Shopping for a Fitness Fanatic? These 40 Gifts Will Fit into Any Workout Schedule

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If you’re close to an athlete, be they a runner, yogi, or self-described gym rat, it may feel like finding them a gift is impossible. After all, they seem to have everything they need, right?

While this may be true on a large scale—you don’t need to gift new running shoes to a runner, for example—chances are there are gaps in their rotation of accessories that make each workout a little more tedious than necessary. The real challenge, then, is figuring out what they need.

While we don’t know what kind of equipment your fitness-obsessed friends are rocking already, there’s a good chance one of the gifts below will help them solve some nagging problem they didn’t even know they had. From neat gym accessories, to convenient memberships and comfy recovery gear, these items provide the perfect balance between thoughtfulness, value, and usability—no cheap mugs or tacky t-shirts here!

Looking for something run-specific? Check out our top gifts for runners.

Acupressure Mat

This mat may be uncomfortable at first, but it can help speed up recovery, reduce stress, and improve circulation for that special fitness fanatic in your life. They can lay on different parts of their body, or even stand on it while they work once they’re accustomed to using it.

Core

This little gadget uses guided meditations and vibrations to help gym-goers find some peace and mindfulness—everything from breathing exercises, to daily meditations, to meditations specifically for athletes. It also tracks stress and progress overtime, which can help make mindfulness a habit instead of a brief relief.

Versa 4 Fitness Tracker

Similar to the doubly priced Apple Watch, this Fitbit has a minimalist design and comes in a few different color options. It tracks heart rate, activities, sleep, and more, and its sleek design will make you want to leave it on all day.

Noughty Rouge Dealcoholized Red Wine

For many a family, it wouldn’t be the holidays without a hearty red wine at the center of the table. But not every athlete is down to drink, so having an alternative that still tastes great can help your health enthusiast friends and family feel included. This red in particular maintains a proper wine flavor, unlike many alternatives that feel like they’re missing something critical and spoiling the experience.

Gum Trainer Shoe

Don’t let its cool, casual design fool you—this shoe’s here to work. It’s an all-round gym trainer, so it can lift heavy, sprint fast, and flex comfortably with all of your athlete’s cross-training workouts.

Front Range Dog Harness

This dog harness is a great choice for your friend who never leaves the house without a furry friend—especially one on the energetic side. It has multiple leash mounting points, all of which allow you to gently redirect any pup without tugging on their neck. It also comes with touches of reflective detailing, which can help keep them visible in low light.

Inner Arc Ergonomic Silicone Rings

These silicone wedding rings are great to wear when you don’t want to risk damaging or losing your actual ring. They’re ultra comfortable, and they don’t risk needless injury to your hand from an awkward lift, falling over, or getting caught in machinery.

Bike Phone Front Frame Bag

Commuters and casual bikers will love this pack. It’s great for storing a few small necessities, and it protects your phone while keeping it on display. It also has a touch-friendly screen guard, so your fit friend can still use their phone as they ride.

Digital Gift Card

If you’re unfamiliar with Zwift, it’s effectively a Sims-esque virtual world that you navigate aboard your trainer-mounted bike. It’s a great alternative to riding outside in the bitter cold, and it has boomed in popularity over the past three years. To add some spice to your cyclist friend’s winter training, you can help them cover the monthly fee for a membership with a Zwift gift card. They come in denominations ranging from $25 to $500, but $100 should cover the main fee for about half the year—about as long as anyone really uses it.

26-Ounce Shaker Bottle

There’s nothing worse than drinking a warm protein drink—ask your gym-dweller friends if you don’t believe us. This bottle keeps your drink cold all day with double insulation, and it has an attached agitator that keeps your drinks properly mixed. It also won’t rattle around while you drink it.

The Runner’s World Cookbook

Athletes take fueling seriously—it can make or break a workout. But finding fun recipes isn’t quite as easy as counting macronutrients, which is why our cookbook makes a thoughtful gift for any fitness enthusiast who’s growing weary of chicken breasts and rice. It’s packed with 150 recipes, all of which will give your athlete something to look forward to after an intense session.

Waterproof Car Seat Cover

Trail runners and mountain bikers especially know the struggle of climbing into a clean car after a sweaty, muddy outing. Thankfully, this waterproof car seat cover protects your seats from the sweat, dirt, sand and grime you’ve accumulated during your workout by absorbing it all like a spongy towel. It’s made with an anti-slip backing, keeping it from shifting around, and it’s machine washable, so you can chuck it in the washer as often as you like.

Pull Up Bar

This pull up bar fits in any standard doorway, and it’s great for getting in some gains from home. It has three places to grip, which allows you to activate different muscle groups. Plus, its foam grips make this bar more comfortable and easier to hold.

Ace 3 Running Watch for Kids

Despite its simplified design, the Ace 3 is a comprehensive health tracker that will help kids see how much energy they’re exerting every day, be it through running or simply playing outside. It’s a great gift for any youngsters who are thinking about getting into running—the interface is super intuitive, and the battery can run for 8 days between charges, lest it gets lost in the couch cushions for a bit.

Fitness Journal & Workout Planner

You can always track your workouts digitally, but there is something so satisfying about taking the time to write them out after completion. This one has 140 days of tracking, and it comes in a pack of two, so you can either set someone up for a year, or keep one for yourself.

Foot Massager Machine

Pamper hard-working feet with this heated foot massager. It has a detachable, washable foot cover, and can fit feet up to a men’s size 12. We love a fitness gift that also promotes self care.

GO Suspension Trainer System

If you don’t have a lot of space for gym equipment, TRX trainers are a great way to get in an intense full-body workout without the need for heavy, clunky machines—all you need is a fixed tethering point, such as a tree branch or support beam, to use as a counterweight. These bands don’t provide a ridiculous amount of resistance, but it’s plenty for working the underutilized muscles in your core.

Fitness Board Game

A little friendly competition never hurt anybody. This board game challenges you and your workout buddy to compete in a circuit training workout, all while racing against the included hourglasses as well as each other. All exercises are strictly bodyweight, so you can play anywhere, anytime.

GRID Foam Roller

There are thousands of foam rollers available to help soothe your athlete’s sore muscles, but this model from Trigger Point is a proper standout—and has been for years. Its exterior is contoured to provide a balance of targeted firmness and foamy compression, and it’s supported by a strong plastic core that won’t deform under you.

TrailMix Plus Hydration Belt

Whether your fit friends like going for jogs around the neighborhood or weekly hikes, this fanny pack holds all the essentials—including water—so they can trek with their hands free. This hydration belt in particular stands out from the pack because, on top of having space for two bottles, it comes stock with two insulated ones.

Baby Biceps Gift Set

For the fitness buffs who just had a baby, get their little one started young with this adorable gym set for babies. While these toys aren’t exactly made for kiddos to crush an epic workout (take the “100” on the kettlebell with a grain of salt), they can help any youngster feel included while their parent works out at home—a prudent alternative to letting them near any heavy equipment.

Pro Blender

If you know a nutrition fanatic who loves to start the day with a green smoothie, this blender. They’ll love whipping up their concoction in its personal-size cup, and they’ll surely appreciate the 1200-watt motor that can handle ice, frozen fruit, and fibrous veggies with ease.

40 oz. Water Bottle with Straw Lid

Hydration is essential for peak athletic performance, and a cold drink is always more refreshing than a room-temperature one. This Hydro Flask s double insulated, which means it can keep beverages cold up to 24 hours, and it also comes in 14 different colors so you can personalize it even further for your special someone.

Adjustable Kettlebell Weights Set

This adjustable kettlebell is ideal for a home gym that’s running out of space. Despite their low profile, the detachable weights can total up to 40 pounds, so even seasoned gym-goers can knock out some high-load reps with one of these versatile tools.

Resistance Loop Exercise Bands

Possibly the most cost-effective way to get home workouts in, these resistance bands are an easy way to target muscles you can’t quite as easily get with standard bodyweight reps. Each pack comes with five bands of varying stretchiness, allowing you to dial in the best resistance level for every workout, and it all fits inside a neat pouch for easy portability.

Hands-Free Dog Leash with Zipper Pouch

This dog leash is made for runners who would rather spend less time picking up after their dogs. It connects to a waistband that has a pouch for carrying essentials—poo bags, most imporantly—and the leash features two bungee sections that help absorb shock when your dog yanks you along.

eKO Superlite Travel Yoga Mat

This yoga mat from Manduka is only a millimeter and a half thick, which makes it great for traveling—it can roll up to fit perfectly in a carry-on while still leaving room for your other away-from-home essentials. It’s not the most supremely cushioned mat on the market, but it’s certainly better than the hardwood in your Airbnb.

Paramount Commuter Backpack

Bike commuting is a great way to get in some extra movement—and help save money on gas. This backpack is designed to be comfortable, weather-resistant, and aerodynamic for commuters, all while maintaining a professional aesthetic.

Sprint 225 Headlamp

Daylight is still waning, and sometimes it’s just not possible to get in a run while the sun is shining. This headlamp will keep your athlete safe by lighting their way, and it’s easily adjustable, even with gloved fingers (or numb ones).

Commercial S22i Exercise Bike

A great way to get in a workout indoors, the NordicTrack Commercial S22i Studio Cycle allows them to take classes, go on virtual rides, or simply turn the pedals and get some energy out. And for your friend who loves boutique fitness classes, this bike also comes with a free 30-day trial of iFit, a series of live and on-demand classes in which iFit Trainers automatically adjust your resistance, incline, and decline for a more immersive experience.

TICKR Heart Rate Monitor

For your data geek friend, this Wahoo heart rate monitor accurately tracks their heart rate and calories burned during workouts and can connect directly to fitness apps like Wahoo Fitness, Zwift, Runtastic, Runkeeper, UA Record, Endomondo, Peloton and Map My Run.

Level.2 Commuter Electric Bike

This e-bike is great for leaving the car at home and riding to work or school, which might be a New Year’s goal for the fitness lover in your life. It has a top speed of 28 mph and a rack for hauling your stuff, and it even comes with a built-in LCD display that shows your speed, battery capacity, and other metrics. Plus, it’s built to the IPX4 water-resistant standard, which means it can withstand water splashes and light rain from any direction.

Gift Card

Class Pass is an app that allows members to book workout classes and gym passes all across the US. For someone who travels frequently, this fitness gift can make or break their ability to get in their workout.

Multi-Loop Yoga Strap

When you’re stretching alone, it can be tough to hold yourself in position or give your extended limbs a much-needed extra tug. Not only does this handle-laden strap allow you to maintain better counterbalance in extreme yoga poses by centering your weight, but it also allows you to slowly ratchet up your deeper stretches without any outside assistance or risk of overextension.

Heavy Duty Bicycle U Lock

U-locks are the best option when it comes to locking up a bike outside—and while this one may be expensive, it’s resistant to hand tools and bolt cutters, which significantly decreases the chance of theft.

AirPods Pro

These earbuds are noise-cancelling and sweat-proof, making them a great pick for when you want to zone in on your workout. They also pair quickly with your devices so you can get straight into your run.

Chamois Butt'r GoStik Anti-Chafing Solid, 2.5 Ounce, White (GS2.5)

If you’re looking for a stocking stuffer that will get some chuckles as well as plenty of use, there’s nothing quite like an anti-chafe stick such as this one from Chamois Butt’r. It’s no secret that chafing is the real bad guy of running, and having a quick and easy means of preventing it can make any run longer than a few miles feel significantly more bearable. All you have to do is apply this stick to areas where you chafe regularly, and you’re good to go for hours.

Forerunner 265 Smartwatch

If the athlete in your life is looking for a more thorough readout of their health stats, now could be the time to splurge and get them a performance running watch from Garmin—the Kleenex of running watches. This gadget not only tracks runs with impressive GPS accuracy, but it also keeps track of all kinds of vital health stats, from heart rate and blood oxygen to training readiness and sleep quality.

Revive Recovery Shoe

Walking after a long run or race can be difficult, but this cushy, roomy recovery shoe from Kane takes the edge off unlike anything else. It also comes in dozens of colors, so you can personalize for your athlete that little bit more.

Hypervolt Go 2 Percussion Massager

This percussion massager really hits the spot—hundreds of times over and over, to be exact—after a grueling workout session. It comes with multiple head attachments for varying levels of pressure, and the speed is also easy to adjust.

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