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27 Fitness Gifts Your Workout-Loving BFF Will Absolutely Love

Including the chicest ankle weights ever.

by Emily Kelley and Danielle Sinay
Updated: 
Originally Published: 
The best fitness gifts for your workout-loving BFF.
Brandblack; Theragun; Bala Bangles.

I’ve recently gotten into running, but I’ve not yet evolved into one of those ultra-sporty people who spends hours weightlifting in the gym or genuinely enjoys drinking kale smoothies. If you happen to know someone like that, however, these fitness gift ideas for exercise lovers are exactly what you need to keep them happy (and sweaty) come the holidays.

Whether your BFF is an avid runner, HIIT workout devotee, or a yoga fanatic, there's a fitness gift out there that’s sure to upgrade their sweat sessions. And they run the gamut of options and price points, from (cool) water bottles to workout accessories and tracking devices, all of which will maximize your giftees’ exercise game. So if they're the kind who schedules their workouts just like they schedule meetings, a gift from this list is sure to make them extra-grateful.

To help you browse the wide world of fitness gear and accessories, we've rounded up the most covetable fitness gift ideas to help bring joy to your sporty friends and loved ones. Keep scrolling to cross those names off your shopping list.

We only include products that have been independently selected by Bustle's editorial team. However, we may receive a portion of sales if you purchase a product through a link in this article.

1. Sporty Headphones

These soft, washable over-ear headphones are a great pick for the gym rat in your life who loves jamming out to ABBA while doing their strength training circuit.

2. A Top-Notch Fitness Tracker

Y'all, the Fitbit Versa 3 knocks it out of the park when it comes to a great health and wellness gift. It's got your step tracking, your sleep monitoring, and a whole slew of other functions in a sleek smartwatch. This is a great gift for a friend who's yet to take the dive into the world of smartwatch, but knows that their phone's pedometer is not the best way to measure their miles.

3. A Personal Blender

The Oster is a great personal blender, as it makes enough for a single bottle at a time. Plus, the blender tube is also a portable sports bottle that you can blend and then take with you. Smoothie magic!

4. For A Recovery Upgrade

If you want to get your friend a foam roller, but don't want to give them just a... roll of foam, consider this vibrating foam roller, which has different settings depending on which muscle group the user wants to work. Now that's relaxation.

5. A Compact Water Bottle

Not a lot of room in your gym bag? Once this bottle is empty, it squishes down to a mere two inches tall! Talk about functional.

6. Exercise-Friendly Earbuds

For runners, you can't beat a pair of wireless earbuds for keeping your tunes on the go. Jaybird consistently has the top in-ear headphones for runners, and it doesn't hurt that this model is often on sale.

7. A Practical Gym Bag

No matter what your workout game is — yoga, weightlifting, running, spinning — this bag can fit it all. It's a great size to carry a mat, towel, extra clothes, and everything else you need to take to the gym with you. Plus, it has a designated compartment for your stinky, sweaty shoes.

8. Sturdy Yoga Blocks

Even the most experienced yogis know that everyone could do with a little extra support (especially when you're dangling in half-moon pose). These cork yoga blocks are sturdy but soft on sore joints and earth friendly to boot.

9. A Hydration-Tracking Smartwatch

For a smartwatch that tracks it all — from your steps to your sleep, heart health, and stress levels — the Samsung Galaxy Active2 reigns supreme.

10. A Workout Game

Workouts can sometimes get a bit... boring after a while. This set of fitness dice will help keep things interesting, and push gym-goers out of their typical routine every once in a while.

11. Fitness-Themed Art

I'm a swimmer, so this vintage-inspired French swimming poster cracks me up. It won't help your friend's stroke technique, but it will help them smile after a long day at the pool.

12. A Resistance Band Set

My mom is a physical therapist, and she swears by resistance bands, even for the most casual of exercisers. This set comes with a door anchor for easy use, too.

12. A Running Armband

For people who like to bring their music on the go, a running armband is a necessary part of your gym bag. This one isn't too pricey, but will fit your phone plus keys, credit cards, and a little cash.

13. A Handy Shaker Bottle

If your fitness obsessed friend makes a lot protein shakes or smoothies or even pancakes, this BlenderBottle is perfect. The blender ball inside ensures that whatever they're making is mixed up just right.

14. A Health Encyclopedia

Giving your body enough time to heal and recover is another important part of exercising. This book lists a bunch of natural food remedies for everything from the common cold to insomnia.

15. Yoga-Themed Baking Goodies

Add some "yummm" to your "ommmm" with these adorable yoga-inspired cookie cutters. This set includes five cutters, each with a recognizable yoga pose like downward dog or warrior II.

16. Wear-With-Everything Leggings

I can pretty much guarantee you that everyone on your list could use a new pair of leggings. These high-waisted leggings are a great pick for your friend who hasn't seen a pair of jeans in months.

17. The Perfect Yoga Mat

Even if your bestie isn't much of a yogi, the benefits of a yoga mat are endless. Who doesn't need a clean, cushioned place to do crunches or planks, or just a spot to lie on the floor at the end of a long day? This mat happens to be really cute and practical.

18. A Portable Muscle Massager

Anyone who's ever used a Theragun knows how divine it feels on muscle tightness. Gift your workout enthusiast friend this purse-friendly option so that they can melt away body aches wherever they may be.

19. Chic Wrist & Ankle Weights

It's hard to find fitness weights that aren't an eyesore. Enter: Bala Bangles, which wrap around your wrists and ankles, giving your workout added resistance in style. They come in a wide range of gorgeous colors, too.

20. Smart Socks

Everyone needs socks — especially your fitness-loving BFF. Even better, though? These athletic socks, which offer cushioning for impact protection... which means your HIIT devotee friend's joints will be spared.

21. A Toasty Hat

As the temperatures dip, throwing on a snug beanie helps keep the entire body warm. This camo-chic hat by Lululemon covers the ears of the outdoor running fan in your life, and it’s available in four pretty pastel colors.

22. A Cushiony Sneaker

Nothing compares to that bouncy feeling of workout out in a new pair of sneakers. This ultra-light pair from BRANDBLACK has a maximal-cushion insole and high traction rubber outsole and shank that work to propel you forward and absorb impact.

23. A Yoga Starter Kit

One perfect gift idea? The Yoga Beginners Kit, courtesy of GAIAM. It gives you yoga mats, a yoga block, and a yoga strap, as well as access to GAIAM’s guided digital workouts.

24. A High-Tech Jump Rope

This is like a jump rope from the future: It displays your workout data in LED light as you use it, and pairs to your phone to track your jump count, calories burned, and your heart rate.

25. A Stylish & Sweat-Proof Headband

The GymWrap is a gym rat’s dream come true: This lightweight headband isn’t just easy on the eyes, but was designed specifically to wick moisture away from your hair and face and allow for quick drying during workouts. They’re durable, machine washable, and super thin, and they come in multiple fun colors.

26. A Pack Of Cooling Towels

There is no greater feeling than working up a sweat and feeling instantly invigorating by the cooling sensation of something chilly against your skin. Fortunately for you (and your giftee), these microfiber cooling towels can do just that: The super-absorbent fabric can be used to wipe sweat and/or to wear around your neck or head for some much-needed chilling.

27. A Frizz-Friendly Baseball Cap

Baseball caps are the ultimate outdoor running accessory — except for when they end up ruining your hair. This satin-line baseball cap by Grace Eleyae, however, was designed specifically to protect hair from dryness, frizz, and/or tangling while wearing. What’s more, it’s super stylish, and comes with an adjustable back strap. Talk about a win/win/win.

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