The 40 Best Fitness Gifts for Your Athletic Friends

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 fitness 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 since they’ll hopefully hit the outdoor trails in summer.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 the same resistance that, say, a weighted gym machine would, but it’s plenty for working the underutilized muscles in your core.

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.

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.

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.