The best fitness gifts for gym lovers

ClassPass

Some like to workout alone with nothing but their thoughts, music and the tarmac for company. Others are devotees to one particular class: Barry’s perhaps, or their local reformer pilates. Yet others are a little less decisive, and for these people nothing could be more suitable than ClassPass, a subscription that allows them to join almost any class at any gym in their area.

Velobici Gear

Finished with diecast zip pulls and smoothed into a modish interpretation of the ideal performance silhouette, Velobici’s classic Jasper cycling jersey is one for fans of vintage bike races. Designed for the punks and pin-ups of the sport, it's incredibly soft, optimised for airflow and truly beautiful in its design.

Oura Ring

We’ve had smart fitness scales. We’ve had smart fitness watches. Now get ready for a smart fitness ring, courtesy of Oura and its stylish, subtle piece of tech that’s helping you track your vitals in the most convenient way possible.

Mindful Chef

The healthy meal delivery service continues to threaten to replace classic grocery shopping. The means to a protein-heavy, fitness-supplementary diet is now as easy as selecting which meals you’d like to eat each week and waiting as they arrive at your door. A more useful fitness gift we could not invent.

Masterclass

Masterclass isn’t all art, politics and literature (though there is a lot of all that). It’s got plenty of sports and fitness content on there as well. Just a couple of choice examples: Tony Hawk on skateboarding, Lewis Hamilton on having a winning mindset and Serena Williams on tennis.

Clive Tyldesley's axing as one of ITV's football commentators still has us in mourning. Thankfully, you can still get the most out of his uniquely homely style via these handwritten commentary and results charts from significant seasons for the likes of Liverpool, Man United, Chelsea and beyond.

If their ears are secure enough to risk wearing string-free headphones on their daily run then bully for them, but if they’re like the rest of us and can’t risk losing another AirPod under the leg press then something more reliable is in order. Beats Flex, which are designed to sit comfortably on the neck while working out, are our favourite for letting the Pixies listening experience go uninterrupted by intense activities.

Are these the coolest sunglasses in the world? We think they might be… and if your giftee is an enthusiastic cyclist, runner or triathlete, they'll probably also think they're the most useful sport accessory since the anti-chafe gel.

By continuing to evolve, Peloton has made itself the Apple of the fitness world. One of the best-looking exercise bikes on the market, its Bike+ is replete with bells and whistles, most prominent among them the spectacular 360º rotating screen filled with Peloton classes and now, the ability to connect your Kindle.

If they’ve already got a fully kitted-out home gym, instead of fitness kit, gift them this luxury fitness shower oil from ESPA this year. Refreshing and nourishing, ESPA’s fitness shower oil is designed to be relaxing and calming after a workout, exactly what they need after a long session. Drawing on some of the restorative principles of aromatherapy with ingredients such as clove bud oils and eucalyptus, it also takes care of their skin with coconut oil to leave them calm and revived after a post-workout shower.

Withing's latest smart scales do far more than just measure your weight. The Body Comp scales feature the company's most comprehensive body composition tech to date, serving up detailed stats on everything from your weight and water percentage, to muscle mass, bone mass, and more. Plus, there's nutrition tracking, heart health feature and built-in Wi-Fi included too.

If he already has every other water bottle known to man then it's time to get him the very best. Larq’s designs are operating far in the distant future with a self-cleaning system that clears the receptacle of 99.99 per cent of bacteria on an automatic cycle. Sleek and light, there’s also the option of going down the insulated route for 24-hour cold (or warm) liquids. No more scrabbling at the back of the cupboard for an ancient bottle.

Surprised to see an ice-cream maker in a guide to fitness paraphernalia? We would have agreed with you if we hadn't seen — and wholly gotten on board with — the trend of using this kitchen gadget for frozen protein treats. A game-changer for the gym rat who's board of plain old shakes, and a fun toy for when cheat day calls for half a pint of homemade gelato.

Coming in a range of neutrals (including three kinds of blue), Rhone’s 7” running shorts are operating on a higher level than almost every other example of the kit. Sweat and odour resistance are to be expected from a high-end piece, but Rhone has thought of everything else too: a liner that doesn’t budge, a non-slip waistband and a plethora of hidden pockets.

It might seem like a boring present, but if you know a triathlete of any kind, or just someone who loves a trip down to the lido during the winter, a wetsuit will be one of the most welcome gifts you could give. One of our favourite brands for both the cycling and swimming parts of any triathlon, Van Rysel’s wetsuit will keep them warm while swimming but will also help reduce friction. It’s easy to take off thanks to the inverted zip and significantly helps with buoyancy to help them reduce their times.

Part of the fun of a strenuous workout in the modern age is generating reams of data that show you just how far you’re progressing, and there are few better tools to harness this information than Garmin’s epix Pro. The brand’s second-gen smartwatch can track (take a deep breath…) sleep score, training readiness, GPS location, heart rate, blood oxygen level and respiration rate, among other metrics, and is fully customisable, making it a great gift for any data-driven loved one focused on their fitness.

The revival of the cargo trouser has now grown so large, it has moved into fitness wear. Those who go to the gym to lift weights and talk shop at the water cooler will be delighted. With a pair like these from GymShark, they may not even have need for a gym bag.

One of the more obvious gifts for fitness lovers, protein powder is a staple that makes for a present they'll actually use. Comprising of 21 grams of protein per serving, it's available in 40 flavours, from the classic ‘chocolate and vanilla’ to more exciting flavours like maple syrup and banana. If they're all about the gains, this is the one for them.

Rapha has become synonymous with cyclists in the UK: a brand that has enchanted MAMILs (Middle-Aged Men In Lycra) and bike yuppies alike. Why? Its sleek and simple designs combine with inarguable quality that'll have your giftee on their best — and best-looking — cycling game since they first set out on two wheels.

Argue against golf counting towards the “fitness” category as much as you like: your giftee is getting a hell of a lot of steps in when he heads out to the fairway every weekend. Show him you support his dorky hobby with a fresh new pair of golfing gloves.

Expensive though it may be, this short-sleeve shirt by Rhone is hiding a plethora of benefits that make it well worth the splurge — particularly as a gift. Not only is it flatteringly cut and soft to the touch, it's infused with UPF50+ treatment for outdoor summer workouts as well as Rhone's own GoldFusion odour technology to keep stink to a minimum between washes.

Find a more beautiful side to changing robes than the DryRobe they already have (or worse, the old poncho they found in their loft). If they’re regularly outdoor swimming, paddle-boarding or otherwise immersing themselves in cold water, best to invest in something as elegant as this premium Vivida design, which looks more like a high-end puffer coat than anything else.

Smuggling budgies to the beach and the pool has been in and out of style since the mid 20th century, and while these tiny swimming kecks are still considered a little revealing, we think they're a lot of fun. No brand leans into that cheeky history better than Budgy Smuggler and its vibrant cartoonish swim trunks.

Rarely have we used such a comprehensive set of resistance bands. The ultimate solution to work trips at hotels sans gymnasiums, the Gymproluxe is an all-inclusive suite of bands and handles that allow you to get in some serious reps even when you’re away from home. Even homebodies who prefer to avoid the communal sweat situation of the local PureGym will get a hell of a lot out of these.

We try out all of the running shoes we recommend and this Cloud X Shift 3 pair is one of the most comfortable thanks to superfoam soles and moulded cushion pads. Aimed at improving the 5km experience, they’re lightweight, flexible and more than a little stylish in the way that all the best fitness-tuned brands are.

Everything you could ever need for indoor spinning, the Apex bike is essentially a cheaper alternative to the Peloton. Though it doesn’t come with a built-in screen, this upright cycle does include a monthly subscription for classes which can be accessed via any digital device and placed on the special screen mount. A top exercise bike pick for an at-home gym without the cost of the flashy designer equivalent.

The battle of the boxers may have been won by Calvin Klein for a long, long time, but there’s a new contender on the block. CDLP’s kecks, which are as sleek and comfortable as any we’ve ever tried, are also ideal for working out in, thanks to their no-irritation, no-tag construction and moisture wicking capabilities.

A gym bench with all of the accoutrements, the Fittle doubles as a sleek ottoman and includes all of the weights you’d ever need for some light (or heavy) home workouts. Thirty-five kilograms of weight plates (or 55 should you opt for the larger model) are joined by dumbbells, barbell and weight collars for an all-encompassing but fastidiously neat home weight station.

Getting a good quality workout when life's chaotic and you're short on time feels priceless, so gifting someone an app subscription like iFit is a game-changer. They'll be filled with gratitude (and happy hormones) after completing the wide range of workouts from HIIT to Pilates at home, plus its workout series is shot in picturesque locations like Miami and the Bahamas, so they'll feel more like they're working out on holiday than in their living room.

Sure, they could just chuck their sweaty gym clothes directly into their bag. Maybe they've even got a spare carrier bag that they wrap them in first to keep some of the inevitable funk from permeating the surroundings. But they can do better. And they shall. Meet La Pochette's elegant (and aptly-named) Sweat Bag — an antibacterial and water-resistant kitbag designed to store your workout gear while you're on the go.

The swim short: perhaps the only real middle ground between fashion and fitness. Sure, he could wear his cycling jersey to the shops, but it wouldn’t feel altogether natural. Swim shorts like Resort Co’s, though? This is a purchase that’ll work for swimming laps as much as it’ll look right at home at the pool bar.

There are only so many salt baths you can have and massage guns you can buy before you concede that it’s time to try something new. That next solution could be this: Puresport’s CBD-infused muscle and joint balm, which uses the power of cannabidiol to soothe aches and pains.

One of the funnest and most effective forms of cardio, the use of the skipping rope in boxing training has not only made the activity better known, but far, far cooler. Hike up the giftability factor with Tangram’s rope, a smart gadget that tracks things like jump count and calories burned on its adjoining app.

Running tights? For spring? Groundbreaking. Why not get them to try a pair of running shorts instead and free your legs to the warm breeze of April and May. In a very Chariots of Fire adjacent vintage design, our favourite high-performing, beautifully-crafted pair are these from Tracksmith. Personal best 10km not included.