The Best Holiday Gifts for Fitness Lovers

Meet the solution to the “I don’t know what to do at the gym” dilemma. This deck of 40 bodyweight exercises, 10 stretches, and six quick (but intense!) workouts is adaptable to any fitness level. With decks for men and women, each card features clean illustrations on one side and easy-to-follow instructions on the other. They also tell you which muscles each exercise targets, though if you do any of their suggested circuits, you’ll feel the burn. ($24.95; workoutlabs.com)

Give this to that friend or coworker that you don’t like when they’re angry (hey, you’re just making a joke, right?). But seriously, who’s going to mess with the guy or girl who drinks their morning coffee out of this Hulk mug? It holds 32 ounces, so you’ll only need to fill it up once for more than a day’s worth of caffeine (though we don’t recommend filling it up all the way—jittery, mad Hulk would be a very bad thing). ($14.99;alwaysfits.com)

Socks are usually an afterthought, meaning we don’t think about them until after we’ve spent the last quarter-mile of a run contemplating how one small blister could possibly cause so much pain. But these socks may change all of that. The fit is snug but not too tight, and they’re thin (no more sweaty feet!) but hold up to wear and tear. Plus thanks to the smartly designed blister tab that rests against your Achilles and honeycomb stitching across the arch to help distribute pressure, there’s no blisters or soreness. And for those looking to give back, for every pair purchased, Bombas donates one pair of socks to those in need. ($9.00; bombas.com)

A foam roller is great, but sometimes it can take up too much space. Enter the massage stick. At only 18 inches long and 1.5 inches wide, it’s got a lot of muscle to help relieve tension, stiffness, and tight knots, plus it allows for more targeted self-massage due to the independently rotating cylinders. This one comes with an exercise guide to help figure out the best ways to use it for what aches you. ($19.99; merrithew.com)

The jump rope is one of the cheapest ways to get a killer workout. Rated five stars by the American Council On Exercise, this one comes in six colors and five lengths that can be customized with the snap lock mechanism so you get the perfect fit. Both the cord and handles are incredibly durable, so use it and abuse it. Add the Jump Rope Made Easy PDF Manual for a few extra bucks, and with that get links to 20 instructional videos. ($6.00;punkrope.com)

Featuring Under Armour’s ColdGear Infrared technology, these hand-warmers are coated with a thermo-conductive lining that absorbs and retains body heat. Ruched cuffs and three sizes mean cold air won’t sneak in at the wrists, while touch-screen fingertips save you from frozen fingers if you need to text mid-run. (Not that we’d ever disrupt a workout to do that.) ($24.99; underarmour.com)

Think of this as a lacrosse ball and golf ball in one, as it has two different densities to provide pressure-point relief as well as massage. Roll against it like a foam roller or target specific muscles for a pseudo spa treatment: The yellow knob acts like a massage therapist’s knuckles or elbows to really dig in for hurts-so-good relief—for way less than you’d pay for a pro. ($19.99;sklz.com)

This runner staple could never be mistaken for a Fanny Pack. Comfy with a soft elastic band, the expandable pouch can fit a phone, keys, debit card, cash, and more, leaving hands free—and it won’t bounce. Plus in cool colors like blinging silver and gold, it’s another way to express your style. ($21.99; spibelt.com)

Wondering what WOD to do? Literally roll these dice, and you’ve got a ready-made routine you can do at home or on the road. With more than 2 million combinations possible, it’s impossible to get bored. Roll all six 12-sided dice, or use just the rep die and one movement die, and keep rolling to see what to do next. The accompanying booklet provides modifications and substitutions in case you don’t have some equipment—but remember, there is no substitution for burpees. Sorry (not sorry). ($34.95; amazon.com)

These cords eliminate excuses for not working out when traveling. Easy to fit into a suitcase or overnight bag, they make for a great resistance training workout to strengthen any body part. The three different cords vary in strength and can be used in nine different ways to fine-tine how much resistance you want to use. ($27.99;swagdaddy.com)

“Beast mode” takes on a whole new meaning with these kettlebells. The hand-sculpted bells come in howler monkey, chimpanzee, orangutan, and gorilla models, weighing 18, 36, 54, and 72 pounds respectively. These bells are really works of art, evidenced by the number of compliments we got when they were sitting in our office lounge. But they aren’t just a pretty, er, ugly face. They’ve been expertly engineered to be fully functional, properly balanced, and feature enlarged handles for grip strength, so you still get all of the benefits of a standard kettlebell while showing a little more personality. (starting at $42.95; onnit.com)

Warm enough for outdoor activities yet chic enough for on-the-go, this reversible ear warmer wicks sweat with soft fabric that has a snug yet not too tight fit. Plus, it’s thin enough to fit under hoods and helmets—and don’t worry, the fabric breathes well, so you won’t end up with gross hair if you do layer up. ($26; lululemon.com)

These gloves don’t mess around. There’s the same Infrared lining as the women’s gloves above, a hidden cuff pocket to stash a key, and of course touchscreen fingertips. While the palm features reinforced patches for durability, the back of the hands is super reflective for darker runs. And no worries about sweaty palms thanks to moisture-wicking technology. ($44.99; underarmour.com)

Great for running and cycling, these lightweight shades are designed for speed, with vented lens that are also polarized, durable, and 100-percent protective against UVA and UVB rays. Pick from three frame and lens combos. ($49.95;glpolarized.com)

It’s a scarf! It’s a hood! It’s a skirt! Actually, it’s all three. Wear this thermal wherever you need extra warmth, then cinch the drawstring to fit. Try finding another piece of athletic gear that’s this versatile. ($50.00; brooksrunning.com)

This kit has everything a newbie yogi needs—and every item is designed to last. The Athletic 2gripMat is longer and wider than others, with dry-technology for grip in even the sweatiest classes and support to protect joints. Plus, it’s made without the six most harmful phthalates. The hypoallergenic Athletic maxTowel covers the entire mat to keep it dry, and the 10-foot long maxStrap helps people of all flexibility levels work on getting into any pose. ($94.00; gaiam.com)

OK, so it’s designed with beer in mind, but this insulated, BPA-free bottle is just as good at keeping water chilled for up to 24 hours (perfect for hiking) or coffee warm for up to 12. The double wall means it doesn’t perspire and drip all over things, and the rounded corners help eliminate bacteria buildup (read: funky smells and tastes). And with a 100-year warranty, we’re betting this baby lasts. ($54.99; hydroflask.com)

This is the perfect way to introduce a guy who thinks Lululemon is just for bendy yoga women to the brand—and to convince him to toss out smelly, old tees. The sweat-wicking fabric uses Silverescent technology to inhibit the growth of bacteria, in turn inhibiting stench. Plus the seams are placed to reduce chafing, and hidden reflective details show up in low-light conditions for much subtler protection compared to hunter-orange vests. ($68.00; lululemon.com)

Women and men will love how this medium-weight shirt keeps them warm, whether running, hiking, cycling, or hitting the slopes. Made from merino wool and polyester, it also will keep them dry. ($85.00; supernatural.com)

Coming in sizes and colors for women and men, these lightweight sneakers provide support for a smooth ride with no-sew overlays so they fit comfortably to your feet. But the coolest thing is they glow in the dark, perfect for early or late runs on shorter winter days. Or for raves. ($119.99; newbalance.com)

Commuting and errands are stylish, fun, and a bit of a workout with this Dutch-style cruiser. The steel frame, retro accents, and leather grips looks so much more elegant than that Strawberry Shortcake bike you had as a kid, but what we really love is the mid-century alloy bell. ($485.00; linusbike.com)