I’m a Fitness Editor and a Dad—Here Are 30+ Fitness Gifts for the Active Guy in Your Life

Given its water-repellent fabric that dries in seconds, it’s a great bag to carry during rainy and snowy commutes. When this bag is not in use for the gym, it comes in handy for impromptu overnight stays and road trips—no need to dig out a full suitcase. One thing to know about this gym backpack is that its shoulder straps are very tough, and made with nylon and elastane, which will not tear or fray a bit.

Read More: Best Gym Backpacks

I’ve been using the Bowflex SelectTech 552 Results Series dumbbells since they were first released a few months ago, and have been suitably impressed. The newly-redesigned adjustable dumbbells fit in any training setting, whether it is in your garage, basement, or even in the living room. With the ability to change weight from 5 lbs to 52.5 lbs, you can save someone a lot of space and earn them a lot of gains by gifting these.

Read more: Best Adjustable Dumbbells, Tested by Us

Not everybody has room or the resources to put a real infrared sauna in their house, and going at the gym can be tedious despite all the great benefits. HigherDose found a solve for this problem. A sauna in the form of a sleeping bag, this is the ultimate gift for the fitness person who loves a deep relaxation session in between physical activities. This infrared sauna blanket soothes, is great for your skin, and gives you a space to decompress.

The smallest tool in the Theragun arsenal, the mini massage gun packs a serious massage in a slight frame. It offers three speeds, a trio of attachments, and the battery life is also killer, offering the same 150-minute capacity as full-sized models. We’ve tested this nifty gadget over and over again, traveling with it all over the world.

This high-functioning weighted vest distributes weight evenly and is great to throw on before a strength and conditioning set or just some added resistance as you knock out a bodyweight workout. It’s one of our all-time favorites, combining function and efficiency.

Buying weights for your home can get expensive, and not everybody needs the fanciest gear. I am very impressed with this set from Feierdun, which arrive to your doorstep in a neat little box. The assembly is very easy, and anyone can do it. The weights tighten up solidly and the rubber won’t damage your floors. I found the dumbbell and kettlebell set-ups to be the best for this set, while the barbell is fine for beginners, I’d recommend buying an actual barbell. The 22.5-lb option here is a decent place to start, but for just a little more you can get up to 45-lbs per dumbbell.

If you’re looking to gift a space-saving piece of home gym tech that allows you to do foundational lifting movements like bench presses, squats, and deadlifts, that looks good in any space, here’s your pick. Speediance functions like a powerful cable machine, perfect for chest flys and tri-cep pulldowns.

Looking for a great stocking stuffer for your fitness-minded friend or family? Or perhaps yourself? This sleek-looking rope is the perfect piece of gear to wrap easily or throw into a bag. The workout with a jump rope can be fun and incredibly effective. You can’t go wrong with this piece, which is simple and durable.

Read More: Best Jump Ropes

The OpenRun Pro 2s are comfortable, durable, and the open-ear design makes them one of the safest models for outdoor running. Sure, there are compromises—the headphones can’t overcome the limitations of physics. But there’s a lot to like if you prioritize safety and comfort above all else. There’s a reason that we named these headphones in Best Marathon Gear guide and they were featured in our Men’s Health Fitness Awards this year. Plus, we think they’re they’re the best headphones for running—yes, more so than the AirPods Pro 2.

Read More: Best Bone Conduction Headphones

The Nike Vomero has long been considered one of the ultimate comfort shoes for runners, and the Vomero 18 does not deviate from that lineage. Laced up, you immediately recognize that this is a tall shoe with a noticeable 46 mm stack height in the heel and a 10-mm drop into the 36 mm forefoot. Like a few of Nike’s newer editions, the Vomero 18s feature a combination of foams to provide both energy return and comfort. The top layer is a PEBA ZoomX foam (which is indicated by the big “ZOOMX” on the side of the heel) and the bottom layer is the ReactX foam. All things considered, this running shoe does have some heft to it, but once you get moving, you hardly even notice it.

This is one of those small pieces of gear that’s a game-changer, yet many don’t have anything like it. This timer allows you to calibrate your training sets and rests, helping you keep good pace. Being able to use this, clipped to your clothes, instead of your phone keeps you focused and dialed in, so that you can make the most of your gym time.

These recovery shoes are much more stylish than other options on the market, and they were created in collaboration with a sports podiatrist. Coming from a running shoe mold, they also make fantastic travel shoes or leisure shoes that you can get wet. The excellent breathability makes them that much more comfortable after a sweaty workout or run.

Read More: Best Recovery Shoes

Part of a great workout involves feeling good during it. That’s an easy thing to knock out with this exceptionally cozy hoodie from Alo Yoga. The jersey-like fit is sharp and ideal for moving in unison with the body. It’s also comfortable enough to rock outside of the gym as well.

Don’t just have one favorite fitness shirt when you can have one for every day of the week. This bargain bundle of crew neck tees is ideal, as they dry quickly and feel great even in the throes of a cross-training session or long jog. Those who train know that people who workout go through clothes quickly, and you can never have enough shirts for the gym.

Between the smooth mechanics, ergonomic handlebar, comfortable seat, and endless amount of premium content, Aviron’s Strong Rower is a machine that will help anyone keep up the practice. This and its reasonable price point given all the tech earned it a spot on our Best Rowing Machines guide.

Read more: Best Rowing Machines, Tested by Us

Featuring a vibrant 1.2-inch AMOLED display and comprehensive training metrics in a fiber-reinforced polymer case, it’s for serious runners who want detailed performance data without compromising. This watch does have some heft and is a formidable size, however, the weeks-long battery life and extensive training features more than compensate. Its detailed training insights and ability to track subjective factors like how runs felt and even the gear used are second to none. Not too expensive, but with a great set of features that will make any guy happy.

Read More: Best Garmin Watches

Our style and fitness Editors at Men’s Health are no strangers to Vuori’s Sunday Performance Jogger: We’ve been wearing the pants to our workout sessions at the gym, morning jogs in the park, daily errand running, or just as part of our everyday casual outfits since 2020. As a result, not only did we find it to be one of the best workout clothes out there, but we also think it’s arguably the hands-down best jogger in the market right now. If you’re gifting them, he will surely love them equally.

Row whenever you want to with this sleek rowing machine. You get on-demand water workouts with pros, and the sensation is about as good as the real thing (minus the sometimes foul weather). The design is extremely ergonomic and tilts up easily using the wheels so that space is saved when the rower is not being used.

The blenders from Nutribullet are a game changer and have been for years. This new model is a strong upgrade from previous versions, which means that no matter what your friends or family have, this is a level up. For people who don’t have a smoothie maker in their life, you will be giving them the gift of healthy, fresh smoothies made in minutes.

Read More: Best Portable Blenders

One of our top-rated smart scales, this premium pick dives way deeper than most. One of our favorite features is the ECG reading. It shines in terms of reliability and accuracy, with weight readings including percentages of body fat and water. Add in one of the more stylish designs and you have yourself the total package. Plus, it syncs seamlessly with apps like Apple Health and Google Fit. Yes, the price is an investment, but as they say, health is wealth, so gift the ultimate scale.

Strength training sounds expensive. What, with the many gadgets and towering machines at play. Turns out, you can get a killer workout in without breaking the bank through this suspension training system. The resistance levels can be fine-tuned and the user can target just about all of the muscle groups.

Be good to your heart. Here’s a great gift for the fitness figure who likes to go hard, within reason. Compatible with a numberof workout devices, including Garmin watches of course, the strap is comfortable and offers important data for endurance go-getters especially. There’s a reason we included this one in our best heart rate monitors guide.

These dumbbells look great, change weight easily, and are made with premium materials that can take more of a beating than their competition. Because of their locking system, you are able to buy additional plates to increase your max weight, which is great once you increasing those PRs.

Read more: Best Adjustable Dumbbells, Tested by Us

In this day and age of too much technology, this trusty and durable journal makes for a great way to keep track of your training and bring yourself into the moment. As a gift, you can’t do much better in regards to value, both monetarily and spiritually. This is a way for people to keep their mind in the workout.

Maybe we’re biased, but we think our MVP Premium Membership is a total slum dunk for any fitness lover or beginner. With unlimited access to Men’s Health digital content and a weekly newsletter loaded with exclusive tips on fitness, nutrition, and mental health, they’ll stay ahead of the game. Plus, they get access to fitness challenges, nutrition plans, a print magazine subscription, AND, most importantly, a library of 450+ streaming workout classes on the All Out Studio app. This is the gift that keeps on giving.

Here’s a great gift for the pickleball enthusiast and newbie alike. Simply put, these paddles handle like a charm, with an ergonomic handles and a composite hitting surface that strikes hard while feeling soft on the hands. The travel bag included makes this a set that can be taken on the road for fitness and fun.

Read More: Best Pickleball Paddles

These workout sneakers are the ultimate shoes for your next WOD, offering a strong platform for heavy-weight moves like deadlifts and squats, and just enough flexibility to get through box jumps and a quick sprint, too.

A good kettlebell is accessible, with a great grip area and the durability to outlast even the most intense workout sessions. This one does that and more, 25-pounds of goodness that won’t corrode and can be held easily with one or two hands.

Read More: Best Kettlebells

Recover efficiently with this clever device. While it looks like a hair dryer, the Go 3 tackles tightness and sore muscles with a hyper-percussion, extremely soothing massage. This updated version of the Hypervolt is even lighter, making it perfect for recovery on the go.

Even when it’s not summer—in an air-conditioned gym or during the colder months —everyone heats up while working out. These cooling towels offer instant satisfaction and can dial down the core thermometer, meaning no overheating and a quality refresh.

Set up your workout space right with this padded exercise mat, ideal for yoga, stretches, weight training, and anything else you can think of. It’s massive compared to a standard yoga mat, meaning it’s great for any home workout do-er. We also love that it’s truly grippy, unlike most yoga mats that turn into a slip-and-slide when sweat starts dripping.

If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly recovery gift than a massage gun, nothing beats a trusty foam roller. I mean, sure, recovery gear’s gotten all fancy in recent years, but this humble little roller is as functional as it gets. We love that this one is just $40 and is compact enough for easy storage but large enough to use on larger muscle groups like the back and glutes.

Read More: Best Foam Rollers