Gift Ideas
The perfect gift for someone starting out
A gym membership without the gear is half a gift. Here are our top picks by sport and budget.
Quick picks
Under $50, by sport
One practical gift for every sport, all under $50.
- Gym
Under Armour Undeniable 5.0 Duffel
The bag every gym-goer needs before anything else.
$45–55 Dick's Sporting Goods → - Pilates
Tavi Noir Savvy Grip Socks 3-pack + Fit Simplify Resistance Bands
Studio-ready from class one.
$45–59 combined Amazon → - Running
Balega Hidden Comfort Socks + FlipBelt Classic
The two things that make running actually comfortable.
$42–50 combined Amazon / REI → - Home Gym
Fit Simplify Resistance Bands + TriggerPoint GRID Foam Roller
Train and recover. The foundation of any home setup.
$45–59 combined Amazon / Dick's → - Pickleball
Franklin X-40 Outdoor Balls 3-Pack + Niupipo Graphite Paddle
Paddle and balls in one gift. Everything they need to play their first game.
$40–55 combined Amazon →
Gym
A gym membership without a bag is an excuse not to go. The gear below removes that excuse.
Our top gift pick
Under Armour Undeniable 5.0 Duffel
The most-recommended beginner gym bag on Reddit. Water-resistant, holds everything including shoes, and built to survive daily commutes.
All budget levels
- Budget
BlenderBottle Classic 28oz + Rainleaf Microfiber Gym Towel
Under $35
$25–32 Buy on Amazon → - Mid-Range
Under Armour Undeniable 5.0 Duffel
$45–55
- Premium
Aer Gym Duffel 3
$145–165
$145–165 Buy at Aer.io →
Pilates
Most beginners show up to their first Pilates class without grip socks and get turned away at the door.
Our top gift pick
Manduka PRO Lite 4.7mm Mat
The mat upgrade serious practitioners use. Dense, grippy, and built to last years of daily class use without compressing.
$78–88
Buy at REI →All budget levels
- Budget
Tavi Noir Savvy Grip Socks 3-pack + Fit Simplify Resistance Bands
Under $60
$45–59 Buy on Amazon → - Mid-Range
Manduka PRO Lite 4.7mm Mat
$78–88
$78–88 Buy at REI → - Premium
Lululemon The Mat 5mm + Alo Yoga Warrior Socks
$126–152
$126–152 Buy at Lululemon / Alo →
Running
The right shoes prevent the injuries that stop most beginners in week three. Know their size and this decision is easy.
Our top gift pick
Brooks Ghost 17
The most consistently recommended beginner running shoe across running communities. Neutral cushion, smooth ride, works for most gaits.
$130–140
Buy at Dick's Sporting Goods →All budget levels
- Budget
Balega Hidden Comfort Socks + FlipBelt Classic
Under $50
$42–50 Buy on Amazon / REI → - Mid-Range
Brooks Ghost 17
$130–140
$130–140 Buy at Dick's Sporting Goods → - Premium
HOKA Clifton 10
$145–160
$145–160 Buy at REI →
Home Gym
The best home gym gift is something they will use every session, not a machine that becomes a clothes rack.
Our top gift pick
Bowflex Results Series 552 SelectTech Dumbbells
The gift that replaces an entire dumbbell rack. Adjusts from 5 to 52.5lbs in seconds. The kind of gift that gets mentioned every time they train.
$280–320
Buy at Dick's Sporting Goods →All budget levels
- Budget
Fit Simplify Resistance Bands + TriggerPoint GRID Foam Roller
Under $60
$45–59 Buy on Amazon / Dick's → - Mid-Range
TriggerPoint GRID Foam Roller + Perfect Fitness Multi-Gym Doorframe Bar
$65–80
$70–90 Buy on Amazon / Dick's → - Premium
Bowflex Results Series 552 SelectTech Dumbbells
$280–320
$280–320 Buy at Dick's Sporting Goods →
Pickleball
Most beginners borrow a paddle for their first few games. Be the person who gives them one worth keeping.
Our top gift pick
Vatic Pro Prism Flash Paddle
The most recommended first serious paddle on r/pickleball. Raw carbon fiber face, correct weight, and a price that does not sting if they are still figuring out if they love the sport.
$80–90
Buy on Amazon →All budget levels
- Budget
Niupipo Graphite Paddle + Franklin X-40 Outdoor Balls 3-Pack
Under $50
$40–55 Buy on Amazon → - Mid-Range
Vatic Pro Prism Flash Paddle
$80–90
$80–90 Buy on Amazon → - Premium
Honolulu J2NF Paddle
$195–210
$195–210 Buy at pickleheads.com →