Give the Athlete in Your Life the Perfect Gift This Holiday Season: 7 Christmas Gifts for Athletes and Fitness-Obsessed Individuals

The usual excitement and dread are probably creeping in as the holiday season approaches. What gift can you buy for people that won't only be used once and discarded forever? What is the right balance between thoughtful and practical? What can you get someone that they probably wouldn't buy themselves? These questions are valid and finding the right thing can be difficult. Whether you're searching for Christmas gifts for athletes, gifts for athletes to battle post-workout DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness), or even considering Valentine's Day gifts for runners, this guide has got you covered. We'll explore seven fantastic gift ideas that strike the perfect balance between thoughtful and practical.

High-Quality Athletic Apparel

One of the best Christmas gifts for athletes is high quality athletic apparel. It's widely known in the fitness world that you can never have enough workout clothes! Whether you want to reduce how often you need to do laundry or need newer workout gear to feel good in the gym or on your runs, apparel is always well-received. When shopping for workout clothes for other people, look for moisture-wicking fabrics, breathable materials, and comfortable designs. Don't try and get it too fitted or tight, and stick to solid colours without loud patterns (unless you know they would like that!) Brands like Nike, Lululemon, and Under Armour offer various workout gear essentials, including shirts, leggings, shorts, hoodies and other accessories. Opt for nice-looking and functional pieces to boost their confidence and performance during workouts, making them perfect gifts for athletes.

Wireless Earbuds

Think about it: how often are you at a gym and someone isn't wearing headphones? Music is a powerful motivator during workouts. Not only that but this present can also be used outside the gym! Wireless earbuds, such as Apple Air Pods or Sony WF-1000XM4, provide excellent sound quality and freedom of movement. They are perfect for runners, gym-goers, and anyone who likes to listen to music, podcasts, or audiobooks while exercising. Noise-cancelling features can help them focus and stay in the zone during intense training sessions. If you want to stand out this holiday season, look for outer ear headphones that are supposed to be a safer alternative for runners. Shockz offers a good selection of these at affordable pricing!

Fitness Tracker or Smartwatch

If you need to know how many calories you've burned or can't share your workout activity on your favourite app, is there any point to working out? We joke, of course, but a fitness tracker or smartwatch is a fantastic Christmas gift for athletes and fitness enthusiasts. Fitbit, Apple Watch, or Garmin offer heart rate monitoring, GPS tracking, sleep analysis, and various workout modes. These devices help track progress and offer insights into fitness levels and overall health, making them thoughtful gifts for athletes who want to monitor their performance. The world is becoming more analytical by the day and giving the gift of being able to track important biometrics will make their life a lot easier!

Foam Rollers and Massage Tools

Recovery is a crucial aspect of any fitness routine that often gets overlooked because gyms rarely have this equipment available after a workout. Foam rollers, massage sticks, and massage balls are all the rage and are excellent tools for self-myofascial release, helping to alleviate muscle soreness and improve flexibility. Consider a high-density foam roller or a massage gun with magnesium lotion to target specific muscle groups, providing relief after intense workouts. While it is not the most glamorous gift idea, the athlete in your life will undoubtedly thank you for it as these tools make perfect gifts for DOMS in athletes who want to recover quickly from it and perform at their best. The best part? This category has many gifts under $75 so you can stand out, while not breaking the bank!

Recovery Based Body Care

We've all been there before. There is one present left under the tree from a brother or sister, cousin or uncle, and as we go to open it, we realize that it's the fabled body wash and deodorant set, panic bought from the local CVS, Walgreens, Shoppers or gas station! While it can be an anti-climax, this product is ALWAYS used, never thrown out and saves us going to buy our own, which is an excellent relief in January.

With that said, if you want to gift a practical solution to an athlete, why not make it fitness-specific? 1Hour-After offers a range of time-based body care products designed to be used in the hour after you workout. The scientifically formulated products contain several ingredients (vitamins, minerals & nutrients) lost through sweat to replenish, rehydrate and refuel the body after a workout. Using magnesium, menthol, amino acids, zinc, proteins and vitamins in these body care products means that they do so much more than cleanse the body. If you are looking for Christmas gifts for athletes, Valentine's Day gifts for runners, or gifts for DOMS, a 1Hour-After’s Active Recovery Set is a great choice. This body care bundle is not just a product, but a gift of recovery that they will appreciate.

Cookbooks for Healthy Eating

You know what happens after the holiday season? Resolutions! "I'm going to workout more", "I'm going to cook more", "I'm going to eat healthier" – you know the drill! Nutrition is a critical component of fitness; the issue is many people don't know more than a handful of recipes, and the repetitiveness can get boring. Cookbooks filled with healthy recipes can make fantastic gifts for athletes and inspire them to prepare nutritious and delicious meals at home to help them hit (and stick to) multiple resolutions. Look for cookbooks that focus on high-protein recipes, plant-based diets, or any specific dietary preferences they may have. The right fuel can significantly impact their energy levels and overall well-being while helping them sculpt their body and save money simultaneously! Again, many of the options in this category make great gifts under $75 while remaining thoughtful and practical enough to make an impact.

Fitness Experience Gifts

Lastly, instead of a physical item, consider gifting a fitness experience. This could be a day pass to a rock-climbing gym, tickets to a sports event, or a weekend getaway at a wellness retreat. You could even sign them up for an event you know they would like. Things like tough mudder, spartan race or other obstacle endurance events are great to do alone or with friends and test your physical and mental resolve! Experience-based gifts create lasting memories, allowing them to indulge in their passion uniquely and excitingly.

Conclusion

Finding the perfect Christmas gifts for athletes or Valentine’s day gifts for runners or fitness enthusiast doesn't have to be daunting task. By considering their interests and needs, you can choose a thoughtful and practical gift that enhances the fitness journey. Whether it's premium workout gear, recovery tools, nutritional supplements, or unique fitness experiences, your considerate gesture will undoubtedly make their holiday season in 2024 even more special. Also, this year, give the gift of health, motivation, and inspiration to the fitness lover in your life, and watch them continue to thrive in their active lifestyle.

The Active Set

CAD 105.00