One thing about athletes: they’re serious about their sport, from hitting new PBs to protein shake formulas and tracking their performance to a nanosecond with sports tech. Knowing this, they deserve gifts that match their dedication and drive.
Whether you’re shopping for a marathon runner, a tennis fanatic, or someone living in workout gear, you’re in the right place for some inspiration.
We’ve scoured the internet for the best gifts for athletic guys and girls who love to train and flex their muscles, bringing you a list of items designed with athletes in mind, from workout accessories to fun decor pieces.
1. A ‘Sweat Bag’
Don’t be put off by the name — the ‘Sweat Bag’ from La Pochette is an elegant, sophisticated bit of kit designed to help keep gym-goers organized and clean after an intensive workout. This bag is made to store workout gear hygienically, featuring an anti-microbial lining to block out odors and extra pockets for shower room essentials like deodorant and shampoo.
2. Hands-Free Dog Walking Belt
If they can frequently be found getting some extra steps in on a dog walk (or run), a hands-free belt lead is the ideal gift. Athletes are always looking for ways to level up their everyday routines and a dog walking belt allows them to do just that by making it easier for them to run alongside their four-legged friend while still maintaining control.
3. Safety Gear For Late-Night Runs
For avid runners, protective, neon gear is always a win — especially if they’re keen on running after work or early in the morning when it’s dark out.
If they’re not afraid of a funky pattern or a splash of color, some reflective neon socks would make ideal for athletic women or guys who love making a statement, like these from Puresport.
4. Gym Membership
If they’ve truly exhausted their home workout setup and have been meaning to get started at the gym, why not give them a helping hand with a membership (or money towards it)? Sometimes, even the most dedicated athletes could use a gentle nudge.
5. Resistance Band Set
For the athlete who’s favorite day is always leg day, a set of sturdy, reliable resistance bands will make for an excellent gift. Anyone who uses equipment like this regularly will tell you that quality is key and that, yes, you can feel the difference.
For the serious athletes, choose options that they can level up with, like these ones from Amazon that come in 5 strength levels.
6. Medal Holder
Celebrate their wins with a wall-mounted medal holder to display the evidence of their achievements. The perfect gift for the athlete who just can’t help but keep bringing home the gold (or at least making the podium every time), a medal holder is an excellent way to show them how proud you are of their achievements.
7. Portable Blender
For the athlete on the go, a portable blender for their healthy smoothies and protein shakes is the perfect time-saving gift. If you’re buying for someone special and willing to stretch your budget, the Ninja Blast 22oz Max from Target is top of the range with 3 settings to either blend, crush, or smoothie, as well as an impressive 3-hour runtime.
With a portable handle, they can kiss goodbye to settled sediment at the bottom of their smoothie cup — blending whenever they need a top-up before a workout and guaranteeing maximum freshness.
8. Inspirational Reading
On those all-important rest days, nothing beats curling up with a good book, even if you are a pro athlete who’d much rather be stretching your legs on the track. If they’ve got all the kit already, why not give them some inspiring reading material to sink their teeth into and fuel their next big challenge?
As an example, why not try the following titles:
- Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike – Phil Knight
- Relentless Secrets of the Sporting Elite – Alistair Brownlee
9. Boot Bag
If they’re always coming home with muddy boots and leaving them in the hallway, or if their dirty trainers constantly ruin the carpets in your car, a boot bag is the solution. A fun but practical gift, a customized boot bag is ideal for transporting wet, muddy, or dirty running shoes that have seen better days.
10. Personalized Shoe Lace Tags
The perfect gift for a runner, personalized shoelace tags let the athlete in your life carry a little piece of you with them — even serving as a good luck charm when they need it most. Whether you go with their name, your name, or a motivational message, custom shoelace tags make a cool, understated gift for an athlete that’s sleek and deeply sentimental.
11. Massage Gun
A tried-and-tested classic, you can’t go wrong gifting an athlete a massage gun. A handheld tool that helps ease aches and soothe pain? Ding ding ding — winner!
If your budget isn’t quite as flexible as they are during their warm-up stretches, there are plenty of affordable options on the market, too, including non-electric rollers.
12. Motivational Posters
Being an athlete isn’t just a hobby; it’s a lifestyle. Their athletic mindset influences everything — from what they wear and eat to how they decorate their space (and we can definitely help with that last one).
At Displate, we have an impressive range of sports-themed metal posters — the perfect gift for any athlete who appreciates something thoughtful and on-theme. From gym motivation to basketball stars, our designs fit perfectly in a home gym, bedroom, office, or even the kitchen.
13. Healthy Cookbooks
Being an athlete is a lifestyle that extends to every lunch, breakfast, and dinner. That’s why a cookbook designed to help them prepare meals that support their healthy habits makes such a thoughtful gift.
If they’re prioritizing protein, The Shredded Chef by Michael Matthews — packed with 125 recipes for building muscle, getting lean, and staying healthy — is a solid pick. Prefer to keep workouts intense but meal prep simple? Janet Douglas’ Super-Simple High Protein Low Carb Diet Cookbook for Beginners is perfect for athletic newbies looking to take the stress out of planning.
14. Pamper and Recovery Gifts
It can’t be training day every day. Every athlete knows that R and R is just as important as pushing yourself to make sustained gains and avoid injury. Gifts that help your sporty loved one unwind and relax are sure to be a hit, especially pamper gifts like muscle soak for a post-workout bath and joint rub to help soothe aches and pains.
Why not take it one step further and make them a recovery hamper? Seek out their favorite products and scents and put together a basket with some healthy treats, lotions, balms, and body sprays.
15. For The Work From Home Athletes
Lastly, we’ve got the perfect gifts for the athletes who work from home or in an office. They say “sitting is the new smoking”, and sitting at a desk for multiple hours a day doesn’t lend itself too easily to the athlete lifestyle. So, lend your friend a hand and keep them on their toes with gifts like a walking pad or a wobble board. If they have a standing desk, these bits of kit are ideal for maintaining movement while working.
Gold-Medal Decor At Displate
At Displate, our metal posters are sure to top the gift-giving podium. From motivational quotes to high-res images of world-class athletes, we’ve got the perfect decor for any sports enthusiast — whether it’s for their bedroom, home gym, or office walls.
Check out our full range of sports posters today or, for more gifting inspiration, check out the Displate blog.
