10 Gift Ideas for Weightlifters That They Will Actually Use

If any of your loved ones happen to be into weightlifting — or maybe want to start spending more time in the gym — we’ve come up with the perfect gift guide covering all of the best gifts for weightlifters that they’ll actually use during their workouts. No need to fret over what type of t-shirt they prefer or whether those running shorts will fit them. Our team found some must-haves for any lifter, whether they’re into recreational workouts or branching into bodybuilding, making your shopping a little easier this year. No matter if they’re beginner lifters or have a regular gym routine, there’s something for everyone on this list. Getting the fitness fanatics in your life all set up to crush their goals is super easy with this roundup.

The products featured in this article have been independently reviewed by the team. When you buy something through the retail links on this page, we may earn commission at no cost to you, the reader.

• Best Shaker Bottle – BlenderBottle Strada
• Best Deadlifting Socks – MOXY Deadlifting Socks
• Best Weightlifting Belt – Gymreapers Quick Lock Weightlifting Belt
• Best Gym Bag – Adidas Defender 4 Small Gym Bag
• Best Gym Gloves – Mava Sports Cross Training Gloves
• Best Food Scale – Etekcity Food Scale
• Best Massage Gun – Theragun Mini
• Best Weightlifting Shoes – Adidas Powerlift 5
• Best Fitness Tracker – Fitbit Charge 5
• Best Adjustable Dumbbells – BowFlex SelectTech 552

Frequent lifters are usually using a shaker bottle pretty regularly, whether it’s for pre-workout, intra-workout or post-workout supplements, and the BlenderBottle Strada is one they’ll love. Not only is this shaker bottle made with stainless steel, but it’s double-wall vacuum insulated and can keep drinks cold for up to 24 hours. This is especially useful for anyone who drives to the gym or brings their bottle with them during their workout, as it ensures their drinks stay cool (especially important for anyone who loves a pre-workout smoothie), as opposed to the more traditional plastic shaker bottles that offer no insulation whatsoever. The push-button flip cap has a sliding lock to prevent unintentional opening, so the bottle can be tossed in a gym bag without worry. The shaker bottle comes with a surgical-grade stainless steel BlenderBall whisk that helps mix the contents quickly, helping the vegan or whey protein powder and pre-workout mixes blend smoothly.

If you know someone who regularly deadlifts or does Olympic lifting, you may have noticed that their shins are covered in scrapes, scars and scabs. This happens when the barbell grazes their skin during the lifts, and it happens fairly often. MOXY Deadlifting Socks are a perfect stocking stuffer for any powerlifter, it’ll be the fitness gift they didn’t know they needed. The knee-high design is tight and breathable, with mesh tops and a stretchy fit. Added cushioning in the Achilles Tendon area prevents that spot from injury, while padding in the shins from mid-calf to knee prevents the bar from doing further damage to this sensitive spot during lifting sessions.

Whether a lifter participates in body building, heavy weight training, cross fit or just spends a lot of time at the squat rack, a weightlifting belt is the perfect gift to help them protect their lower back. The Gymreapers Quick Lock Weightlifting Belt is an inexpensive option found on Amazon for a fraction of the cost of other belts but with a high-quality build and design that gym lovers rave over. The quick-lock mechanism makes unlocking and relocking much simpler, allowing them to take it off if they only want to use it for a few reps, or if they need to add or remove weight plates. Crafted from nylon for a lightweight yet durable feel, this is a great gift for any lifter who doesn’t own a lot of gym equipment and wants to start lifting heavier.

Any gym-goer will tell you that a gym bag is a must-have, and the Adidas Defender 4 is the perfect combination of compact size and functionality. This small-but-mighty gym bag is perfect for carrying a water bottle, foam roller (the smaller ones, obviously!), an extra t-shirt, tank top or hoodie (this is ideal for those who go straight to the gym after work, or vice versa), lifting straps or wrist wraps, extra shoes and pretty much anything else they’d want to bring along. The main compartment is nice and deep, providing tons of storage space, and two zippered end pockets are perfect for stashing smaller items. An additional zippered outside pocket provides quick access to your keys, phone or anything else you want to remain separate. The bag comes with haul handles and a removable shoulder strap for easy carrying.

An easy and thoughtful Christmas gift for any lifter is a pair of lifting gloves, and the two-in-one design of the Mava Sports Cross Training Gloves makes them our top choice. The neoprene ensures the gloves are flexible and stretchy, while the silicone grips help lifters grasp heavy barbells and perform exercises like pull ups without hurting their hands or getting calluses (or worse, ripping calluses). The wrist support helps prevent and reduce wrist injuries during heavy overhead lifts, providing stability to keep their form perfect. This is an ideal gift for anyone who struggles with grip strength, and is great for using kettlebells, dumbbells, barbells and more, whether they’re in their home gym or at a commercial gym.

If you have a loved one who participates in body building, you probably know how seriously they take their meals. One way to make meal planning easier (and more accurate) is with a food scale, and the Etekcity Food Scale is a super inexpensive option on Amazon that has thousands of raving reviews. Members of our review team have used this scale for years for accurate measurements while baking, preparing meals and getting precise serving sizes and portions. The scale can weigh items from 2-5,000 grams using 1-gram increments, and can measure in units of ounces, fluid ounces, pounds and ounces, grams and milliliters. The tare function lets you subtract the weight of a bowl, plate or container for exact readings.

If you know a personal trainer or a workout fanatic who takes their recovery seriously, the Theragun Mini is the perfect gift this holiday season. With three attachments and three speed options, users can massage their sore spots after a tough strength training session. The Theragun Mini is considerably smaller and lighter than its original counterpart, allowing for easier portability and use. This massage gun boasts a 12mm amplitude (amplitude refers to how far the head of the massage gun moves back and forth) which enables it to massage deep into the muscle. The stall force (amount of pressure required to stall the motor of the device) is estimated to be less than 20 pounds, which makes this ideal for warming up, cooling down, improving circulation or working out some kinks in your neck or back.

For recreational lifters or those who are relatively new to powerlifting, the Adidas Powerlift 5 is a great starter weightlifting shoe. They have some heel drop, which can help with range of motion while performing back squats, but it’s small enough that it’s a good starting point for those who are just getting into elevating their heels when squatting. The sole is made of high-density EVA (a foam commonly used in athletic footwear for cushioning and shock absorption) while the upper is made with canvas, mesh and 50% recycled materials. The Powerlift 5s use the traditional lace-up and strap in the midfoot for added security. The shoes have a reasonable price point, especially when compared to other weightlifting shoes, and they’re versatile enough that most recreational weightlifters should find them suitable for their workouts.

Gym lovers looking to up their cardio or track their heart rate, sleep and workouts more closely will love the FitBit Charge 5, a moderately priced (less than $100 at time of publication) fitness tracker that’s chock-full of useful features for all types of exercise. This latest model boasts on-board GPS, accurate heart rate tracking (perfect for at home workouts, spin classes, HIIT and more), smartphone notifications, contactless payments through FitBit Pay and an AMOLED screen that’s easy to read. One downside is the lack of music control capabilities, which means users will want to bring their phones with them to the gym to jam out during their workout. One new feature on the FitBit Charge 5 is the Daily Readiness Score, which takes into account a user’s activity levels, heart rate variability and sleep patterns to assess if they’re ready for exercise or if they’re better off prioritizing recovery.

An adjustable dumbbell set is an easy way to get a lot of bang for your buck, especially when you’re building out your home gym and don’t have a ton of space. Our favorite option is the BowFlex SelectTech 552, which offers users 15 different weights ranging from 2.5 to 52.5 pounds per dumbbell. This is pretty solid for most average lifters, though might be too light for heavier lifters who are trying to max out their bench press or rows from their home gym. The dial system is easy to use: Just put the weights in their loading dock and move the dial to whatever weight you want. For under $400, users can totally outfit their home gym with dumbbells without needing a ton of space.

How to Find the Best Gifts for Weightlifters

It might be tough to determine whether someone already has one of the items on this list, which is why we tried to find unique-yet-useful items that almost everyone in the weightlifting community can enjoy. For example, most lifters probably don’t have a pair of socks designed specifically for protecting their shins, and nearly everyone has a gym bag that could do with replacing. To better tailor your gift, we recommend thinking about what type of workouts they do (crossfit, home gym exercises, powerlifting, strength training, cardio, etc.) and basing your gift off their activity of choice. There’s something for everyone on this roundup, plus we have articles covering the best fitness trackers, pilates equipment, home gym equipment, workout machines and more if you want to fine-tune your gift idea.

What do you gift someone who is a fitness freak?

For some people, working out is a hobby, a way to blow off some steam before or after the workday or keep their bodies active. For others, it’s a lifestyle that takes precedence over many other components of their life. Regardless of which camp someone falls into, they’re almost always happy to receive new gear that helps them do what they love. Whether you buy them a small item that helps them perform a certain lift or activity easier, or you get them something that inspires them to try something new, you really can’t go wrong. The biggest thing to keep in mind is what kind of workout equipment or accessories will be most useful and beneficial to them and what size they are for shoes, belts, gloves and other items that come in different sizes.