Looking to buy the perfect gift for the health nut in your life, but unsure what he or she might need? Sure, Fit Bits and Apple Watches are all the rage, but you want to do something different. Something your loved one will open and say, “Shoot, I didn’t even realize I wanted this until now.  You’re the most amazing gift-giver ever! I love you, let’s get married!”

Okay, maybe not that far (especially if your loved one is your brother or sister…ewww), but you know what I mean; if only you could find a gift that your person wasn’t expecting. Something that says, “I put some thought into this.”

Well I’m here for you. Below are 15 ideas that most fit-minded people will love. Some I’ve personally used while others are recommendations from clients I’ve worked with. In some cases I may suggest a specific brand, but when possible I try to generalize the product so you can explore options that fit your needs or budgets.

Please note that I have absolutely no affiliation with any companies mentioned except Life Time Fitness, and get no kick-backs for suggesting them. I may however get a small commission if you use my trainer ID code 232708 in the Life Time Fitness store.

Gift Idea #1: Handheld Massager

This is by far one of my favorite things I own. This is a quiet, light weight, effective handheld massage device with a 3 speed setting and plenty of easily removable attachments for all of your needs. Use this before a lift to get muscles warmed ups, use after to release tension, use it while watching TV. This thing is amazing!! Check it out here: Life Time Fitness Hypervolt

Gift Idea #2: Foam Roller

This is my second favorite piece of equipment I own. I use this daily to foam roll my back and realign my spine, amongst whatever other body part needs some extra love. I have found this TriggerPoint brand to be the best!!! It has a rigid hollow core which allows you to work deeper if you need to. Other rollers that are 100% foam I have found to be too soft. Check out this foam roller here: TriggerPoint Grid Foam Roller.

Gift Idea #3 Resistance Bands

I use these constantly for travel and at home workouts! This is a great gift for the goal digger on the go! #noexcuses. Check these out here: Resistance Band Set.

Gift Idea #4: High Quality Gym Bag

There is nothing worse than having a cheap and flimsy gym bag with a broken zipper that you have only had for a few months. If you gift a SWEET gym duffle you’ll have a BFF for life. I own a BAD bag and have had it for 3 years! It is the first bag I have ever owned that has lasted me more than 9 months and is like new, minus some dirt and sweat here and there. You know what other feature I love, you can carry this hands free like a back pack as well! Check this Duffle out here: Best American Duffle

Gift Idea #5 Post Workout De-Sweating Stuff!

How many of you try to fit in a quick workout on your break or between work and kids activities but want to leave looking and feeling refreshed? Try Yuni shower sheets and dry shampoo! These are my go to products for a quick change post workout! Check out these out here: Yuni Shower Sheets & Clean Freak Dry Shampoo

Gift Idea #6 Nike Metcons

This shoe is my most versatile gym shoe. Super stable for lifting with the right amount of cush for training and light weight. You want to gift a personalized solid shoe to your fit friend that they can can squat in, do box jumps and then move to the stair stepper? This is your shoe. And, on the Nike website, you can personalize the colors and details! How special is that!? Check out this shoe here: Nike Metcon.

Gift Idea #7: Gym Boss Interval Timer

I don’t know about you but while my interval app is running my phone keeps dimming and locking, accessing it is a pain. And, our phones are often tucked away in waist belts, arm bands, or bra straps; so viewing the screen to see how much time has passed isn’t always super convenient. This is where the Gym Boss timer comes in. This little cutie is only 2.25” x 1.75” in size, clips onto a tank top strap or waistband, and beeps and/or vibrates to indicate when your time is up. This is a perfect tool when timing rest between sets: Set the timer for your preferred rest period, push the button when you finish a set, and it will beep or vibrate once your time is up – you never have to look at a thing! It’s also an exceptional tool for high intensity interval training where you can cycle up to 25 time intervals at one time. With their classic model listed at $15.99 and their most expensive at $27.95, this is a great gift that won’t break the bank. Learn more here: Gym Boss

Gift Idea #8: Polar H10 Heart Rate Sensor

For those serious about their exercise performance, the Polar H10 Heart Rate Sensor (chest strap) is a must-have. The H10 offers a blue tooth connection to the Polar Beat app, where the user can view their real-time heart rate (it can also connect to many gyms’ cardio equipment so you can see your heart rate right on the equipment’s interface). It also tracks a person’s entire workout by displaying a graph of the user’s heart rate pattern, the length of the workout, the number of calories burned, and how much of that workout was anaerobic versus aerobic conditioning. While more trendy fitness trackers like the Fit Bit or Apple Watch claim to offer similar information, studies show that wrist-worn heart rate monitors are not nearly as accurate as their chest-strap counterparts (likely because the chest strap is literally tracking at the source – the heart – while wrist-worn versions are not). Check it out at: Polar Heart Rate Chest Strap.

Gift Idea #9: Sexy Leggings

So I know that leggings aren’t exactly an original gift idea, but I stumbled upon Bombshell Sportswear by accident and just had to share. Their leggings are super edgy, and their sports bras, tanks, and hoodies would make any woman feel sexy. That being said, their products are not for the fiscally-conservative; with leggings coming in at around $90 each, this would definitely be a splurge. However, I can’t imagine a single woman who wouldn’t find their active wear reason alone to go to the gym: https://www.bombshellsportswear.com/.

Gift Idea #10: Shoe Ice Cleats

If you know someone who likes to walk or run in the great outdoors, but worries about falling on the snow or ice during the winter season, then shoe ice cleats are the perfect gift. I LOVE mine and couldn’t survive in MN without them! You can wear whatever shoe you prefer as the ice cleats simply stretch over the bottom of their footwear. The bottoms of these cleats come in various traction styles; beads, chains, coils, or spikes – select the version that works best for your area. Even better, most can be found for under $20.00. I use Yaktrax! Check them out here: Yaktrax

Gift Idea #11: Photoshoot Session             

What better way to celebrate someone’s physical transformation than giving him or her the opportunity to have a fitness photo shoot. I have many clients immortalize their hard work with a fitness photo shoot! Whether someone has reached a weight loss goal they are super proud of, or you have a friend or loved one who is getting ready to hit the stage, there’s nothing better than capturing the moment for their great grandkids to see some day. Cost depends on the individual photographer, but expect this to be a bit of a pricier option. Search for “fitness photographer [your city and state]” to find photographers specialized in this style of images near you.

Gift Idea #12: Fitness Supplements Gift Basket

This gift idea takes a little more time and effort on your part, but can be a really great surprise to the lifters in your life. Most men and women serious about fitness likely use various supplements to enhance their progress, but buying these throughout the year can really add up. So imagine how happy your person will be when they receive a gift basket full of some of their favorite nutritional products; protein bars, creatine, BCAAs, protein powder – a gift like this will be appreciated every time they use them. My favorite supplements are non-GMO that are free of artificial sweeteners and dyes. I use Life Time Fitness Supplements (10% off use trainer ID 232708) but I also recommend Natural Stacks and BulletProof supplements!

Gift Idea #13: Annual Membership to a Local CSA/Farm Share

For the health nut who really believes in supporting local business, an annual membership to a CSA (Community-Supported Agriculture) is a gift you can’t ignore. I have done this every year since 2004! By becoming a member of a CSA, your favorite person will receive a weekly bag or box of seasonal fruits, veggies, and in some cases – eggs or meat –from a local farm in their area. It’s like the farmers market coming right to you! Usually CSAs offer different membership options, so cost varies depending on the size of the share. Search for “Farm CSA [your city and state]” to find out what CSAs are available to you.

Gift Idea #14: Subscription to a Shopper Delivery Service or Meal Prep Service

The primary reason people are not compliant with a healthy diet is often related to lack of time. If you know your friend or loved one struggles with this very thing, then gifting an annual membership to a grocery delivery or a meal prep service will help them stay on track!

For grocery delivery services, Instacart or Shipt is a great way to help make life a little easier. Your person can simply shop online at home, place their order, and voila! The groceries come to their door at whatever time they request. Time previously spent grocery shopping can now be dedicated to meal prep. Search for “grocery delivery service [your city]” to find out what options are available in your area.

Meal services are also a SUPER handy way to take the meal planning out of the equation. Meal planning is time consuming! Check out Blueapron.com, hellofresh.com or Originmeals.com for meals delivered right to your fit partners door!

Gift Idea #15: Pre-Paid Personal Training or Nutrition Coaching

If someone in your life needs direction with diet and/or exercise, access to a nutrition/fitness coach is the best gift you can buy. While it’s common to consider this for someone who is just beginning an active lifestyle, personal coaching is also relevant for women who struggle with creating quality meal plans, getting past diet and workout plateaus, or who are looking to compete. Check out my article for tips on how to find the perfect coach, or check out the personal training/nutrition packages I have available both online and in-person.

Do you know of a great gift idea not listed here? Post it below! I’d love to know more or check out last years list here: 10 Gift Idea’s Fitchicks will Love