The 17 best fitness gifts to buy for gym lovers, hand-picked by a personal trainer

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2. Exercise

The 17 best fitness gifts to buy for gym lovers, hand-picked by a personal trainer

Buying guides By Anna Gora published 10 December 2025

Need some last-minute gift ideas for a fitness enthusiast? We have your back.

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(Image credit: Getty Images) Jump to:

• Massage guns
• Headphones
• Gym essentials
• Fitness trackers
• Fun gifts

With Christmas less than two weeks away, now is the time to focus on gift shopping. But what should you buy for the gym enthusiast in your life? The standard sweater or scented candle may not cut it, and finding a gift that complements their passion can be truly daunting if you are not versed in an active lifestyle. The best fitness gifts are those that show you understand and support their dedication to self-improvement. They should either enhance their training, optimize their recovery, or simply make their gym life a little more efficient and enjoyable.

Confused? Do not worry. We have curated a list of the 17 best fitness gifts, blending practicality, innovation, and a touch of luxury to help your favorite athlete level up their training routine in the New Year. You can trust us here — we have worked in the fitness industry for more than a decade now, and know a thing or two about what constitutes a great fitness gift. With these ideas, you can skip the guesswork and give your loved one something they will truly make use of.

Anna GoraSocial Links NavigationHealth writer and personal trainer

Anna Gora is a health writer and product reviewer at Live Science, as well as a certified personal trainer, nutritionist and fitness coach with nearly 14 years of professional experience. A dedicated gym rat and passionate hiker, she is always on the lookout for new and exciting ways to help people improve their health and exercise performance.

Massage guns and recovery tools

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Forget basic foam rollers — the real game changers for post-exercise stiffness and muscle knots are percussion massage guns. These powerful handheld devices deliver targeted percussive therapy (rapid pulses or vibrations to the muscles), helping to alleviate soreness, increase blood flow and improve range of motion after intense workouts. If your loved one trains hard for a sporting event and/or tends to struggle with DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness), giving them one of the best massage guns will show that you care just as much about their rest and well-being as you do about their effort.

• More buying advice: Theragun vs Hypervolt: Which is best?

Our top pickSave 13% ($30)Hyperice Hypervolt 2: was $229 now $199 at Amazon

The Hyperice Hypervolt 2 takes the well-deserved top spot in our guide to the best massage guns, and for a good reason. This sleek device features a lightweight, user-friendly design, five attachment heads and a dedicated app packed with guided warm-up and recovery routines. All that, and it costs under $200.

Price check: Best Buy $199

View DealFor serious exercisersSave 15% ($80.99)Theragun Pro: was $529.99 now $449 at Amazon

Looking for something more high-end? Then you can't go wrong with the Theragun Pro. Ultra-advanced, smart-enabled and highly customizable, this market-leading massage gun is on every athlete's wish list this holiday season. Thanks to its handy carrying case, it is also a great option for frequent travellers.

Price check: Walmart $499

View DealCompact and portableSave 21% ($21.15)Bob and Brad Q2: was $99.99 now $78.84 at Amazon

The Bob and Brad Q2 mini massage gun is an excellent alternative to the bulky and pricey Theragun and Hyperice devices mentioned above. Plus, it features a red light infrared heating head that can help warm up stiff muscles, relieve pain and boost circulation. Excellent value for less than $99.

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Running headphones and sports earbuds

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Every fitness buff knows that the right soundtrack can turn a good workout into a great one. Noise-cancelling headphones are a perfect gift for a gym lover — they will block out the clanging weights, distracting conversations and underwhelming gym playlists, immersing them fully in their own auditory zone and helping them achieve their best. Make sure that the headphones are fully sweatproof, with a customizable fit and a good battery life, and, most importantly, are compatible with your intended recipient's phone.

Mind you, if your fitness lover is more of an outdoor than an indoor exerciser, they may prefer one of the best bone conduction headphones instead. They have an open-ear design that allows for situational awareness, making them a better choice for runners and hikers. They are also the only headphone type that can be used underwater — if your loved one is a swimmer or triathlete, they will surely appreciate it.

Best for ANCSave 28% ($50)Bose QuietComfort earbuds: was $179 now $129 at Amazon

We must have done over a hundred gym workouts wearing those earbuds, and we can't recommend them enough. They excel at blocking background noises, they do not tend to slip out or feel uncomfortable, and they offer excellent battery life and a good degree of waterproofness. Not to mention, they simply sound great.

Price check: Walmart $129, Best Buy $129

View DealBest AirPodsSave 35% ($45)Apple AirPods 4: was $129.99 now $84.99 at Best Buy

In a similar price range, we have the Apple AirPods 4. A more budget-friendly alternative to the AirPods Pro 2, these sleek earbuds offer wireless charging, great sound quality and up to 20 hours of battery life. Every iOS user would be happy to get them this Christmas.

Price check: Walmart $99.99, Amazon $99.99

View DealBest for runnersShokz OpenRun Pro 2: $179.95 at Amazon

Our all-time favorite bone conduction headphones and a 'go-to' pick for runners worldwide, the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 impressed us with their excellent sound quality, long battery life and comfortable fit. Trust us, anyone who trains outdoors would love to have them.

Price check: Best Buy $179.99, Walmart $179

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Gym essentials: Gym duffle bags, water bottles and towels

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An active lifestyle is not cheap, and not just because of the steep gym membership costs. The devil is in the details: you may need a reusable water bottle to keep you hydrated between sets, a towel to wipe out your sweat from the cardio machines, an ultra-grippy yoga mat to help you step up your Pilates sessions, a gym bag to keep all your bits and pieces in one place... The list goes on. This is why gym essentials make for fantastic gifts. If you can give your fitness-obsessed loved one something that will help them cut the costs of keeping fit, they will not be disappointed.

Stainless steel bottleTakeya Insulated Water Bottle: $28.99 at Amazon

We are big fans of our Takeya Insulated Water Bottle. It is durable, leakproof and easy to clean, and most importantly, it keeps our drinks at the right temperature for hours on end. The best part? It comes in seven colors and six sizes, so there is something in store for everyone.

Price check: Target $34.99

View DealSpacious gym bagLululemon 3-in-1 Gym Duffle Bag: $158 at lululemon (US)

Yes, it is pricey, yes, it looks a bit basic, but you would be hard-pressed to find a gym bag that is more stylish, functional and easy to carry around than the Lululemon 3-in-1 Gym Duffle Bag. With a separate shoe compartment and 30L capacity, it has enough space to keep all your gym essentials.

View DealYoga matLululemon Mat 5mm: $118 at lululemon (US)

A good yoga mat is surprisingly hard to find. If good grip, thick cushioning and durability are at the top of your loved one's priority list, consider splashing out on the premium Lululemon 5mm Reversible Yoga Mat. It is pricey, true, but we named it the best option overall in our guide to the best yoga mats, and can personally vouch for its top-notch build quality.

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Fitness trackers: Smartwatches, skipping ropes and swimming goggles

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It is not just Garmin watches and smart rings — these days, fitness trackers come in all shapes and sizes, from innovative digital skipping ropes that count your jumps to smart goggles that measure your stroke rate and other vital stats when doing laps in a pool. Choosing the best fitness tracker for your loved one can be a daunting task, but it is worth the effort. Gym lovers love to keep track of their workout endeavours, and they will always appreciate a gift that helps them make sense of their fitness stats and identify areas for improvement.

• More buying advice: How to choose the best smartwatch for your loved one, according to an expert: The ultimate Christmas gift guide

Garmin watchSave 25% ($250)Garmin Fenix 8: was $999.99 now $749.99 at Amazon

Want to wow your loved one this Christmas? Give them the Garmin Fenix 8, one of the most advanced GPS wearables on the market and our all-time favorite smartwatch for tracking workouts. Ultra-rugged, dive-friendly and packed to the brim with tracking features, it is an ultimate treat for every fitness enthusiast.

Price check: Walmart $749.99, Best Buy $749.99

View DealSmart skipping ropeSave 17% ($4)Renpho Smart Rope: was $22.99 now $18.99 at Amazon

This is an excellent pick for fitness nerds. The Renpho Smart Rope measures your skip time, total skip number and calories burned, and it comes with three exercise modes (free jump, time countdown and numbers countdown) as well as a dedicated app that tracks and analyzes your workouts. Fun and functional!

View DealSwimming gogglesSave 29% ($80)Form Smart Swim 2 Swimming Goggles: was $279 now $199 at Amazon

The Form Smart Swim 2 Swimming Goggles are an excellent alternative to wrist-worn wearables. This innovative gadget can give real-time feedback on heart rate, split times, distance and many other vital swimming stats, all without having to meddle with the buttons or interrupting workouts halfway through.

Price check: Dick's Sporting Goods $199

View DealWorkout journalNextnoid Hardcover Fitness Journal: $15.99 at Amazon

For those who prefer the old-school ways of tracking workouts, we recommend this hardcover workout journal. Beautifully crafted, thoughtfully designed and tough enough to withstand an unforgiving gym environment, this logbook offers a convenient way to stay on top of your sets and reps.

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Fun fitness gifts: Games and trinkets

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Fitness gifts do not have to be serious, quite the opposite. The tongue-in-cheek presents are a particularly good option if your loved one already has every possible gym item available, or if they are in dire need of workout inspiration. This Christmas, bring a smile to their face with a fun music boxing machine, fitness board game or a set of coasters shaped like weight plates.

Music boxing machineMaitu Music Boxing Machine: $229.90 at Amazon

Make workouts fun with the top-rated Maitu Music Boxing Machine. This innovative machine combines a punching bag, dynamic LED light shows and intelligent music control for an ultimate rhythm-based gaming experience. Great for training power, stamina and cue reactivity.

View DealUnder $15Brothers Bench Store Bumper Plate Drink Coasters: $12.99 at Amazon

Looking for something more budget-friendly? How about day-to-day items shaped like exercise equipment? Whether it is a mug that resembles a heavy dumbbell or a set of coasters that look like weight plates, these gifts will showcase your thoughtfulness and creativity.

View DealFun dice gameStack 52 Quick Sweat Fitness Dice: $19.97 at Amazon

Designed by military fitness expert Sergeant Volkin, this innovative dice game offers an easy way to combine fun and exercise with your friends and family. With endless combinations of bodyweight exercises and no equipment needed, it is suitable for people of all fitness levels.

View DealFun board gameBoardgains Starter Edition: $44.99 at Amazon

The Boardgains Starter Edition is a classic board game and full-body bootcamp rolled into one. Fun, effective and suitable for people of all fitness levels, it offers a highly enjoyable way to exercise in group settings, without any equipment or complex rules to follow.

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Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. Anna GoraHealth Writer

Anna Gora is a health writer at Live Science, having previously worked across Coach, Fit&Well, T3, TechRadar and Tom's Guide. She is a certified personal trainer, nutritionist and health coach with nearly 10 years of professional experience. Anna holds a Bachelor's degree in Nutrition from the Warsaw University of Life Sciences, a Master’s degree in Nutrition, Physical Activity & Public Health from the University of Bristol, as well as various health coaching certificates. She is passionate about empowering people to live a healthy lifestyle and promoting the benefits of a plant-based diet.

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