This post is all about gifts for athlete friends.
Shopping for someone who loves fitness and sports gives you a great starting point on what to get, but it can still be hard to think of good gifts for athlete friends!
As someone who’s always been athletic and loves working out, I like to think that I stay up-to-date on the latest fitness products that any athlete would love. Buying something off this list will help you make sure you’re getting a practical gift that your athlete friend will actually use!
This post is divided into gifts for female athletes, gifts for male athletes, and gifts that any athlete would love. So, I’ve got all the bases covered and I know you’ll find something great for all your athletic loved ones!!
This post is all about gifts for athlete friends.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll earn a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Our full disclosure policy is pretty boring, but you can read it here.
FITNESS GIFTS FOR ANYONE:
Massage guns are seriously the best thing for anyone who works out. Plus, this one comes with a bunch of different attachments and speeds to help you really get the massage you need for optimal muscle recovery. My husband and I have had one for years now and we use it almost every day!
Everyone needs a good sweat towel set.
Whether they like to work out at home, hit the gym, or play a sport, sweat towels are something that no athlete can go without!
Okay I just got this desk walking pad, which was on my wish list forever, and it's AMAZING!
For the athlete that just can’t stop moving, buuuut has to sit down and get some work done from time to time, this walking pad is the perfect gift.
If they have a standing desk, they can use it while they're working. If not, they can still use this while watching TV or on the phone!
One thing is for sure... the ideal gift for an athlete is anything that helps them get on their feet more hours of the day.
That's why I love this electric sit-to-stand desk. I have a FlexiSpot desk myself and I LOVE the fact that I can stand, stretch, and move while getting some work done!
Similarly to the under desk walking pad, this under desk elliptical machine is an excellent gift for any athlete who wants to get some movement in while working from home or doing tasks where they would normally be sitting in one place!
You really can’t go wrong with ankle weights.
They’re perfect to add to a variety of exercises, or even just a neighborhood walk, so they make the perfect gift for athlete friends who don’t have them yet.
Even if your athletic friends already have an exercise mat, chances are it’ll wear out (or it already is worn out) and they won’t hesitate to thank you for a new one.
These adjustable dumbbells are hands-down one of the best purchases I have ever made. I bought them years ago and still use them all the time! These are a game changer for anyone who loves working out at home!
My Thermoflask water bottle has lasted me years and never fails to keep my drink cold! I love this water bottle and would buy it again and again, so I knew I had to add it to this gift guide.
Any athlete who loves to keep tabs on their specific health indicators like weight or BMI would love one of these BMI scales! This is the same one I have and I love the way it seamlessly connects to an app so you can see all your history, set goals, and track your progress.
Nobody can ever have too many of these 😉 especially an athlete!
For mornings at the gym or practices on-the-go, having. a cosmetics & toiletries bag that you can easily pack and lug around without much hassle is key.
Because what are sports and workouts without music?! This is one of the best portable waterproof speakers out there.
These are seriously some of the comfiest slides ever. I’ve had these slides since 2015 and always buy the exact same pair when I need a new one because they’re just. that. good.
Who would say no to a heated foot massage?! Especially after a hard workout or sports game!
If the athlete you’re shopping for doesn’t already have a Fitbit or Apple Watch, then I can almost guarantee that it’s on their list. I love these because they help you track fitness goals and even see other health indicators like your sleep and your steps!
For those satisfying cool-downs after a hard workout!
A step bench is the perfect addition for anyone who has a home gym!
This is so handy for practices or gym workouts to keep your wet and dry stuff separate.
This looks like the best thing ever because you can strap it to yourself and then wear it around the house. Perfect for any athlete who needs some muscle relaxation for their neck & back!
Any athlete who has experienced any level of injury needs some gel ice packs on hand! This is a great smaller item that you can add to another gift.
The Whoop fitness tracker has gotten super popular lately. I know so many people who use it and love it because it can track your fitness and your sleep but it's so lightweight and discreet!
Electrolytes are yummy and a fantastic gift for athletes because these are something you constantly need to restock.
I use Liquid IV and love it because they have such delicious flavors!!
Just Ingredients protein powder is one of the most popular clean protein powder brands. I seriously see it everywhere and I've bought it several times because they have such unique and delicious flavors!
Whether your friend uses this in protein shakes or other meal prep, it's a great way to get some added protein and nutrition into your day.
If you want to buy some gym essentials for your athlete friend, add foam rollers to your list! They're super affordable but you can do so much with them.
Jump rope is so good for cardio and overall health. This jump rope set will be a great addition to your friend's home gym equipment!
Oura rings are the other super popular fitness tracker right now, and for good reason. They look like normal jewelry but they're really a high-tech fitness tracker that can track your sleep, activity, heart rate, and even body temperature!
If your friend doesn't actually have a sauna at home or near home, this infrared sauna blanket is the next best thing!
I've heard AMAZING things about these red light masks. They're supposed to work wonders for your skin and be so good for your wellbeing.
There's lots of different compression gear you can get, but start them with compression socks because you can never go wrong with those!
If you'd like to get a bit of a more thoughtful gift, get a personalized water bottle. A water bottle is one of the best fitness gifts because everyone needs one, but getting it personalized makes it that much more special!
This fitness journal is another great way to add a personal touch to your gifts for athlete friend. Here, they can document their fitness journey like their workouts, diet, sleep, personal bests, and whatever else they want to track along the way.
Motivational quotes are the perfect present if you want something meaningful that will keep any athlete motivated. They can put this up in their room, above their desk, or their home gym!
This might seem like a random gift but it's the BEST gift idea for any sports lover. These lights stick to the back of your TV and reflect the colors on the screen, so it really levels up the experience of watching any sports game. I have them and seriously love them!
FITNESS GIFTS FOR GIRLS:
A new reusable water bottle is always useful. I have this same glass water bottle and I love it! It's the perfect size to throw in a bag and carry around with you.
These are the cutest weights to add to any girl’s fitness routine!
Women’s workout sets from Amazon are seriously the best. They’re affordable and always so comfy, in my experience!!
Having this bag alone would motivate me to go to the gym more, hahah. These BEIS bags are so cute and have amazing reviews for how high quality they are!!
Biker shorts are the perfect workout attire because you won’t get too hot in them and they’re really comfy and easy to move around in. Ladies can never have too many of these!
These are some of the cutest resistance bands on the market. Bonus points because they won’t roll up on your legs like the rubber ones sometimes do, so they’re a lot more comfortable!
Both a fashion statement and an item of convenience. What more could you want?!
Exercise dresses aren’t everyone’s style, but for the right person, they’re the best gift ever. So cute and functional at the same time!
FITNESS GIFTS FOR GUYS:
I don’t know a single guy athlete who doesn’t have these dry fit t-shirts. Moisture-wicking fabric like this really makes a workout so much more comfortable.
And any guy could always use more of these!
These look like the comfiest hoodies ever! Any guy athlete will love a hoodie like this to lounge around in.
I don’t know a single guy who wouldn’t be happy with a brand new Nike windbreaker as a gift!
Every guy needs joggers, and having dry fit joggers is especially a good gift idea for guys who love to run or wear athleisure in colder weather.
Guys need to be pampered, too. This gym cosmetics kit is the best compact kit for him to bring to the gym and get ready for the day after his workout!
A nice gym bag makes a big difference! You can personalize this gym bag with his name, and it comes in a bunch of different colors so you can get him exactly what he would want, too.
