2023 Holiday Gift Guide

I’m back with my holiday gift guide for the fitness enthusiast! I hope this guide helps you to find the perfect gift for the gym goer in your life - whether thats a loved one or yourself.

The home gym basics

If you’re hoping to sneak some workouts in at home, these are my top most essential purchases. Weights and benches can often be found used these days on Marketplace and Craigslist as well.

Small loop resistance bands
My go to resistance bands for lower body warmups, accessory movements, and travel workouts. Listed at $9.93 right now!

Long loop resistance bands
Perfect for practicing pull ups, upper body warmups and travel workouts.

Powerblocks Adjustable Dumbbells
These are reliable, well made adjustable dumbbells. They offer a 24 lb pair and a 50 lb pair (with the option to expand up to 90 lb).

Home exercise bench
This is the piece I get asked about most. If you’re still working out at home and haven’t gotten a bench, this is the time. The 12” side provides a lower, stable step in addition to the 16” high edge that serves as a decent home exercise bench. The foam is sturdy, but light, so it’s easy to move around and store anywhere. Trust me, a bench feels much different than just using the edge of your couch forever.

Foam balance pad
You wouldn’t think of this as super essential, but I use it constantly. It’s great for balance exercises, but it also works well as a comfortable spot to rest a knee during stretches and kneeling exercises. I also often use it in combination with the home exercise bench for box squats.

Home TRX system
This more affordable home grade system is perfect for anchoring to a pull up bar, doorframe, or ceiling hook.

A high quality, custom length jumprope
I know you can get a rope for like $5, but trust me this makes a difference. The handles, bearings and custom weight and length will help you to nail your rope technique! Jump rope is a great option for cardio anywhere - it takes barely any space in your suitcase. Plus, you can choose the color and replace the cable anytime (much cheaper than getting a new rope).

Advanced home gym equipment

If you’re getting serious about home workouts and really building your home gym, you might add these in!

Pull-up bar
Doorframe pull up bars are cheap but they really don’t work well. If you have the space to install a wall mounted rack in your home, garage or yard this is a great affordable one. You will get more use out of those pull-up bands too. The bar is also super useful for hanging core exercises. It can serve as an anchor point for bands, rings, or TRX as well.

Kettlebells
These are the kettlebells that I stock in my gym. They are way nicer to hold than some of the cheaper ones at stores like Target and Amazon and they ship free! Start with a moderate weight one that you’d feel comfortable swinging for at least 8 repetitions. For most of my clients I’d suggest between 25 and 45 lbs. For wrist and shoulder stability exercises you might want to try one in the 5-12 lb range, too.

Rower
I think the rower is the best home cardio equipment. Its much different than running, which you can just do outside. It also serves as a a great warmup, won’t bother your downstairs neighbors, and it can double as equipment for thinks like pikes, hamstring curls, and other core exercises. Bonus: it an be stored vertically.

Apparel

Gym shoes

Many people new to training come in wearing running shoes, but a proper training shoe can really make a difference. I have a whole post on this. Basically, the flatter, harder sole and the wider toe box make your lifts more balanced and powerful than they would be in a squishy running shoe with a smaller toe box.

Nike metcon are my current favorites. For those transitioning from training in their running shoes, Nike Free x Metcon. The free series is a bit more of a hybrid shoe while the full metcon is a bit stiffer and better for lifting focused workouts. I love the regular metcon but it can feel intense if you’re used to running shoes.

I usually wear a size 7.5-8 in casual shoes, but these run small so I order a women’s 9. Typically you do need to size up in running shoes and sometimes in trainers too! Your feet just need more space.

There are a few new brands I want to try, but I can’t speak to them. Popular training shoes include: Strike Movement Trainer, NoBull Trainer, and TYR Trainer

Favorite leggings

Vuori everyday leggings are my favorite legging overall. I wear a size small. They don’t fall down, they look good, and they hold up to me washing them every single week. They’re about $90 but they’ll give you a discount on your first purchase.

Aerie RealMe Leggings are my favorite budget legging. I wear a size small (long inseam). They’re made of a thinner material but not at all see through, sort of a barely there feeling. They hold up well and are flattering, especially considering they’re almost always on sale for something between $26 and $35. I also love the extended size range and length options.

Favorite sports bra (for small chest!)

Lululemon Free to be Wild bra. I’m a B cup and wear a size 6. Don’t come to me for more supportive options, I’m not the one to ask.

Favorite hoodie

Lululemon Scuba Quarter Zip. This and the bra are the only two things I still buy at Lululemon, since they discontinued my favorite t-shirt. I find it so satisfying that the front pouch pocket has little secure inside pockets for keys, phone and cards.

Suggested Reading

If you need more ideas, I have a few older guides (2022 guide, 2020 guide, 2021 guide, as well as my guide on building out a home gym (at a range of budgets)