Buying gifts for an avid lifter can seem tricky to those who are aren’t as obsessed with the iron. But fear not, here are some gift ideas for the gym goer in your life that they’re sure to love. Whether they’re a powerlifter, Crossfitter, or general gym rat, you’ll find something that will make their next gym session extra special.
Wireless Gym Headphones
I was resistant to wireless headphones for the longest time. I was worried about having to charge them, whether they would fit, and if I’d just waste a bunch of money on something that I didn’t really need. After all, I already had a pair of wired earbuds I liked (the JVC Marshmallow earbuds might just be the best value headphones out there). They tend to die after 4 to 6 months of usage, but they’re so cheap I never really minded.
And at first, I was afraid I was right. I initially bought the Pasonomi wireless earbuds and they wouldn’t stay secure in my ears… which is pretty important for earbuds I planned to wear while working out. That was a bummer.
I decided to try wireless headphones again and tried out the Senso wireless headphones and I love them. They’re not expensive, they sound pretty good (I’m a little bit of a music snob – they’re a little bass heavy but it’s fine), and they stay in place comfortably. I sweat a ton and they’re still going strong after 3 months of regular use.
And now I don’t have to carry my phone all over the gym as I put plates back or have my phone fall out of my pocket during a lift!
Gym Bag
Another option that is essential and often overlooked is a gym bag. A good gym bag should hold all of a lifter’s gear (shoes, belt, clothes, chalk bag, etc.) while containing any unwanted smells. Separate storage areas and pockets to keep shoes and towels away from smaller items is super helpful.
All of the gym bags below contain an area where workout shoes can be stored separately in a ventilated pouch.
If the person you’re buying the gift for doesn’t already own a gym bag (or if you think they could use an upgrade), this is a great gift idea.
Foam Roller
A foam roller is a very popular recovery tool that just about every athlete has used at least once. Having a foam roller at home can help keep muscles from tightening up on off-days from the gym.
It’s a safe gift idea because there’s very little variation within the foam roller product category: just about everyone uses the same foam roller.
I own the TriggerPoint Grid foam roller and love it, which is why you’ll find this model in most gyms. It is standard density (supports up to 500 lb or 227 kg) and has bumps and grooves on its surface to help massage muscles.
For a foam roller that is very firm (i.e. high density) but has a smooth surface, the Day 1 Fitness foam roller is a great choice (and comes in four different lengths – I prefer the 18″ model).
Users looking for a somewhat softer foam roller may want to check out the medium density foam rollers from ProsourceFit. These are not as commonly used and are for those who need a more accommodating experience.
Chalk
For the lifter that does any barbell lifts (squats, deadlifts, bench press, snatch, or clean & jerk), chalk is pretty much a necessity. It helps the lifter maintain a strong grip on the bar, which is essential for performing a lift in a safe and effective manner. Especially during long, sweaty workouts.
Liquid Chalk
If you aren’t sure whether or not the gift recipient’s gym allows chalk, then liquid chalk is a safe gift idea. It’s much less messy than traditional powdered chalk and virtually every gym allows it. I’ve used Bare Grip liquid chalk and it works great (which I can’t say for all liquid chalk brands). SportMedIQ is also a popular liquid chalk brand.
Powder Chalk
If gym rules against powdered chalk aren’t an issue, then XXXXX is a solid chalk option. The pouch helps keep the chalk relatively contained – just keep it in a large ziploc bag (I keep a gallon sized bag in my gym bag for my chalk) and the lifter will have chalk whenever they need it.
I hope you find a gym gift that the recipient loves.
Happy gifting!
About Kyle Risley
Kyle Risley founded Lift Vault in 2016 to make finding great powerlifting programs easier. Since then, the site has grown to include hundreds of programs for strength, bodybuilding, Olympic weightlifting, and more. He currently lives in Massachusetts and continues to compete in powerlifting.