Here’s what to give the guy in your life who lives at the gym and does reps in his sleep.
If you’re trying to be more intentional about giving gifts, you might be running into a wall when it comes to shopping for a gym rat. The reason? Lots of gym-obsessed dudes already have the most essential gear.
And if you’re not that into fitness, shopping for gifts is even trickier. Unless you’re fine with giving something your recipient already has, finding the right fitness gifts can take hours of research — and maybe even some snooping.
Lots of gift guides recommend giving essentials like T-shirts and weights, and while these do make for good gifts, you absolutely need to consider gifts that aren’t necessary but are nice to have. Think of equipment and gear that will take your gym rat’s workout to the next level.
The 13 Best Gifts for Gym Bros
I used that exact approach to curate a baker’s dozen of the best gifts for gym bros so you don’t have to spend half the holiday season searching — and so you can guarantee that you’ll give truly useful gifts.
Best Gifts for All-Around Gym Rats: Therabody Theragun Elite
No matter what your recipient’s post-workout routine is, he’ll be over the moon to have a good massage gun to help him recover from even the most intensive of exercises.
The Theragun Elite represents some of the best value for money in the category with its capability for deep muscle treatment.
It comes with five attachments that cover everything from shoulders to feet, and its ultra-quiet operation means that your recipient won’t be annoying everyone else in the locker room.
Nike Metcon 9
I could go on about how the Metcon 9 has an upsized Hyperlift plate for stability and extended rubber rope wrap for added durability. But you don’t need to know any of that lingo to know that the Metcon 9 is widely considered to be the best workout shoe in the world.
For one, it’s a Nike shoe, so you already know you’re getting trustworthy performance.
To top it all off, the Metcon 9 has the traction, support, and comfort to take on any type of workout.
Kane Revive
If your recipient already has a solid pair of gym shoes, consider getting him some recovery shoes (i.e., footwear designed to relax the wearer’s muscles and provide support after workouts). The Kane Revive is a fantastic choice — and it’s also budget-friendly.
The Revive is designed for maximum breathability, blood flow, and comfort. The design is a bit divisive, but if your recipient has a lot of athleisure clothing in his closet, the Revive will fit right in.
Lululemon The Workout Mat 6mm
Anyone who works out at home should have a high-quality mat, and The Workout Mat from Lululemon is one of the best you can get.
Made from recycled polyvinyl, this sturdy mat is grippy and supportive, so it can hold up to particularly rigorous workouts. It’s also stain-resistant, a quality your recipient will love if they have kids or pets.
Stuart & Lau, the Redux Gym Bag
Looking to really splurge on someone this holiday season? Get him The Redux Gym Bag, a premium bag that will be a serious upgrade from the suspicious-smelling duffel he’s currently using.
The Redux is made from full-grain leather and features weatherproof side pockets, a ripstop inner compartment, and anodized alloy hardware. It’s not cheap, but you get what you pay for — this is a buy-it-for-life bag.
Stance Performance Tab Socks
Getting socks as a gift is cool again, and that’s especially true for athletes who need hard-wearing footwear. Stance’s Performance Tab Socks stand out for their durability and comfort, and thankfully, they’re easy on the wallet as well.
You can choose from ultralight, light, or medium cushion (but you might have to do some investigating to figure out your recipient’s preferred sock thickness). And, of course, these go perfectly with any of the footwear on this list — hint, hint.
Oars + Alps Muscle Recovery Balm
Another great post-workout item to gift is this Muscle Recovery Balm. This balm is formulated to relieve soreness, mitigate inflammation, and promote circulation.
The active ingredients — which include menthol and vitamin E — work to soothe sore muscles by providing a cooling, calming feeling. It goes on via a rollerball applicator and is scented with a combination of lavender and sage.
Best Gifts for Runners: On Weather Jacket
If you want to give a runner just one amazing gift this year, consider the Weather Jacket from athletic wear brand “On.” It looks simple enough, but it’s full of technology designed to result in better runs.
This ultralight jacket features hidden airflow vents, a high-stretch shield cuff, and a cap-construction hood. It has a two-tone design and is available in three colors, so it’ll mesh well with any athletic wardrobe.
Apple AirPods Pro
There’s a good chance your recipient already has a pair of these mega-popular earbuds, but if he doesn’t, and you want to get him something good, spring for AirPods Pro (if he has an iPhone, that is).
AirPods might be hyped up, but they also live up to that hype. When it comes to wireless headphones for Apple devices, no other option even comes close. Plus, they stay in snugly, which makes them great for running.
TriggerPoint GRID 2.0 Foam Roller
The GRID 2.0 Foam Roller is excellent for getting rid of muscle knots and tightness, so any runner will be grateful to have one of these.
The hard core provides the firmness needed for a good massage, and the textured surface optimizes blood and oxygen flow. In other words, it’s basically the next best thing to a personal massage therapist.
Best Gifts for Weightlifters: Ten Thousand Interval Short
Weightlifters need gear that can stand up to some serious training, and that’s exactly what the Interval Short from Ten Thousand was built for.
Features like a no-bunch waistband, four-way stretch, and bonded hems make this a true performance short. It’s made from a blend of polyester and spandex that offers maximum durability and mobility that any weightlifter will appreciate.
Fit Active Sports New Ventilated Weight Lifting Workout Gloves
While gloves aren’t necessary for weightlifting sessions, they do provide extra support and grip, which can come in handy (no pun intended). There are lots of options, but the New Ventilated Weight Lifting Workout Gloves are hard to beat for the price.
These open-back gloves allow for generous air circulation to keep the hands as free of sweat as possible. The padded palms help improve grip and stability, and the built-in wrist straps offer even more support.
Rise Bar Lemon Cashew Protein Bars
Weightlifters love a good protein option, and these Lemon Cashew Protein Bars are just that. (They’re especially good for vegan bodybuilders since they’re 100% plant-based).
Made with pea protein isolate and cashews, each bar has 15g of protein. These squeaky clean bars are perfect for the weightlifter who’s especially conscious about what he puts into his body.
Finding it trickier to shop for someone? Check out our gift guide for men who say they don’t want anything.
How is this relevant for short guys? This blog has lost its focus.
Hey, short guys go to the gym, too!