40 Fitness Items That Any Active Person Will Love

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Picking up some new fitness gear is one of the best ways to breathe new life into a workout regimen—or end a months-long hiatus. (Of course, sometimes you just need a new workout. For a fitness program that will bust through any plateau, try THE 21-DAY METASHRED from Men’s Health!)

Whether you’re looking to delight your fittest family member or ramp up your own efforts in the gym, you’ll find more than a few things on this list to get the job done.

And if you’re already on a roll with your workouts, consider this the time to reward yourself for your efforts. Go on, you’ve earned it.

GREAT GIFTS that fall under the fitness category have to perform. Whether you lace them up, consume them, or use them to recover after a big workout, fitness gifts must stand tall and deliver.

We know that fitness doesn’t stop at the gym. Fitness extends to the home garage, city park, and trail and incorporates any number of worthwhile physical activities, from weight-lifting and rowing to running and cross-training. Which is why the best fitness gifts for men have to be versatile and functional.

We’ve put together a list that speaks to all kinds of fitness folks, from newbies trying out a fresh gym membership to diehards looking to take their strength and conditioning program to new heights.

These gifts appeal to all ages and work to accommodate popular sub-categories too, like fitness fans who also love music or fitness fans who are particularly drawn to yoga.

What made the list? Well, proven fitness items that work as hard as you do. For example, a sophisticated and stylish ring that’s also a health tracker and a recovery towel that will cool you to the core. We even have fitness apps and memberships that can heighten routines and make bodies achieve even more.

Here they are, the best fitness gifts for 2023.

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TERREX Trail Running Wind Jacket

An exceptional gift for the trail runner or outdoorsman, this wind jacket is water repellent and folds into its own pocket. It’ll cut through the breeze and keep rain away while offering a nice, streamlined fit.

Pod Cover

Great sleep is all about personalized climate and an optimal, restful environment. The Pod cover virtually guarantees that, tackling climate and working around the sleep schedule you help program. Whether you like the chilly, camping-like feel or a warm environment for maximum Zzz’s, this gadget is ready to help.

Fenix 7S Sapphire Solar Smartwatch

This fitness smartwatch is ready for the adventurous lifestyle, set up with solar charing capabilities and an earthy band. It’ll track your health, coach you through hikes and trail runs while offering superior navigation technology and all your favorite music for on-the-go inspiration.

Ballistic Trainers

If backyard training is the name of your game, these are your go-to shoes. They’re agile while tough, built for everything from strength training in your driveway to cross-fit and mobility training in your yard. They’ll complement the outdoor workout experience with superior comfort and are extremely durable.

4.0 with 12 Month Subscription

Fitness trackers should be as comfortable as a good pair of running shoes or your favorite hoodie. WHOOP is all about comfort, while setting you up with all the necessary fitness info to maximize your routine. The health monitoring is nice but we especially like its keen ability to guide you towards better recovery and sleep.

Men’s Metcon 9 Training Shoes

The ultimate kicks for the cross-training guru, these workout sneakers are made of mesh and made to dart, dash, and pivot all over the place. They breathe and offer plenty of supper while the wrap-around rubber sash adds a cool accent and strengthens the midsole.

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Men's Metcon 9 Training Shoes

dickssportinggoods.com

$149.99

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NÜOBELL 80LB Adjustable Dumbbell

The Nuobell strikes the perfect balance between dependable performance and an authentic dumbbell experience. Consider these a level up from lower price-point adjustable models. Despite a couple of minor scratches, they have demonstrated remarkable durability even with consistent heavy usage, too.

AD7 Airdyne Bike

As with a lot of home gym equipment, you often get what you pay for. Case in point: This flagship exercise bike from Schwinn Fitness. The AD7 Airdyne stands out with a wind-resistance setup that offers a full-body cardio workout, and when seated, the extra-padded, oversized seat makes for a comfy ride.

Essential Protein

Plant-based protein is an excellent way to go to beef up while staying free from animal products like dairy-derived whey. This tasty option packs 50 total servings of 20 grams a piece and even helps with muscle recovery and bone health.

Fast and Free Men’s Run Hat

Designed with the runner in mind, this running hat includes a built-in headband for sweat absorption and a flexible build. The bill keeps the glare at bay while the reflective details are nice for being seen when the workout happens before the sun comes out (or after it goes down).

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Fast and Free Men's Run Hat

lululemon.com

$38.00

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Luka Duffel

This overachieving duffel is extremely lightweight and comes with nine pockets. Great for gym, work or travel, the bag has a separate compartment for shoes and sweaty gear. Plus, the padded aesthetic is incredibly on-trend.

Cloudmonster

You can obtain a great running shoe without having to refinance your house. Shocker, we know. This pair is propulsive, with great response and comfort and a lasting design that can handle the abuse of the pavement.

Infrared Sauna Blanket

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 helps the body recharge fully and efficiently.

City Sweat Jogger

These joggers are so comfortable you’ll have to have them forcibly removed when it’s finally time to give them a wash. The terry fabric is soft and stretchy and the tapered fit is sharp enough you could almost pull them off at a work meeting (especially if it’s virtual). They’re also available in 3 lengths, meaning you can choose one tailor-made for anyone in your life.

SelectTech 1090 Dumbbells

Great home gym gear needs to be versatile as you only have so much space to work with and, sometimes, that space is reserved for other things when the fitness session is over. These adjustable dumbbells are ideal for at-home use, offering 10-90 pounds per dumbbell, great holders, and tremendous ease of use.

Primal Kettlebells

Who says a kettlebell can’t have a little attitude? These animalistic ones bring a little fun to the workout and are a bit of a collectors item, with different critters set to different weights. Work your way up from the 18-pound howler to the 90-pound Bigfoot.

G-VEST+

Your workout is only as good as the tools and equipment used in it. 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 core workout. It’s one of our all-time favorites, as mentioned in our 2023 Home Gym Awards.

Element Baselayer Leggings

You might’ve seen this brand plastered all over the internet, and for good reason. These leggings, which we found to be the perfect base layer, look and feel great for any running or strength training workout. The fabric maintains its stretch and soft integrity even after dozens of washes, so you can trust this gift will go the distance.

Metro IQ® Reformer

If there’s a pilates lover in your life, this is the perfect gift. It’s a smooth operator, with scores of workout options and the ability to stow neatly when not in use. Highly effective, the Reformer is made to increase strength, balance, agility and more. Plus, it’s just plain fun to use.

Theragun mini

The smallest tool in the Theragun arsenal, the mini massage gun packs a serious massage in a slight frame. Easy to hold, it offers three various speeds as well as a trio of attachments to best match pain or soreness areas. The battery life is also killer, offering the same 150-minute capacity as full-sized models.

Uplifting Yoga Block Duo

Build a better yoga session with this block duo. It’s a great tool for perfecting certain poses and increasing your flexibility and balance. They’re soft to the touch but firm enough to withstand the weight and pressure of a strenuous yoga session.

Alo Moves Subscription

Gift the instruction without making them leave their house with this vast subscription. There’s a class for every level of fitness, spanning the gamut from mindfulness to yoga. It’s a gift that literally keeps on giving, at least from a mental and physical health standpoint.

Rambler 35 oz Mug

Make drinking water all the easier and more enjoyable with this standout mug from Yeti. The straw is reusable, the lid is secure, and the double-wall of insulation will keep that H20 plenty cold for plenty of time.

Premium Large Exercise Mat

We might get older but our childish urge to tumble never really goes away. Set up your workout space right with this padded exercise mat, great for yoga, stretches, weight training, gymnastics, dancing, or just a good old fashioned tumble. It’s ideal for any home workout do-er, but especially those bigger guys who can never seem to fit all their limbs on a standard-size mat.

Heritage

A ring that does it all, the Oura delivers intelligent fitness and health tracking info to the wearer in useful ways. It’s a great and fairly discreet (and stylish even) way to monitor your vitals and foster better fitness routines. Great for those who won’t sport an obtrusive wrist-wearable, even better for those who want to don a second health tracking device to cross-reference data from their smartwatch.

Read more: Oura Ring Review

Crusher Evo Over-Ear Wireless Headphones

Great for the active soul who loves to go to the gym but maybe doesn’t love the gym’s playlist, these workout headphones are here to help. They fit great, standing up to all the movement of a good workout while offering some top-grade acoustics. That’s enough to pump anybody up.

Hypervolt Go 2

Recover efficiently with this clever device. While it looks like a hair dryer, the Go 2 tackles tightness and sore muscles with a hyper-percussion, extremely soothing massage.

Active Recovery Shoe

With a sporty build and maximum breathability, these recovery shoes from Kane are extraordinary. Think Crocs but built for the athlete, with a textured insole to activate pressure points and maximum ventilation. They’re comfy, easy to throw on, and especially great for water adventures. We love these for runners who need to show their feet and legs a little TLC after training.

Core Hooded Runner

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.

Banks Short 5″

We love these gym shorts for a variety of worthy reasons. One, they take on odor and dry in a flash. Two, they offer sun protection and stretch for days. Three, the fit is great and the look is fantastic.

CloudKnit Shortsleeve

As the brand says, no clouds were harmed during the creation of this workout shirt, but it’s hard to believe. It really does feel sent from the heavens, unbelievably soft, with a classic casual fit and just about zero weight. That’s the makings of a stellar fitness shirt.

Whey Protein Powder

Great for fitness folks looking to bulk up, this protein powder comes in six flavors and includes 25 grams of protein per serving. It’s made from milk via grass-fed cows and is surprisingly smooth. There’s even an unflavored option for those who want to add the flavor themselves or mix it into a homemade creation without tainting its flavor.

Essential for Men Multivitamin 18+

A good diet is key to any fitness routine but it’s not always easy to pull off. Though second to a nutritious diet, a good supplement can help some, delivering those vitamins and minerals you may not always remember to get out your meals and snacks. This multivitamin is great, packing what you need most into a single capsule.

Original Portable Home Gym Resistance Bands

Think of the Gorilla Bow as a hybrid tool that combines the benefits of resistance bands with a bow-style bar, which allows for a lot more versatility than a resistance band alone. The unique bow design accommodates up to 300 pounds of resistance (just to start, you can get heavier models) that you can use to target just about every muscle group. The bow itself is made out of aircraft aluminum while the resistance bands are double-wall latex, resulting in a durable, lightweight, and portable build.

UMAY Under Desk Treadmill

Fortunately, fitness is something one can do while doing something else, just as the multi-tasker. This treadmill is great for those always juggling several things at once, set up with a remote control and a way to get your steps in while having a work call or weeding through some emails.

Cooling Towel

It’s hot out there. And even when it’s not—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.

ProsourceFit Acupressure Mat and Pillow Set

Fitness people know about getting banged up and being sore, it goes with the territory. But we don’t have to lug that pain around. Treat it with this quality acupressure mat and pillow set, great for aches and pains and keeping energy levels high.

Men’s MacroPillow Tab Running Sock

Ah, the sock, the oft-overlooked key to a great run. These running socks are built for the joggers of the world, offering great support and the layer you need between your feet and your favorite running shoes. They cushion and cradle in equal parts, making the run all the more comfortable.

Shop Now

Men's MacroPillow Tab Running Sock

lululemon.com

$58.00

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OG Polarized Sunglasses

A polarized and sporty pair of shades for less than $30? Nope, it’s not 1990, it’s just a really good deal. We love these sunglasses, offering a snug fit and protecting from both scratches and saltwater.

Fast and Free Running Armband

Hands-free running is the only way to fly but it’s nice to have your device on board. Enter the runner’s sleeve, great for storing your smartphone so you can glide through the streets listening to your favorite playlist. This one from Lululemon is one of the most secure and comfortable we’ve ever tried. Best, it’s reflective, so you’ll be seen and therefore safer.

Clifton 9

Full of bounce and verve, these stylish runners from Hoka are great. There are scores of color choices, the design is award-winning, and your feet will love the company of unrivaled cushion and solid heel support. From pro ultrarunners to occasional joggers, this shoe is one of the most widely loved models on the market right now.

ADV SKIN 12 Unisex Running Vest

This running vest for him or her caters to the long-distance type. Set up with a pair of hydration flasks, it allows the wearer to water up with ease while training for that substantial race. It’s aerodynamic and slim, meaning it won’t weight you down.

Hydrow Wave Rower

Bring the aquatic rowing experience to your garage or home gym with the Wave Rower. You get water workouts conducted by pros and Olympians as well as Bluetooth connectivity and health tracking info. The machine stores some 4,000 workouts, covering everything from rowing to circuit training and yoga.

The Edge Tub Elite

Bring the fitness tool the pros use home with this state-of-the-art tub. It cools and heats, spanning 37 degrees to 105 degrees and sets up in a mere 15 minutes. You can control the tub remotely with your smart phone and treat your body to some serious muscle recovery with every dip.

Read more: Best Ice Bath Tubs

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