Top 10 Fitness Gifts (Home Gym Gear, Trackers and Post-Workout Picks)
Fitness people are tricky to shop for. They already own the shoes, the shaker bottle and a drawer full of workout shirts. What they usually don't have is the bigger upgrade they keep putting off, or the small everyday thing that makes training a little easier. That's where a good gift lands.
This list is part of our top 10 series for hobbies and personalities. It covers the home gym, wearables, post-workout gear and a few budget picks, so it works for lifters, runners, rowers and anyone starting a New Year's routine early. Most picks come from our Home Gym and Fitness Gifts guide, with a few smaller favorites from our self-care and tech guides.
How we chose these fitness gifts
We stuck to well-known brands like BowFlex, Concept2, Therabody, Oura, WHOOP, Apple, Hyperice, Owala, Soundcore and Ninja. We based each description on what the product is designed to do according to its listing, and we included honest downsides for each one. These are gift ideas, not health or medical advice. Anyone with an injury or health condition should check with a professional before starting a new routine or using massage and compression devices.
1. BowFlex Results Series 552 SelectTech Dumbbells
The BowFlex SelectTech Adjustable Dumbbells adjust from 5 to 52.5 pounds per dumbbell with a twist of the dials, so one pair replaces a whole rack of weights. They come with storage trays, which makes them a smart pick for an apartment, a spare room or a garage corner.
Downsides: They're bulky for dumbbells and aren't meant to be dropped. Very strong lifters may outgrow the top weight.
2. Concept2 RowErg Indoor Rowing Machine
The Concept2 RowErg is the rowing machine you'll see in a lot of gyms. It gives a full-body cardio workout in one machine, and its performance monitor tracks each session. It's the big-ticket gift for someone who wants serious cardio at home.
Downsides: It's a splurge, and it needs a long strip of floor space. The fan makes noise, so it's not ideal for early mornings in a shared apartment.
3. Theragun Mini (3rd Gen) Massage Gun
The Theragun Mini (3rd Gen) is Therabody's smallest massage gun. It has three speeds and three attachments, plus a travel case and a travel lock, so it can live in a gym bag. It's an easy gift for someone who trains often and travels.
Downsides: The small size means a smaller head and less punch than the full-size models. People who want a deep, heavy massage should look at a bigger Theragun.
4. Theragun Relief Massage Gun
The Theragun Relief is the simplest Theragun, with one-button control, three speeds and a gentler massage than the other models. Its full-size triangle grip makes it easier to reach your own shoulders and back. It's a good pick for a parent or a beginner rather than a hardcore athlete.
Downsides: It has no Bluetooth connection, and the softer massage won't satisfy people who like firm pressure. Pick the Mini or the Relief, not both.
5. Oura Ring 4 Smart Ring
The Oura Ring 4 tracks sleep, activity and daily readiness from a ring instead of a watch. It's a great gift for someone who doesn't like wearing a bulky tracker to bed or who wants a screen-free option.
Downsides: Sizing matters, so use the sizing kit before you commit. The full app experience needs an ongoing membership after any included trial.
6. WHOOP 5.0 Tracker with 12-Month Membership
The WHOOP 5.0 is a screenless wearable that tracks training strain, sleep and recovery scores in the WHOOP app. This listing includes a 12-month membership, with the band and battery pack included, and it lists 14+ days of battery life.
Downsides: There's no screen, so it won't show the time or notifications. When the membership ends, it needs to be renewed to keep working.
7. Apple Watch SE 3
The Apple Watch SE 3 is Apple's most affordable current watch. It tracks workouts, steps and heart rate, and it handles calls, texts and notifications too. For iPhone users, it's the easiest way to get a fitness tracker that also works as an everyday watch. Serious outdoor athletes can step up to the Apple Watch Ultra 3 from our fitness guide.
Downsides: It needs an iPhone, so skip it for Android users. Battery life is shorter than rings and screenless trackers, so it needs regular charging.
8. Hyperice Normatec 3 Compression Boots
The Hyperice Normatec 3 boots use air compression on the legs after a run or leg day. They're the kind of gear many endurance athletes covet but won't buy for themselves, which makes them a memorable splurge gift for runners and cyclists.
Downsides: They're one of the priciest gifts on this list, and they take time to set up and pack away. Casual exercisers may not use them enough to justify the price.
9. Owala FreeSip Insulated Water Bottle (24 oz)
The Owala FreeSip lets you sip through the built-in straw or tilt it back and drink from the spout. It has a push-button lid with a lock, and double-wall insulation that's listed to keep drinks cold for up to 24 hours. It's an easy gift under $50 that gets used every day.
Downsides: It isn't made for hot drinks. The cup is hand wash only, though the lid can go in the dishwasher.
10. Soundcore V20i Open-Ear Earbuds
The Soundcore V20i are open-ear earbuds with adjustable ear hooks, so they stay put while leaving your ears open to traffic and gym announcements. They're rated IP55 and have customizable lights, which runners on early or late routes may like.
Downsides: Open-ear designs don't block noise, so they're not for someone who wants to drown out a loud gym. Bass is lighter than in sealed earbuds.
Bonus: a blender for post-workout shakes
If they make protein shakes or smoothies, the Ninja Professional Plus Blender has a 72-ounce pitcher, Auto-iQ presets and blades built to crush ice. It's a practical kitchen pick that fits right into a training routine. See more in our handy kitchen appliances guide.
Quick picks by budget and style
- Under $50: Owala FreeSip bottle or Soundcore V20i earbuds.
- Home gym builders: BowFlex SelectTech dumbbells or the Concept2 RowErg.
- Data lovers: Oura Ring 4, WHOOP 5.0 or Apple Watch SE 3.
- Post-workout gear: Theragun Mini, Theragun Relief or Normatec 3 boots.
Tips for buying fitness gifts
Ask yourself how they train now. A runner gets more from earbuds or a tracker than from dumbbells, while a lifter who trains at home will love the BowFlex set. If you're choosing a wearable, check their phone first, and remember that some trackers need a membership. For larger gear, measure the room before you order.
For more ideas, browse our gifts for him under $50, self-care and spa gifts and outdoor, camping and hiking gifts guides. Shopping for a gamer too? See our top 10 gifts for gamers, or find more in the for him category.
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