topics Retention, benefits, HR tech, financial wellness, and more, organized by what you need.](https://hi.sideup.com/stayconomics/topics-1) Guides & Tools Iterative Tools and Guides
- Company
Know more about us
Who we are, who we work with and how to reach us.
[Partnerships Grow with us, as a partner, reseller or local business.](https://sideup.com/en-gb/partnership?hsLang=en-gb) About us The story and the people behind SideUp. Brandbook Our logo, colours and voice, ready to use. [Contact us Questions, ideas or a demo? Say hello.](https://sideup.com/en-gb/contact-us?hsLang=en-gb)
- Log in
- [Business](https://admin.sideup.com)
- [Employee](https://app.sideup.com)
[Book a demo](https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/lana-leles/demo)
- Solutions
- Tax-free Benefits
- [Homeworking Allowance & Equipment](https://sideup.com/en-gb/work-from-home?hsLang=en-gb)
- [Work-Related Training & Tuition](https://sideup.com/en-gb/work-related-training-tuition?hsLang=en-gb)
- [Nursery Partnership](https://sideup.com/en-gb/child-care?hsLang=en-gb)
- [Bike Share Pass](https://sideup.com/en-gb/commuting?hsLang=en-gb)
- [DSE Eyecare](https://sideup.com/en-gb/dse-eyecare?hsLang=en-gb)
- [Canteen Credit](https://sideup.com/en-gb/food?hsLang=en-gb)
- [Retirement Guidance](https://sideup.com/en-gb/financial-education?hsLang=en-gb)
- [Payroll Giving](https://sideup.com/en-gb/charitable-giving?hsLang=en-gb)
- Lifestyle Benefits
- [Wellness & Fitness](https://sideup.com/en-gb/wellbeing-fitness)
- [Pet Care](https://sideup.com/en-gb/pet-care?hsLang=en-gb)
- [Food & Meal](https://sideup.com/en-gb/food?hsLang=en-gb)
- [Personal Learning & Growth](https://sideup.com/en-gb/work-related-training-tuition?hsLang=en-gb)
- [Commuting Allowance](https://sideup.com/en-gb/commuting?hsLang=en-gb)
- [Leisure & Connection](https://sideup.com/en-gb/work-from-home?hsLang=en-gb)
- [Charitable Giving](https://sideup.com/en-gb/charitable-giving?hsLang=en-gb)
- Platform
- For Employers
- [Manage Benefits](https://sideup.com/en-gb/manage-your-platform?hsLang=en-gb)
- [Integrations](https://sideup.com/integrations?hsLang=en-gb)
- [Trust Centre](https://hi.sideup.com/en-gb/trust)
- For Employees
- [How to spend benefits](https://hi.sideup.com/en-gb/how-to-spend-your-benefits)
- [Stayconomics](https://sideup.com/stayconomics?hsLang=en-gb)
- Learn with Stayconomics
- [Blog](https://hi.sideup.com/stayconomics/tag/blog)
- [Podcast](https://hi.sideup.com/stayconomics/podcast)
- [Newsletter](https://hi.sideup.com/stayconomics/tag/newsletter)
- [Events & Webinars](https://hi.sideup.com/stayconomics/events-webinars)
- [Explore by Topics](https://hi.sideup.com/stayconomics/topics-1)
- Guides & Tools
- Company
- Know more about us
- [Partnerships](https://sideup.com/en-gb/partnership?hsLang=en-gb)
- About us
- Brandbook
- [Contact us](https://sideup.com/en-gb/contact-us?hsLang=en-gb)
- Log in
- [Business](https://admin.sideup.com)
- [Employee](https://app.sideup.com)
- [Book a demo](https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/lana-leles/demo)
Wellbeing & Fitness
# Healthy teams don't happen by accident.
Go beyond generic perks. Give your team a flexible wellbeing budget for the gym, therapy, classes and recovery, so they can look after body and mind, their way.
[Talk to a benefits expert](https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/lana-leles/demo)
.png?width=936&height=936&name=FSA%20936x936%20(18).png)
HOW CAN I USE THIS BENEFIT?
## Alex
Sales Development Rep - Manchester, UK
Training for a marathon while working full-time felt impossible for Alex. With the SideUp card, she could cover her race entry and sessions with a running coach, giving her the motivation to cross the finish line.
.png?width=936&height=936&name=FSA%20936x936%20(19).png)
HOW CAN I USE THIS BENEFIT?
## Priya
HR Manager - Bristol, UK
Priya's role comes with real pressure. Through SideUp, she could use her budget for a meditation app and private therapy sessions, giving her the support to manage stress before it turns into burnout.
.png?width=936&height=936&name=FSA%20936x936%20(20).png)
HOW CAN I USE THIS BENEFIT?
## David
Software Engineer - Leeds, UK
Long hours at his desk were taking a toll on David's back. With his SideUp card, he could book a monthly sports massage. Not a luxury, but essential maintenance for his wellbeing.
## Support the whole person, not just the employee
When your team can choose the care they truly need, they don't just feel better. They bring their best, most energised selves to work. That's the power of flexible wellbeing.
### Fitness & Movement
Gyms, fitness classes, personal training
### Mental Wellbeing
Therapy, counselling apps, meditation
### Recovery & Care
Massage, physio, sports therapy
### Sleep & Nutrition
Sleep apps, nutrition coaching
### Custom Wellbeing Plan
Mix and match what your team needs.
Build Bundle
## Three ways to support wellbeing, and how HMRC sees each one
Most wellbeing support is taxable. A few things aren't. Here's the difference in plain English, and where SideUp fits in.
Their choice
### Wellbeing budget
Lifestyle benefit
Taxable
What it covers
Any gym, class, app, therapist or physio your team chooses.
How it works
You set a monthly budget. Employees pay eligible providers with their SideUp card.
SideUp's role
Runs the whole benefit for you.
On your own site
### Workplace facilities
Section 261 ITEPA 2003
Tax-free, if the conditions are met
What it covers
An in-house gym or sports facilities you provide yourself.
The conditions
Available to all your employees, and not open to the public. Memberships at public gyms don't qualify.
SideUp's role
Sits alongside your facilities, for everything they don't cover.
Once a year
### Health checks
Section 320B ITEPA 2003
Tax-free, one of each per year
What it covers
One health screening and one medical check-up per employee each tax year.
Worth knowing
Anything beyond that, or any medical treatment, is a taxable benefit.
SideUp's role
Talk to us about adding health checks to your programme.
**Also worth knowing.** Welfare counselling that falls within HMRC's accepted range isn't a taxable benefit either.
A summary, not tax advice. Check your arrangement with a tax adviser.
## See How SideUp Works in 4 Easy Steps
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01\.
### Choose your benefits
Decide which benefits you want to offer and who they apply to.
02\.
### Implement your policy
Set your budget, eligibility rules, and spending limits. Our platform handles the compliance and guardrails automatically.
03\.
### Connect to payroll
Seamlessly integrate with your existing payroll provider. We handle the tax implications and reporting for you.
04\.
### Join the SideUp platform
Invite your team. They get their cards, you get the credit for being an amazing employer. Everyone wins.
## Set it up once. Your team feels it every week.
Most spending happens on the card, so there's almost nothing to chase. Here's how it works, from day one.
1. 1
### Add your employees
Sync your team from your HR system, or add them manually. Either way, it takes minutes.
2. 2
### Set up your programme
Choose your benefits, decide when they're paid out, and pick how your company funds them.
3. 3
### We invite your team
SideUp emails each employee an invitation to the app. Once they've completed onboarding, their card is issued.
4. 4
### Manage it month by month
Track spend and take-up, and keep your compliance information in one place, ready whenever you need it.
Wellbeing
Alex Morgan•••• 7731
Gym membership
Monthly
£34.99
Yoga class pack
Five sessions
£60.00
Wellbeing budget this month
£94.99 of £100
Illustrative example
REAL IMPACT, MEASURED IN RESULTS
## The numbers don't lie
Based on SideUp’s internal research comparing clients **with** vs. **without** flexible stipends. When you give employees choice, the numbers speak for themselves.
+35
eNPS Points
Clients using SideUp consistently score +35 points higher than those relying on standard perks.
Is your culture healthy or at risk?
Get your free Diagnostic →
\+ 23%
Profit
Employees who are happy with their benefits are more productive and can increase a company’s revenue by up to 23%.
10x
ROI
For every $1 spent on SideUp stipends, companies save $10 in retention costs and productivity gains.
ROI Calculator
## Calculate your True ROI
See exactly how much time and money you'll save by switching from manual reimbursements to SideUp's automated platform.
Number of Employees
50
10 1,000+
Admin Hours / Month
10 hrs
1 hr 100 hrs
#### Did you know?
Manual expense reports cost companies an average of **$58 per report** to process. SideUp automates this completely.
Admin Savings
$5,400
saved annually in admin costs
Time Reclaimed
96 Hours
saved annually for strategic work
### Unlock Your Full ROI Report
Reveal your potential **Turnover Savings** & **Total Business Impact**.
[Reveal My Savings](https://sideup.com?hsLang=en-gb)
The SideUp Marketplace
## Every pound goes further. And stays local.
Our marketplace brings your team closer to the independent cafés, gyms, shops and services in their own neighbourhood. When they spend their SideUp budget there, they unlock exclusive discounts and freebies, so the same benefit buys more.
✓
Exclusive discounts for SideUp members
✓
Freebies and extras from local partners
✓
Your benefits budget, backing local businesses
[List your business](https://sideup.com/en-gb/marketplace?type=list&hsLang=en-gb)[Nominate a local favourite](https://sideup.com/en-gb/marketplace?type=nominate&hsLang=en-gb)
A Saturday on the high street
The Corner Café
£8.95
Marketplace discount
−£1.35
Northside Yoga Studio
£12.00
Free mat hire
Freebie
Saved this month
£9.60
Illustrative example
FAQ
## Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about wellbeing and fitness benefits in the UK.
What counts as a wellbeing and fitness benefit?
Gym memberships, fitness classes, personal training, therapy and mental health apps, meditation subscriptions, massage and physio.
Is a wellbeing benefit taxable?
Yes. Wellbeing & Fitness is a Lifestyle benefit, so it's treated as a taxable benefit, in the same way as an employer paying for a gym membership directly. In return, your team can choose the support that actually works for them.
Are there cases where wellbeing support isn't taxable?
Yes, a few. Sports and recreational facilities you provide yourself are exempt when they're available to all your employees and not open to the public (section 261 ITEPA 2003). One health screening and one medical check-up per employee per year are also exempt (section 320B), as is welfare counselling that falls within HMRC's accepted range.
Can employees choose how to spend it?
Yes. Employees choose from eligible categories and providers, rather than being limited to a single gym or app picked by the company.
How much should we offer?
You decide. Set a monthly budget per employee, and choose who it applies to.
Does it help with retention?
Yes. Employees who feel supported in their wellbeing are more engaged and less likely to leave, especially when it sits alongside other flexible benefits.
How does SideUp handle it?
Employees pay eligible providers with their SideUp card, within the budgets and categories you set. Every payment is tracked automatically.
## Build a healthier team
### Ready to modernise your benefits?
Join hundreds of forward-thinking companies using SideUp to attract and retain top talent. Book a demo to see Wellbeing & Fitness in action.
[](https://sideup.com?hsLang=en-gb)
Pay your team more. Spend less.
### Tax Free Benefits
- [Homeworking Allowance & Equipment](https://sideup.com/en-gb/work-from-home?hsLang=en-gb)
- [DSE Eyecare](https://sideup.com/en-gb/dse-eyecare?hsLang=en-gb)
- [Work-Related Training & Tuition](https://sideup.com/en-gb/work-related-training-tuition?hsLang=en-gb)
- [Canteen Credit](https://sideup.com/en-gb/food?hsLang=en-gb)
- [Canteen Credit](https://sideup.com/food?hsLang=en-gb)
- [Bike Share Pass](https://sideup.com/en-gb/commuting?hsLang=en-gb)
- [Retirement Guidance](https://sideup.com/en-gb/financial-education?hsLang=en-gb)
- [Nursery Partnership](https://sideup.com/en-gb/child-care?hsLang=en-gb)
- [Payroll Giving](https://sideup.com/en-gb/charitable-giving?hsLang=en-gb)
### Lifestyle
- [Child Care](https://sideup.com/en-gb/child-care?hsLang=en-gb)
- [Pet Care](https://sideup.com/en-gb/pet-care?hsLang=en-gb)
- [Wellbeing & Fitness](https://sideup.com/en-gb/wellbeing-fitness)
- [Food & Meal](https://sideup.com/en-gb/food?hsLang=en-gb)
- [Financial Education](https://sideup.com/en-gb/financial-education?hsLang=en-gb)
- [Commuting Allowance](https://sideup.com/en-gb/commuting?hsLang=en-gb)
- [Leisure & Connection](https://sideup.com/en-gb/commuting?hsLang=en-gb)
- [Charitable Giving](https://sideup.com/en-gb/charitable-giving?hsLang=en-gb)
### Plataform
- [Manage your Platform](https://sideup.com/en-gb/how-to-spend-your-benefits?hsLang=en-gb)
- [Integrations](https://sideup.com/en-gb/integrations?hsLang=en-gb)
- [Trust](https://sideup.com/en-gb/trust3?hsLang=en-gb)
- [How to spend benefits](https://sideup.com/en-gb/how-to-spend-your-benefits?hsLang=en-gb)
- [Business Platform](https://sideup.com/en-gb/admin.sideup.com?hsLang=en-gb)
- [Employee Portal](https://sideup.com/en-gb/customer.sideup.com?hsLang=en-gb)
### Company
- [About us](https://sideup.com/en-gb/?hsLang=en-gb)
- [Partnerships](https://sideup.com/en-gb/partnership?hsLang=en-gb)
- [Brandbook](https://sideup.com/en-gb/?hsLang=en-gb)
- [Terms & Conditions](https://sideup.com/en-gb/terms-conditions?hsLang=en-gb)
- [Privacy Policy](https://sideup.com/en-gb/privacy-policy?hsLang=en-gb)
- [Contact us](https://sideup.com/en-gb/contact-us?hsLang=en-gb)
SideUp is not a bank. SideUp Visa® cards are issued by Stripe Payments UK Limited, an electronic money institution authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (firm reference number 900461) for the issuing of electronic money and the provision of payment services. Cards are issued under the Visa card scheme pursuant to a licence from Visa Europe Limited. SideUp Limited. Registered in England & Wales, Company No. 15200782. Registered office: 35 Charles Square, London, England, N1 6HT. Information on this website is a general summary, not tax advice.
© 2026 SideUp. All rights reserved.
Book a demo
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