Best Gifts for Gym Lovers Who’d Rather Be Lifting Right Now

Photograph: Hyperice

Your gym bro never stops moving. Monday: chest. Tuesday: back. You can’t skip leg day, and real ones don’t forget about cardio. With that kind of split, muscle recovery is a nonnegotiable. The Hyperice Hypervolt 2 is the best value massage gun for when the hammies are crying louder than his “Get Swole” playlist. It’s lighter and quieter than a Theragun but still powerful with its 60-watt brushless motor. They’ll get five attachments, three hours of battery life, and Bluetooth connectivity for guided routines in the Hyperice app.

Check out our guide to the Best Massage Guns for more gift ideas.

Real bros don’t read screens on their fitness trackers. (Real bros don’t read, amirite? No?) The Whoop MG is the bro-iest fitness tracker because its proprietary algorithm doesn’t measure sissy little metrics like how many steps you took. The Whoop doesn’t care if you got up every hour! Instead, Strain is a scale from 1 to 21 based on the Borg rating of perceived exertion. Strain takes into account your previous day’s recovery, so the Strain score you earn day to day, even from the same activities, will be different. It’s also not linear, so getting your Strain score from 16 to 17 is much harder than getting your score from 4 to 5.

Took 17,000 steps? Not enough. Spent 2 hours rock climbing? Also not enough for your gains. Even gym bros need a break from powerlifting every day, so this year Whoop did introduce new features like Healthspan, Pace of Aging, and other cardiac features with the Whoop MG and the Whoop Life membership to help a bro monitor more than just their muscle growth.—Adrienne So

For the gym bro who talks about macros like I talk about the Real Housewives. Transparent Labs is one of the few supplement brands that tests both ingredients and finished products for heavy metals, and it posts the results online. (Because nothing ruins a pump quite like lead poisoning.) The Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate is sourced from hormone-free cows and skips the dyes and artificial sweeteners. Each serving delivers 28 grams of protein, but if your broski’s deep in a bulking era, the Mass Gainer comes with 50 grams of protein and 100 grams of carbs. Consumer Reports has vetted the Sweet Vanilla flavor for daily consumption.

If you’re thinking protein powders, but maybe not this one, check out some of our other tested favorites.

Our favorite gym workout headphones, the BlueAnt Pump X have a pretty remarkable standout feature. You can swap out the regular ear pads for cooling gel ear pads that you can keep in the fridge. If your bro has ever found that keeping noise-canceling headphones on his head while he concentrates on his form makes him too sweaty, these are worth a shot. These work remarkably well, even if the condiment drawer in the fridge is a weird place to store workout equipment.—Adrienne So

Rule number one: a gym bro can never have too many shaker bottles. It’s a gym essential and the perfect gift when you don’t know too much about your homie. The BlenderBottle Classic is the OG of shaker bottles: measurement markings, a spout guard to prevent spills, and a carry loop for keeping grubby hands off the mouthpiece (or clipping on keys). Its rounded base and BlenderBall whisk crush clumps, so every sip is smooth(ish), depending on the protein powder, of course. It’s BPA- and phthalate-free, dishwasher-safe, and available in three sizes (20, 28, and 45 ounces).

When it comes to gifting wellness supplements, don’t surprise them with new products. Think restocks and upgrades, not reinventing their diet. And even the newbies know about creatine. Creatine won’t turn you into the Rock overnight, but when paired with weightlifting and a nutritious diet, it can help preserve strength and lean body mass. There are several versions out there, but stick to monohydrate; it’s the most studied, the most reliable, and usually, the most affordable. Thorne’s flavorless powder is perfect for blending into smoothies or mixing with water before a workout. Pro tip: when they hit you with a “Bro, I’m looking swole lately” after three days on creatine, maybe don’t mention it’s mostly water weight. Let them have this one.

Yes, your bro has been lifting in Chuck Taylors for his whole life and they’re fine. But if he needs an upgrade, may we suggest R.A.D. shoes, which are designed for gym, HIIT, CrossFit, and hybrid workouts and are soft enough to run on the treadmill. The rubber rand protects his feet for ropework and like his beloved Chucks, the sole is flat for stability with lifting and doing drills like box jumps. Also, they look the best. (Don’t like them? Check out our guide to running shoes here.)—Adrienne So

Runstar

Smart Body Fat Scale (FG2015)

Body scales—like dietary supplements—should be a request, not a surprise; I would only gift one if they’ve explicitly said they want one. Nevertheless, this is for the gym rat who tracks macros in their sleep. If they’re logging every rep, meal, and REM cycle, they’ll love the Runstar FG2015 Smart Scale. Unlike a standard foot-only scale, this one has a retractable handle with electrodes that scan your whole body and analyze muscle mass, water weight, and visceral fat. Does that average person need that level of detail? No, but if they’re bodybuilding, bulking, or just like to boast about their body fat percentage in decimals, it’s a total game-changer.

For more recommendations, we’ve weighed in on some more smart scales in this guide.

Real gym bros are not afraid to stretch. The Manduka ProLite is my personal favorite because it’s versatile enough for mobility work, hot mat pilates, and strength training. The closed-cell PVC surface keeps out sweat, bacteria, and whatever else’s festering on the gym floor. Dense enough to cushion knees without feeling squishy, and latex- and phthalate-free. Also, an awesome addition to their home gym (because you know they have one).

More yoga mat options can be found here.

The Hydro Flask is the ultimate gift for a gym lover. Built like a dumbbell, it can survive being dropped, dented, and yeeted into any gym bag or back seat. It keeps water cold for hours, and comes in a ton of sizes and colors. Order directly from the site, and you can customize the lid, strap, and bottle; you can also engrave their name so no one accidentally walks off with their bottle again.

For more recommendations, we have a Best Reusable Water Bottles guide.