Best Fitness Gifts 2020: A Complete Guide

We’ve put together a complete list of the best fitness gifts for 2020. If you need gifts for someone in your life that loves working out, lifting weights, CrossFit, Metcon, or high intensity interval training (HIIT), we’ve got you covered. This list offers a bunch of great options that will work for upcoming Christmas, holiday, or birthday gifts.

We’ve rigorously tested all the items on the list and know they perform well. Our team includes several testers who regularly get after it in the gym (except during pandemic lockdowns) and we know what’s important to the fitness enthusiast in your life. If you have follow up questions about any product on the list, ask us on Twitter.

We’ve also reviewed a ton of workout and cross training shoes this year and many other products not featured on this page. With that said, let’s unveil our list of the best fitness gifts for 2020.

Best Athletic Mask: UA Sportsmask

In a world with an ongoing pandemic, everybody needs a reliable mask, especially athletes.

The UA Sportsmask from Under Armour is one of the many mask options that popped up among footwear and apparel brands after the pandemic hit us full force. A new product category was created almost overnight and now we have a ton of options.

The UA Sportsmask is the most comfortable, well-built option available. It’s lightweight, but still sturdy enough to stay put during heavy exercise. The mask is also comfortable around the ears, comes in various sizes to fit most faces, and offers 6 different colors.

High quality, high durability masks that work in the gym and the streets are tough to find. We’ve looked since the pandemic began and this is the best one we’ve tried.

Best Metcon Shoe: Nike Metcon 6

Nike sponsored this slot and chose a shoe we gave a high rating in our September review.

The Nike Metcon 6 continues the continuous evolution of the Nike Metcon line. Every year, Nike tweaks the newest model with changes that take it to the next level. It’s ready for any Metcon or workout your fitness loving friend or family member attempts.

The Metcon 6 is a workhorse of a shoe that delivers world class support, grippy traction, and amazing breathability. It does have a narrow fit. But as long as the fitness lover in your life doesn’t have a really wide foot, this shoe is ready for any workout he or she tackles. Read full review for more details.

Best Foam Roller: TriggerPoint GRID Foam Roller

Every fitness enthusiast needs a foam roller in their recovery toolbox to release muscle pain and tightness.

Foam rollers are now ubiquitous at gyms around the world. The key to buying a foam roller is finding one that’s durable enough to last for years.

The TriggerPoint GRID Foam Roller is the most durable foam roller you’ll find. The GRID has a multi-density EVA foam layered on top of a rigid, hollow TPU core. The hollow core makes it perfect for travel as you can stuff clothes inside it when you place it in your suitcase.

The GRID foam roller is also half the size of a typical foam roller which comes in handy for both travel and storage. It’s got the best foam roller form factor and will last a long time, exactly what the fitness lover in your life needs.

Best Fitness Hoodie: Hylete Flexion Hoodie

Hoodies are essential as the temperature cools. Having one you can wear while exercising is clutch.

The Hylete Flexion Hoodie is made of a polyester and spandex mix that’s perfect for outdoor workouts or training when the weather gets colder.

The Flexion Hoodie also has a modern style that elicits “ninja” comments from other gym goers. It just looks cool.

It’s got two front pockets, good breathability, and thumb holes built into the sleeves. It’s functionally built for any type of workout and looks good too. And while the Flexion Hoodie is on the expensive side, it’s built solidly and should last a long time.

Best Fitness Watch: Apple Watch

We named the Apple Watch as our best overall wearable earlier this year.

The Apple Watch dominates the wearables market for good reason. It packs useful features, the best ease of use, a reasonable price, great durability, and style.

It’s the best smartwatch even though it has several unnecessary apps that aren’t useful and can’t be deleted. It’s also got an annoying app list screen and battery life that requires a daily charge.

But compared to other smartwatches on the market, those are small issues. Especially when we’re talking fitness. The Apple Watch has the best array of fitness forward apps available. There’s no better smartwatch option for those that work out regularly.

Best Fitness App: Nike Training Club

Every person working to stay fit needs a trusty training app packed with workouts.

The Nike Training app works on iOS and Android. It’s also compatible with various smartwatches. But why is it the best fitness app?

Nike recently made the app completely free. You have access to all the workouts, personal trainers, and nutrition advice once you download it. The 185+ workouts include a wide range of video and whiteboard workouts, various muscle groups, and most require minimum to no equipment. The app also keeps track of all your hard work and syncs with many health trackers and watches.

Is it perfect? No. But it’s the most well-rounded, best-priced fitness app available.

Best Sleeveless T-Shirt: Lululemon Metal Vent Tech Sleeveless 2.0

Gym goers need sleeveless t-shirts for freedom of arm movement. We’re always looking out for the best ones.

Lululemon, which started as a brand focused on Yoga, has now expanded to make clothing for running, training, and basketball.

The Metal Vent Tech Sleeveless 2.0 is a near perfect workout top. It features a seamless construction, impressive breathability, and is long enough to prevent showing bare midriff while lifting weight above the head. The nylon, polyester, and elastane material mix delivers a soft, light shirt that stretches in all the right places.

The Metal Vent Tech Sleeveless is expensive (like all Lululemon products) but quality and durability are great.

Best Cushioned Cross Training Shoe: UA Project Rock 3

When you’re as big as Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, you need more cushioning.

While your fitness loving friends and family are most likely not as huge as The Rock, they’ll appreciate the extra cushioning in his signature cross trainer. The UA Project Rock 3‘s HOVR cushion is plush, but still firm enough to lift some serious weight.

The sock-like upper is comfortable, but buy a 1/2 size up from your fitness lover’s usual size. The Rock 3 runs small. Once you’ve got the right size, you’ll be gifting them an extremely comfortable cross trainer they can use to lift, jump, push, and sprint. Read full review for more details.

Best Percussion Massager: ExoGun Dream Pro

Massage guns increase blood flow to specific muscle areas to reduce tension and inflammation.

Percussion massagers are now a staple of athletic recovery. Lots of companies offer percussion massagers with prices up to $600. Which should you choose?

Typically the more you pay, the quieter your massager. You also get more speeds and a carrying case. So the idea is to find one that’s less expensive but relatively quiet, has multiple speeds, and comes with a carrying case.

When you go through all the options like we have, one stands out. The ExoGun DreamPro. It’s got all the bells and whistles. And it’s typically priced from $150-$200. Grab one for your fitness pals and they’ll be thanking you after every workout.

Best Hybrid Cross Training Shoe: On Cloud X

Workout shoes aren’t usually fashion forward. Here’s one that is.

The On Cloud X is easily the best looking cross training shoe on the market. It’s got a sleek look that looks great dressed up with jeans for casual wear. That said, it still performs in the gym and on the roads.

On mainly makes running shoes and this is the second generation of their hybrid workout and running shoe. If your fitness friend is typically running a lot of miles alongside his or her weight workouts, this could be the shoe for them. It’s got a high build quality to handle all the typical movements they’d make while working out or running. Read full review for more details.

Best Compression Sleeve for Training: GO Kinesiology Calf Sleeve

Leg compression sleeves have been an athletic fashion statement since Michael Jordan.

If you’re going to help the workout warrior in your life look cool with a compression sleeve, at least get them one that packs supportive features.

The GO Calf Sleeve includes built in Kinesiology tape to reduce pain from shin splits, achilles tendon issues, and calf muscle tightness. The sleeves fit super tight for compression purposes, so check out the size guide to ensure you buy the right one.

This is the type of fashion forward, but useful, gift that the basketball players, runners, and weightlifters on your list will appreciate.

Best Sneaker Community: WearTesters Membership

If your fitness enthusiast loves WearTesters, we’ve created a place he or she will feel at home.

The WearTesters Discord community was started in mid-2019 to create a place where WearTesters’ fans could have direct access to the entire review team via various chat channels and DMs.

In the ensuing year and a half, the community has grown immensely and is now a troll free section of the internet where we geek out about shoes.

In addition, members get exclusive access to WearTesters events, monthly voice chat sessions, and special projects (like the NW1). Gold members get the added benefit of deadstock shoe giveaways every month.

You can gift someone a 1 year subscription at the Blue or Gold level.

Best Indoor Cycling Shoe: Nike SuperRep Cycle

Indoor cycling with Peloton, Zwift, or in class at a studio is hugely popular around the world.

The Nike SuperRep Cycle is great for indoor cyclists who use Peloton or Zwift and for new outdoor cyclists who want to make the jump to a cleated pedal.

The SuperRep Cycle is correctly priced at $120, light, breathable, and very comfortable. The wide toe box is a nice bonus, but the power transfer won’t satisfy elite cyclists. If the cyclist in your life needs a comfortable shoe for recovery rides, or if they have just been dying to wear Nikes on a bike, the SuperRep Cycle is perfect for them. Read full review for more details.

Best Compression Tights: Under Armour HeatGear 3/4 Leggings

Compression wear is designed to increase blood flow which keeps muscles and joints warm.

Every fitness lover in the world probably owns a pair of compression pants. So why is this one on the list?

The UnderArmour Heat Gear 3/4 Leggings are durable, comfortable, don’t get smelly, and are right-priced at $32. There’s a wide range of sizes including a tall version.

The basic black, white, and gray colors are uninspiring but UA offers patterned compression leggings for a little more money. There’s also a bunch of full length options if you prefer. When you give this kind of gift, the receiver thinks you paid more than you really did.

Best Sports Drink: BODYARMOR

Everyone that exercises occasionally needs a sports drink to rehydrate after an especially tough workout.

The best sports drink for most people is BODYARMOR. BODYARMOR offers multiple great tasting flavors, uses potassium as the key electrolyte, uses no artificial sweeteners or artificial colors/dyes, and keeps the calories, carbs, and sodium reasonable.

All BODYARMOR flavors are made with 10% coconut water. BODYARMOR is vegan, gluten-free, soy free, and certified Kosher. Our favorite flavor of BODYARMOR is Tropical Punch but Fruit Punch, Orange Mango, and Pineapple Coconut are also really good. That’s plenty of options to help stuff a stocking. Read the full Sports Drink guide for more details.

Best Recovery Product: NormaTec Pulse 2.0

Dynamic compression squeezes your legs in all the right ways to increase blood flow and boost recovery.

People call the NormaTec Pulse 2.0 leg sleeves magic boots for a reason. The way they envelop and squeeze the legs feels amazing.

All any fitness lover needs to do is sit there for 20 minutes and let his or her legs relax. When they’re done, they’ll feel refreshed and happy. It’s the perfect tool for the people who constantly put their legs through hellish squats and deadlifts.

It’s super expensive at $1000, but if you’re thinking of a big gift for that special someone, the recovery benefits they get from it will get you lots of love and attention.

Best Stretchy Jeans: Barbell Apparel Jeans

Every weightlifter has needs outside of the gym too. One of those needs is a great pair of jeans

Nowadays, there are a lot of stretchy jeans. Which is great for the extra large quads and calves of fitness freaks and workout warriors. Of all the stretchy jeans, Barbell Apparel’s flexible denim is the best.

Barbell Apparel jeans look like high end denim but include polyester and spandex in their material mix to provide just the right amount of stretch for athletic legs. Their ads regularly show people doing squats in them.

Barbell Apparel jeans are available in multiple washes for both men and women. These jeans will easily become a go to pair for the fitness lover in your life.

Other Gift Guides

Need more gift ideas? Check out our other gift guides: