By day, she is a senior editor at Allure, where she writes and edits articles about the latest trends in the beauty industry. I’m at the gym until the night and sometimes early the next morning. Exercise is one of the ways I prioritize and invest in myself. Whether it’s a slow jog on the treadmill or sweating profusely in a HIIT class, being active helps clear your head and gives you a sense of accomplishment. (I feel great after finishing my training.)
My colleagues feel the same way. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best gifts for active friends, no matter where they are on their fitness journey. Maybe your friend is interested in running (like me! It sucks, but I know it might help). Maybe they’re training for a marathon (Sarah Kinonen has the perfect sneakers for you.) Does your friend get nervous about a Pilates class? We have made recommendations that may ease your anxiety.) Read more.
Need more gift inspiration? Check out our ultimate holiday gift guide for 2024.
Recommended gifts
Running: Garmin Forerunner 165
jessa marie carraol
This watch has given me the confidence to train for long distance runs as a beginner runner. It’s equipped with GPS and tracks speed, distance, pace, and heart rate. It has a lot of other features, like recovery insights and an indoor sports app, but I don’t find the interface overwhelming. (It’s easy to ignore all the other features you’re not ready to use in your training.) Recommended for people who are new to running.
Running: ASICS Magic Speed 4
sarah kinonen
“I’ve tried on about 2,489,725 pairs of sneakers (both given and received) during my training,” says Associate Beauty Director Sara Kinonen, who is training for the New York City Marathon. She calls Asics Magic Speed shoes the Goldilocks of sneakers. “Lightweight yet supportive enough to get me through 42.2 miles without feeling sore and comes in really fun color combinations (I have a blue and green pair) I’m planning a pair.
Dance: Girlfriend Collective Black Paloma Racerback Bra
Girlfriend Collective
Black Paloma Racerback Bra
cara mcgrath
“As a DD cup size, I am often asked for sports bra recommendations for breast enlargement, but I have yet to receive any negative feedback on my go-to suggestion, Girlfriend Collective’s Paloma Racerback Bra. I haven’t received it,” says content director Carla. McGrath said she wears it to dance classes, which involve a lot of cardio. “Sizes range from XXS (29″ bust) to 6XL (60” bust) and come in lots of pretty colors. Best of all, it doesn’t have removable cups, which is an oft-touted ‘feature’ in sports bras. , I don’t have it. ” Basically, this bra is perfect and I think everyone on your list will love it. ”
Pilates: Balanced Body Metro IQ Pilates Reformer
balanced body
Metro IQ Pilates Reformer
Commerce writer Jen Hussain likes Pilates, but she doesn’t like doing it in groups. She regularly uses Balanced Body’s Metro IQ Pilates Reformer in her cozy New York City apartment. “I’ve seen a lot of at-home reformers on FYP, and I guarantee you that Balanced Body’s is much sturdier and higher quality than anything you’ll find on the TikTok Shop,” she says. “This brand has basically taken the legs of your average boutique-class large reformer and made it suitable for apartments. It has the same resistance, quiet glide, and no shaking as a state-of-the-art boutique machine. But it’s compact enough to store in my apartment’s living room, and it’s so light that my downstairs neighbors won’t hear any rattling or thuds when I’m working. .”
Pilates: Alo Pulse Grip Socks
Kinonen and I regularly attend SolidCore classes, and while many people choose to work out barefoot, we wear grippy socks to make our feet safer. I am wearing it. I love this pair from Alo. This will keep you engaged in class, go well with most workout clothes, and look great peeking out of your sneakers.
Pilates: rose bangle
Hussain has been focusing on building upper arm strength for quite some time and says the Bala Bangles are helping him get closer to that goal. “They come in a variety of weights, the heaviest being 3 pounds, so they add a little heat to your Pilates session without turning your biceps to jelly,” she says. “Even when I’m not working out, I love wearing this weighted bangle as I go about my daily tasks to add some arm exercise throughout the day.”
Hot Yoga: Urubun Onyx Onesie
Talia Gutierrez, associate manager of special projects, said hot yoga is one of her “fitness vices” and that she suddenly prioritizes workout clothes that aren’t see-through when she gets sweaty. This is her favorite dress, perfect for a 90-minute hot yoga class. “It’s thick enough that it’s not see-through,” she says. “It’s also stretchy and made from breathable fabric, so it doesn’t dig in easily even in the core-strengthening positions my Core Power instructors put me through.”
HIIT: Nike V2k Run Sneakers
Talia Gutierrez
“These Nike V2Ks are the most comfortable shoes I own and give me the oomph I need for my weekly HIIT classes,” says Gutierrez. Great arch and shock absorption effect. ” She added that the silver and white colorway is easy to style with everyday wear, such as jeans.
HIIT Workout: Apple Watch Series 10
Kinonen is hooked on his Apple Watch for his HIIT workouts. “I was a first-generation user and have been loyal to the technology ever since. I use it for HIIT workouts because it tracks my movement (steps, etc.), calories, heart rate, At the peak of my outing, my heart rate can be really high.” Now that she’s training for a marathon, she feels confident. Series 10 would be a great gift for yourself or anyone who trains as hard as she does. “With its big, thin screen, titanium finish, and upgraded sensors that can track everything from mile time to REM sleep, you definitely want it.”Sleep time. ”
Strength Training: Bally’s Gift Card
“Strength training, boot camp-style workouts have been a staple of my life for years, and I’ve taken over 800 classes under the maxim, so I’m still going strong (just kidding),” Kinonen says. talks about Barry’s Bootcamp. “That means I will be happy to receive gifts in the form of Barry gift cards this holiday season and beyond (FYI, my birthday is in January!).”
All Workouts: Owala FreeSip
Kinonen calls it his “emotional support water bottle,” and he always carries it with him when he trains. “The Owala FreeSip is similar to a 2-in-1 bottle in that it has a straw and a spout so you can drink at the same time,” she says. “Owara’s straw is also inside the bottle, so you feel protected from anything floating in the air. The handle on the top makes it super easy to carry, perfect for training, the office, flying or traveling. It’s convenient.”
All Workouts: Calpak Luka Duffel
Although it’s not a gym bag, McGrath always uses the Luca duffle for her studio workouts. “It has a separate compartment to store your dance shoes, plenty of space to store ankle weights or resistance bands for Pilates or barre, and several interior pockets to store post-workout products like deodorant and wipes.” , and the outside side pocket is the size of a water bottle, and a yoga mat slides perfectly between the handles, she says. “This is really a weekend bag, so you can throw in a few outfit options in case you need to change after the gym. And if you’re heading straight to work, you can throw in some outside tech. You can slip your laptop into your pocket.”
Recovery: High Dose Infrared Sauna Blanket
higher dose
infrared sauna blanket
“After my at-home Pilates workout, I love curling up in the HigherDose infrared sauna blanket,” says Hussain. “It’s super warm and helps soothe sore, tired muscles. It also doubles up as a super-thermal blanket on cold days when you want to work up a sweat without doing a strenuous workout.”
Recovery: Therabody JetBoots Prime
If your legs regularly hurt after workouts (*raises hand*), I highly recommend JetBoots Prime by Therabody, which uses air to compress your legs, ankles, and feet to improve circulation. Not only will you feel really great after a hard workout, but you can also fold it up for easy storage.
Recovery: Loop Dream Earplugs
While sleep is important for your overall health and workout recovery (obviously!), “If you live on a busy one-way street in New York City and plan to attend a 6:30 a.m. workout class,” “Even if you stand upright, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get a restful night’s sleep,” he says. Gutierrez. She relies on these earplugs for eight hours a day. “Not only does it drown out all the honking and hustle and bustle outside the window, but it also leaves you feeling refreshed in the morning without the temptation to snooze and forget your workout.”
