Where last Christmas we were bound to our living rooms for the occasional Joe Wicks PE lesson, this time around we’re happy to be back in the swing of more comprehensive workout routines. And heading into “New Year, New You” territory, there’s no better time to be facilitating someone’s fitness momentum with a gift that feeds into their goals – making Christmas gifts such as gym kit, equipment and accessories an easy win.
Lucky for you, we at GQ know our CrossFit kicks from our runners and have tested our fair share of equipment, apps, trackers, you name it. Whether they’re a beginner with eyes on the latest FitBit for their wrist or a seasoned gym-pro for whom only a Hydrow rower will do for their home workouts, our guide to gifts for gym junkies has Christmas sorted without the need to break a sweat…
Want to broaden your present-giving horizons? Take a look at our gift guides to the best Christmas gifts for men, for women, mums and dads.
THERABODY WAVE ROLLER
Therabody, the team behind the Theragun – a percussive therapy device that revolutionised post-workout recovery – puts the final nail in the foam roller’s uncomfortably textured coffin with this device. The Wave Roller uses similar technology to its popular massage gun cousin to give five different intensities of vibration, helping gym-goers warm-up or cool down from their next run or workout. It only sounds excessive until you try it.
LARQ BOTTLE
Oh, you think your water bottle is cool? You’ve clearly not tried out the Larq, which might just be the coolest bottle on the market. Not only will it keep water chilled for 24 hours (or your coffee hot for 12), but it also self-cleans every two hours for the most hygienic water bottle there is. Who knew hydration could be this technical?
LULULEMON CITY SWEAT JOGGER
It doesn’t take much to realise why Lululemon is dominating the athleisurewear market right now. Just spend a few hours in these joggers and you’ll see. Comfortable, well-made, and just as suitable for the gym as they are for running errands, Lululemon’s City Sweat Jogger is a gift any man would be lucky to receive. Naturally breathable, structured yet relaxed and with secure pockets for your day-to-day – this is loungewear versatility at its very best.
FLEXISPOT HOME OFFICE CYCLE DESK BIKE V9 PRO
Taking the sedentary aspect out of desk work, a home office cycle bike is exactly what the WFH-lovers in your life need this year. Yes, a standing alternative will do wonders for any deskbound hunch, but a cycle desk will do the extra bit to keep the heart pumping while your emails find you well. Just make sure you’re on mute if you find yourself panting during a Zoom call.
BAM BAMBOO T-SHIRT
Bam’s bamboo fibre activewear is the perfect fitness gift for gym junkies who want to flex their eco-friendly muscles while they work out. Bam not only offsets the full carbon footprint of its clothes – it’s aiming to become impact positive by 2030 – but the environmentally sustainable bamboo it’s made from is good for sweaty sessions, too. Bamboo fibre is absorbent, which means moisture doesn’t sit on the surface and it keeps air from getting to odorous bacteria. They dare buyers to see if it holds up to a week without washing – it has to be seen (and smelled) to believe.