Written by Tyler DiGiovanni | BSBM
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The holiday season is fast approaching, and you might be scratching your head about what to get for your fitness-obsessed loved one. That's where we come in. Whether you have someone who is trying to build a home gym, a rower who can't wait for the cold weather to be over, or just someone trying to keep track of their basic health, we've made a list of some of the best fitness gifts you can buy. As an added bonus, they're all on Amazon, so you can make use of that Prime subscription.
Home Gym Equipment
Building a home gym can be as easy as getting a set of dumbbells, all the way up creating a designated space with enough equipment to make your local Planet Fitness jealous. Whichever end of the spectrum your gift receiver is on, we've got great choices below.
Adjustable Dumbbells
Taking the benefits of a wall of dumbbells and shrinking it down to one convenient package makes having a set of adjustable dumbbells at home a no-brainer. Unless you're buying a gift for a powerlifter who picks up small cars for fun, these dumbbells will cover most people's lifting needs. The best part? They barely take up any room, making them perfect for any type of living/workout space.
Bowflex Selectech 1090 Dumbbells
Having tried out several different brands of adjustable dumbbells, these were my favorite. Without bashing other brands, regardless of their boxy design, these felt the most comfortable in my hands, no matter what weight was selected. Ranging in weight from 10lbs up to 90lbs, these dumbbells had enough weight for my entire workout.
The weights are adjustable in 5lb increments, which, as you know, makes a big difference. Going from 25lbs to 35lbs on lateral raises feels like an impossible task rather than moving to 30lb-ers. Along with the dumbbells, you'll also get a 2-month trial of Bowflex's JRNY membership, which includes trainer-led workouts as well as adaptive workouts that assess your progress and recommend workouts based on the results.
Also, a stand is included, which, after having to grab and adjust the dumbbells on the ground, is a huge benefit.
Cardio Equipment
For people who like to stay active in their lives, you can get a piece of their preferred equipment to use at home. While there used to be only a few brands that were high-quality but with a hefty price tag (not naming names on this one), thankfully, there are several other options. Now, some of these options do tend to lean towards the more expensive side; that's because they last and are dependable. Don't expect to find a cheap $50 treadmill on here that will break coming out of the box.
Hydrow Pro Rowing Machine
Ok, I'll tell you straight up that you will need a subscription for this machine, and it's not cheap. But $44 a month will get you access to over 5,000 workouts that cater to all fitness levels and will take you to beautiful locations around the world on the 22" screen. I was skeptical about this machine until I actually got one, and now I make it a priority to use it several times a week. The seat travel is butter smooth, and the adjustable drag lets you dial in about as close as you're going to get to rowing on the water. I have a friend who tried this rower out, and he said it blew away the cheapy one he bought on Amazon. It's a high investment, but anyone who likes rowing will absolutely love this machine.
Peloton Exercise Bike
There are alternatives out there, but Peloton is still the best in the game in terms of what they do. Someone who isn't interested in the subscription and classes could get by with a Yosuda, but the quality isn't even close. Another $44 a month subscription cost, but ask anyone who has a Peloton if they think it's worth it. You already know the answer.
NordicTrack T-Series Treadmill
With prices ranging from $600-$1,300, there is a treadmill for everyone. I have a 6.5S, and I absolutely love it. I'm a big guy, and it has no trouble with my close to 300lb frame on it. The 6.5S and above models are able to hit a 10% incline for an extra challenge. All of the models come with a 10-year frame warranty and a 1-2 year motor warranty (depending on the model). As someone with not-so-great knees after 13 years of football, walking on one of these makes doing cardio almost enjoyable. Almost.
Wearables
So, granted the previous section is all high-ticket items, so what about something for someone who's home gym is already packed? Wearables have been one of the best ways to keep track of your fitness metrics and even better, they're a lot easier to wrap than a rower.
WHOOP
WHOOP is something you might not be familiar with yet, but you should be. If whoever you are buying for is interested in optimizing their recovery and performance. WHOOP measures heart rate, resting heart rate, heart rate variability, respiratory rate, skin temperature, blood oxygen levels, daily activity, and sleep, kicking each of those metrics to the WHOOP app. For first-time users, you can get the band, along with a 12-month subscription for $239. Not too shabby if you're curious about how your body is performing on a daily basis.
Oura Ring
An even smaller way to help track fitness metrics, the Oura ring shines when it comes to tracking sleep quality, and with the newest Gen 4, you can monitor signs of stress, your "readiness" (when you should take it easy and when you're good to go), your daily activities, and heart health. Buyer beware: they are sized a little differently than standard rings, so using their official sizing rings might be hard to use on the gift receiver without you tipping your hand. That being said, Oura can make a huge difference in tracking quality of life while looking stylish at the same time.
Polar H10 Heart Rate Monitor
Sometimes you need to get back to basics, and the Polar H10 does that the best. Trusted and supported by countless brands, the Polar heart rate monitor syncs up to most smart watches, fitness apps, and cardio equipment. What better way to keep track of your heart rate than having something right next to it? While it may not be fancy, it's reliable and it will last.
Posture Bathroom Scale
Ok, fine. It's not technically wearable. This scale not only takes your weight (like a scale should), but it also gives instant feedback on BMI, subcutaneous fat, muscle mass, and more. While the extra metrics aren't necessarily needed, you have to admit that having 13 different body metrics is a great way to know what's going on with body composition. The information is sent to your phone on the Fitdays app, which can also be synced up with other health apps.
Here's a bonus pick, that doesn't involve Amazon, but you can get it personalized for your gift receiver...
Prepare to maximize your gains with our exclusive 12-week hypertrophy training program. Choose between a 4 or 5 day training split and gain 2-12 pounds of muscle over 90 days...
Wrap-Up
There you have it. Eight great gifts (and a bonus) that would make any fitness lover happy. Some helpful suggestions before purchasing anything: measure before ordering any large pieces of cardio equipment; getting a large piece of equipment just to find out it doesn't fit is the worst. You might be tempted to buy the oddly named cheap Chinese version of everything on this list, but 9/10 times, you're going to be disappointed with the result, so the extra cash is worth it in the end. Happy shopping!
Tyler DiGiovanni
Author