Gift Ideas for the Fitness Enthusiast in Your Life
It’s not a secret that I love giving gifts. I love buying gifts, I love wrapping them, and I love seeing someone excited about something I picked out. I think that every single one of us has felt a gift deadline coming up and had the blank list because NOTHING comes to mind. It’s the worst.
I wanted to make it a little easier for you this year if you are buying a gift for someone who loves fitness!
(If you are that person who loves fitness, help out the people you love and just share this list! Simple and easy!)
I tired to include as many links as I could so you know exactly where to buy it. I encourage you to support local whenever you can, but I know that isn’t always possible. There are crazy amounts of great deals going on so hunt for a promo code before you check out!
1. Wireless Headphones Why you want them: Cords are the worst when you are trying to move without limitation. Get rid of them, and grab a great pair of wireless headphones. I prefer the version without a mic, so it doesn’t pull to one side! Price: $29 Link HERE
2. Unplugged Book by Dr. Andy Galpin
Why you want it: It is so easy to get caught up in technology and disconnect from the internal feedback. This book helps you improve self-awareness and self-reliance. Price: $24 Link HERE
3. Bodydrench Tan Spray
Why you want it: Because tanning beds and cancer are not awesome, but feeling good in your skin is awesome. This is the absolute easiest to apply, no touching required and it doesn’t look orange or streaky at all. It’s my favorite. Price: 3 pack for $23 Link Here
4. Apple Watch Why you want it: Tracking your physical activity may help you stay on course. Reminders to stand up, hit your exercise goal, or drink more water can help provide an extra prompt to get moving! The technology has improved so much! Price: Varies by model, the Series 3 is $329 Link HERE
5. Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee K Cups
Why you want it: Coffee plus the immune boosting power of mushrooms. It doesn’t taste like mushrooms, and it gives you a huge boost of energy! Price: 1 box $19 Link HERE
6. A Deep Tissue or Sports Massage
Why you want it: Recovery is everything. Who doesn’t love a massage? Cupping is more common than it used to be, and it can help increase local blood flow! Price: $50-75
7. A Bosu Ball
Why you want it: It’s fun to mix it up and try something that requires increased balance and stability! Hello core strength!
Price: $100
8. A Really Good Sports Bra Why you want it: Support is crucial to a good workout. Lululemon “Energy” or “Free to be Serene” are my two favorites. Side note- join the sweat collective if you teach fitness and you get a major discount. Price: $52 Link HERE
9. An Audible Subscription
Why you want it: You want to read more, but don’t have extra time, combining a workout and your favorite book can help you multitask and make the best use of your time.
Price: $14.95 a month
Link HERE (Not fitness related but I loved Dr. Brenè Brown's book, Braving the Wilderness recently, that could pair perfectly!)
10. A Full Spa Pedicure
Why you want it: If your athlete is hard on his/her feet, this is an ideal way to rest relax and restore those calloused, sore feet back to a presentable state! Check Yelp for the best rated salon close to you! Price: $30-50
11. A Plyometric Foam Box
Why you want it: Box jumps are phenomenal, but bashing your shin against a wooden or metal box really kills the fun. The foam box is the perfect way to be safe and challenge yourself at the same time! Protip- buy the heavier foam so it doesn’t slide around!
Price: $126
If you don't know what to do with this box, my HIIT the Box program is still on pre-sale right now for $15! Why you want it: Everyone wants legs that look great, that can actually perform!
12. Under Armour Heat Gear Leggings Why you want them: The heat gear leggings are thin, so you can move easily and they don’t slide down. The midnight navy color is my favorite, and they are super on sale right now! Price: On sale for $34
13. Instant Pot
Why you want it: Simplify meal prep and cook in half the time. Sweet potatoes cook in 22 minutes!
Price: On sale for $82
14. Natalie Hodson's CrockPot Cookbook pairs perfectly with this too!
Why you want it: Simple, easy, and so flavorful!
Price: $17
15. Lift Tickets for a Day on the Mountain
Why you want it: Matt gave me a ticket to Sun Valley last year and we had so much fun making memories, while being active together!
Price: Varies widely based on location $40-200
16. Minibands
Why you want it: They pack a huge punch, travel easily, and are relatively inexpensive! Hello glutes.
Price: $10.95
Big Time Splurges!
17. Theragun
Woah buddy, this takes recovery to a whole new level. Targeted vibration therapy to rock your world. Price: $599
18. A Race Entry for his/her bucket list race. A Spartan Trifecta is a great example
19. Splurge on a Concept 2 Rower Price: $ 900.00-1,000.00
20. A Photoshoot with his/her Favorite Photographer
Capture that hard work! (My dream bucket list includes shooting with Kai York, in New York.)
This is Makayla Madden, she lives in Boise, ID and she is phenomenal if you are in the area!
Stocking Stuffers!
Thoughtful Gift Additions (or group a few of them together)
Makeup remover wipes
I love the Equate brand because it doesn’t make me break out, and I get sweaty a lot. They are about $3
Deodorant
I’ve recently switched to an aluminum free version from Native and I really like it. It is about $5
Hair ties
I love the light brown color because it matches my hair. They are about $3
Good socks
I love the Saucony low cut women’s running socks. Ooo, spend a little extra here, these are about $10 and they are worth every penny!
Dry Shampoo
This is a staple for most exercisers. It saves you from washing your hair after every exercise session! Around $10 (the Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo is my favorite).
Kodiak Cakes: Power Cake Mix
It’s just a silly fun addition, because who doesn’t like amazing Kodiak Cakes? Costco has these for about $11 per huge box!
I hope you found some great ideas! Ultimately the best present is physical and emotional presence. Take time to pay attention and be with the ones who mean the most to you.
Take time to say the words out loud. "I love you", "you are special to me", and "I'm so glad you are here" are so simple, but so often we miss our opportunities to say them out loud.
Find excuses to make eye contact. Put down your phone. Hug a little longer (and not in a creepy way, you know what I mean.) Now take one stressful item off your list, take a deep breath, and give a gift that your loved-ones will adore!
My love to you,
Dr. Monique Middlekauff
About the Author
Dr. Monique Middlekauff is a Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist (RCEP) through the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). She has been a certified personal trainer with the NSCA, ACSM, and the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) for over 10 years.
She is a certified Higher Education Teaching Specialist (HETs) and has instructed courses ranging from introductory to graduate level including Kinesiology, Exercise Physiology, Exercise Physiology Lab, Resistance Training, Fitness Foundations, Aging and Exercise, and Skeletal Mechanics.
She is a former NCAA DI volleyball athlete and loves to exercise outdoors. Monique is certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and is an Exercise is Medicine Level 3 credentialed provider. Monique works for a major health system in Idaho.
Her goal is to pursue health and overall wellbeing through evidence-based practice. Physical wellness comes in many forms, and she seeks to celebrate where you are, and challenge you to be better!
