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The best Christmas gifts for gym-lovers and wellness fans to shop now
From workout gear to smartwatches, these are our top tried-and-tested picks for the health nut in your life
Tested by Kim HawleyHealth and Fitness Tester
Christmas gift shopping for a health and fitness lover, whether they're into running, yoga, Pilates or lifting weights, can be a bit daunting if you're not an exercise fanatic yourself.
To save you the stress of scouring the internet for the best gifts for gym lovers and panic-buying a water bottle or pair of running socks, we've cherry-picked the gifts that are guaranteed to put a smile on their face. Our top picks cover everything from fitness equipment and healthy eating essentials to activewear and sleep gadgets.
All the recommendations below are GHI Approved, which means they've been tested in our state-of the art-lab and often with a panel at home as well. We've also included plenty of options for all needs and budgets.
The best gifts for gym lovers and fitness fans 2024
If you're ready to shop, here are our favourite wellness gifts at a glance, but keep scrolling for the full wish list.
What health and fitness gifts should I buy my loved one?
Whether you're shopping for a friend, sibling, partner or parent, we've covered all bases in our gift guide.
If you're after a present for a dedicated yogi, consider buttery soft yoga leggings, a gorgeous and grippy mat or a yoga block or bolster to support their practice.
For the runner in your life, how about a new running watch (if your budget stretches), a supportive sports bra, a running vest, a toasty jacket to get them through the winter months or a reliable pair of running headphones?
Searching for something for a gym-goer? We've got you covered in our round-up, with everything from adjustable kettlebells and walking pads to recovery tools like massage guns and ice baths. The best protein bars, electrolyte tablets and greens powders make excellent stocking fillers, too.
Shopping for a beauty lover? Check out our dedicated gift guide.
Without further ado, let's get into it...
Score: 83/100
Combining all the best parts of a fitness tracker with the aesthetics of a classic analogue watch, this was a big hit with our testers. The display is easy to read and offers up-to-date metrics on heart rate, step count, sleep, stress and blood oxygen levels – plus, you can access even more stats on the Garmin Connect App.
It doesn’t feature a built-in GPS, so they’ll still need a pocket for their phone on a run or cycle, but for a smart, stylish office-to-gym watch, it’s a great buy. It also offers wireless charging, so there's no need to faff around finding the right charging cable.
Score: 93/100
Any fitness fan knows just how important sleep and relaxation is to their recovery process – tired muscles aren't going to carry you through an intense Pilates class. This weighted blanket provides plenty of comfort with its soft, fleecy finish, while the glass bead filling delivers the calming, soothing effect that has made these blankets so popular.
Our testers said it kept them cosy without causing them to overheat, making it a gift they can keep enjoying in the warmer months too. It's available in two weights (5kg or 7kg) and our panel found they could move around under it without feeling claustrophobic. It's also machine washable for extra gifting brownie points.
Score: 98/100
A massage gun makes a great Christmas gift for someone who needs to get those knots out, whether it’s down to a vigorous exercise programme, a poor work set-up or stress.
This compact design from physical therapists Bob and Bob offers excellent value for money – it’s lightweight and a pleasure to use, with five speeds and five attachments to target every type of ache and pain. It comes with a neat, zipped carry case and it’s surprisingly quiet, so you can attend to sore muscles on the go. For those new to percussive therapy, there are detailed instructions and massage routines in the box.
Score: 83/100
These top-rated headphones are extremely popular with runners. They use clever bone conduction technology, sending audio vibrations through the cheekbones to your inners, so you can stay aware of what’s going on around you and stay safe on the roads.
In our tests, we found them extremely comfortable and they stayed in our ears throughout our runs. They’re waterproof and sweat-proof, plus they come with a voice assistant, allowing you to control music playback and find out your battery level.
Score: 92/100
Yogis in your life will appreciate these comfortable, stretchy leggings from premium activewear brand Lululemon. Trust us, they'll look the part both in and out of the studio. One of our testers even said they were the comfiest pair of leggings they’d ever worn, so we have no doubts they’ll offer supreme support through everything from downward-facing dog to pigeon.
There’s a huge range of colours from dark blue to a rosy pink and our panel loved the seamless, high-quality design.
Score: 96/100
If they could do with some R&R in their lives, this gorgeous electronic diffuser from ESPA is sure to help them de-stress and unwind. Numerous testers told us it was the best diffuser they'd ever used.
The stylish ceramic design emits a fine mist from the spout at the top and features a light mode, which casts a warm glow over your room to help lull you into a deep slumber. It's extremely quiet and automatically switches off when the water level is running low. What's more, it will look great on any mantlepiece or bedside table.
Score: 89/100
Cold water therapy is huge in the wellness world right now and for good reason. There are countless benefits, from improved mood and stress tolerance to faster muscle recovery and increased energy. This portable, insulated tub from Lumi takes up minimal space in the garden and allows you to reap the rewards of cold plunging from the comfort of your home.
Our panel found it a cinch to set up and use and they liked the simple, compact design. Performance-wise, they enjoyed using it after workouts, with one tester saying it reduced stiffness in their legs and helped them hit running PBs.
Score: 90/100
A changing robe is great gift for those who enjoy cold water swimming or who simply like exploring whatever the weather, and it doesn’t get much better than this popular option from dryrobe.
It has a fast-drying, absorbent lining, a range of zipped and interior pockets and a roomy design for quick, easy changes. Our testers loved the cosy fabric, saying it kept them supremely warm and toasty after a chilly dip. Outdoors pursuits aside, it’s great for dog walks, school runs and errands in the chillier months.
Score: 87/100
A bag of AG1, the celeb-favourite greens powder, is the perfect gift for someone who’s planning a January health kick. It’s packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and probiotics to boost mental performance, support a heathy immune system and promote better gut health.
Testers noted positive improvements after taking it consistently for a month, including clearer skin, less bloating and more energy throughout the day. It also tastes much nicer than many greens powders on the market, according to our panel, who liked the notes of pineapple and coconut. Read our full AG1 review.
Score: 92/100
For a healthy body and mind, a sunrise alarm clock will make the perfect addition to their morning. Simulating a natural sunrise, they provide a gradual wake-up, promoting a better sleep routine. This Philips model offers 20 different levels of light intensity and seven natural sounds to ease them out of sleep and support their natural body clock.
Our testers loved the sleek design and responsive controls, which made it easy to personalise and adjust the wake-up simulation. It also features a ‘midnight function’ that provides just enough light to help users make it to the bathroom without disturbing their partner. Plus, there a handy USB so they charge up their fitness watch overnight and be ready to go when the light comes up.
Score: 82/100
These sleek buds, which come in seven different skin tones, are excellent value for money. They're lightweight, comfortable and have three different ear tips included to ensure you find the right fit.
They don't offer active noise cancellation, but we found they did an excellent job of blocking out external sounds in the gym. Our audio expert said the sound quality was decent, they boast a 32-hour battery life and there's an in-ear assistant to tell you when the battery is running low. A good choice for someone's who embarking on a new exercise routine in the new year.
Score: 82/100
We're huge fans of Vuori’s activewear at Good Housekeeping and the brand’s yoga mat is just as impressive. Yogis will love the brand’s premium 4mm design for all their classes, from gentle yin to high-paced vinyasa.
Our expert said it was highly grippy, even when their hands were sweaty, and it stayed put on the floor, without sliding around. It scored extra points for its smooth fabric, generous size and attractive design. It doesn’t have that unpleasant rubbery smell and it’s easy to keep in tip-top condition.
Score: 93/100
The perfect little stocking filler, these electrolyte sachets from viral brand Liquid I.V. are just the ticket for rehydrating after a sweaty run, hike or high-intensity workout. Exercise aside, electrolytes can also be handy for when you’re battling a Christmas hangover, helping to top up your salt stores and hydrate you faster.
Each stick contains a healthy dose of key electrolytes including sodium and potassium along with glucose and a fistful of vitamins, including C, B3, B5, B6 and B12. We found the fine powder dissolved well in water and everyone liked the gentle fruity flavour.
Score: 86/100
Gym-goers will appreciate this handy appliance, which cooks with little to no oil for healthier dinners with minimum faff. This Salter model’s compact design and affordable price make it a brilliant gift for any air fryer newbies.
In our tests, it expertly cooked up chicken, chips and cupcakes, with beautifully golden and even results. It also features a “Group-Fry” function, which will allow them to cook multiple meal components in a single basket – great for those cooking for one or two.
Score: 87/100
Chances are, the health enthusiast you're shopping for has come across mushroom coffee. It was one of the biggest wellness trends in 2024, and the 'shroom boom shows no signs of slowing down.
This gift set from DIRTEA, which comes with a tin travel mug, a scoop and a pouch of coffee, is sure to be a hit. It contains a mix of 100% Arabica coffee, functional mushrooms, including lion’s mane, chaga and tremella, and adaptogens like Ashwagandha and maca powder. Testers enjoyed the gentle flavour and rated the smooth consistency. Some even noticed benefits like increased energy levels and better concentration.
For hot chocolate lovers, the brand also has a cacao gift box, and there's one for matcha fans, too.
Score: 83/100
Walking pads are all the rage right now, and they make an excellent gift for someone who wants to be more active in 2025. This one from UREVO couldn’t be simpler to use (it's ready to go as soon as it’s been unboxed), it won’t take up too much space in your living room or study, and it comes with handy transport wheels for storing it away when not in use.
The motor is pretty quiet, the belt provides sufficient cushioning for your limbs, and it even comes with a manual 3% incline to up the difficulty level.
Score: 93/100
For the gym bunny in your life who’s trying to up their protein intake and build some muscle, these tasty bars from Grenade will prove immensely popular. Each bar contains 20g of protein to help them meet their target, with just 1g of sugar.
Our experts liked the chocolate bar-esque taste and soft, gooey texture. There are a range of delicious flavours to try, but our favourites include Oreo, Birthday Cake and Dark Chocolate Raspberry.
Score: 93/100
Give the gift of rest and relaxation this Christmas with Bob & Brad’s best-selling eye mask (a personal favourite of our expert testing team), because we all know that sleep is a major part of the health puzzle.
The mask uses compression massage and heat therapy to improve blood flow around the eyes and help you de-stress and unwind before bed. There are three pressure levels and three heat settings to choose from, so there’s something to suit everyone, plus the option to stream your own music as you relax. It makes for a gorgeous gift.
Score: 88/100
If they turn their nose up at sugar-laden Quality Street chocolates on Christmas Day, a vegan, dark chocolate gift box should put a smile on their face.
Hu's organic, 70% dark chocolate went down a treat with testers, who loved the rich, nutty flavour, describing it as "luxurious" and "indulgent." We tried the hazelnut butter version, but we have it on good authority that all the flavours are equally delicious.
Score: 87/100
Every runner needs a handy hydration vest to store their bits and bobs as they pound the pavement, and we recommend this unisex option from Myprotein. It ticked every box for our testing panel, who raved about its functional features.
There are plenty of pockets, including a zipped one for your card and keys, a roomy back pocket for light layers and an open one for snacks. To keep you hydrated, there are two 500ml soft flasks and an optional 2L bladder. It scored highly for breathability thanks to mesh panelling, and everyone loved the snug but comfortable fit.
Priyankaa is our sleep and wellness expert, specialising in expert-tested reviews and roundups on the latest health and fitness products. From walking boots to running machines, Priyankaa has written about hundreds of products and is passionate about providing in-depth, unbiased reviews. Plus, as an avid runner and gymgoer, she knows exactly what to look for when finding the right gymwear, fitness tracker or earphones.
Priyankaa has an MA in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University and over five years’ experience in health and fitness journalism. Priyankaa has written for Stylist’s Strong Women Training Club, where she regularly wrote about diversity in the fitness industry, nutrition tips, training advice and her experience completing various fitness challenges. She has also written for a variety of publications including Business Insider, Glamour, Bustle, Metro, HuffPost UK, gal-dem and more. Outside of work, Priyankaa can usually be found trying out a new gym class, seeking out London's best eats or watching a Spanish TV show in a bid to keep up her language skills.
Megan is the Good Housekeeping Institute’s senior homes and lifestyle writer. She loves diving into the latest product releases to find the very best buys on the market and has written hundreds of product reviews on everything from the best vacuum cleaners and coffee machines to the best ice cream makers and robot window cleaners.
When she’s not writing about the newest gadgets and gizmos for your home and garden, you’ll find her running every distance from 5km to 100km or relaxing at home with her cat – there really is no in between.
Megan has an MA in Magazine Journalism and has previously written for Stylist, Glamour, Women's Health, TimeOut, SquareMeal, and YOU magazine. You can find Megan on Instagram @meganlouisegeall.
Kim Hawley is our health and fitness product tester. Her career in fitness has spanned over 30 years. Prior to joining the Good Housekeeping Institute, she worked as a personal trainer, writer and fitness instructor for some of London’s most prestigious health clubs, including The Harbour Club, David Lloyd and The Chelsea Club. Passionate about women’s health and fitness, especially in pre/post menopause, she is also a Level 4 PT and holds a professional nutritional qualification. Kim is responsible for rigorously testing everything from cross trainers to smart watches.
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