By day, I’m Allure’s senior beauty editor, writing and editing stories on the latest developments in the beauty industry. By night—or sometimes early the next morning—I’m working out. Exercising is one way I prioritize and invest in myself. Whether I’m going for a slow jog around my neighborhood or sweating profusely in a HIIT class, being active clears my head and gives me a sense of accomplishment.
Jesa Marie Calaor
My colleagues share the sentiment, so we put together a list of the best gifts for your active friends, no matter where they are on their fitness journey. Maybe your pals are really into boot camp classes. Perhaps they’re training for a marathon. Does your friend get nervous going to Pilates classes? Read on for more.
Need more gift-spiration? Check out our ultimate holiday gift guide for 2025.
Floor Workouts: Bala Balance Ball
Courtesy of Jesa Marie Calaor
Why We Love It: “I’ve been going to physical therapy for over a year to rehabilitate an injury, and my doctor emphasized the importance of staying flexible and building core strength outside of our sessions. I wouldn’t be able to do that without a balance ball, and I’ve been loving my Bala. The mesh fabric exterior makes it easy to grip, which is perfect for core exercises, and it’s sturdy enough that I never feel like it’s going to pop or that I’ll slip off while sitting or stretching on it. Even better is that it’s so cute, giving your home a modern, boutique-studio vibe instead of a sweaty, garage-gym atmosphere.” —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior beauty editor
At-Home Pilates: Balanced Body Metro IQ Reformer
Courtesy of Jesa Marie Calaor
“I’ve been wanting to attend Pilates regularly, but my injury has kept me from keeping up with regular classes (and my wallet can’t handle private lessons). Balanced Body Metro IQ Reformer has been a solid solution. It’s equipped with what I need for a productive workout: a soft and sturdy carriage and headrest that support my neck and spine. With guidance from my physical therapist, I’ve been able to use it for slow (yet sweat-inducing) workouts that don’t cause pain. Best part: This model is so lightweight and easy to store, fitting snugly in the corner of my home gym.”—Calaor
Recovery: Bearaby Warmables Bundle
Courtesy of Jesa Marie Calaor
Why We Love It: “This bundle is a must-have for anyone just starting out on their fitness journey or easing back into working out, like me. I am careful not to over-extend myself to the point of injury, but soreness is inevitable after weight training. This bundle includes options to help soothe them: a slightly weighted water bottle, neck pad, and lap pad that you can heat up in the microwave or stick in the freezer for your preferred temperature. They feel so good when you lay them across achy areas. I particularly love the bottle, which I use when I have lower back soreness or stomach cramping.”—Calaor
Indoor Cardio: Forme Power+ Bra
Courtesy of Sarah Kinonen
Why We Love It: “The number of compliments I’ve gotten while wearing this sports bra (yes, sports bra) is honestly jarring. I’ve even had someone stop me mid-run on the treadmill because they were so intrigued. I mean, the tank-like top is cute and all, but what’s going on? I think it has to do with the fact that a certain singer has worn the bra a few times, but also because of its patent-pending, posture-correcting technology. I can’t say that my posture has drastically improved since adding the top to my workout wardrobe, but every time I wear it, I’m constantly second-guessing my habitual slumping, and I adjust as needed. I really love the design itself, with the cropped fit and oversized shoulder straps. It really is cute!” —Sarah Kinonen, associate beauty director
Strength Training: Barry’s Gift Card
Courtesy of Sarah Kinonen
Why We Love It: “The strength-training, boot camp-style workout has been a staple in my life for years, and with 1,000-plus Barry’s classes under my proverbial belt, I’m still going strong (pun intended). That means I’d happily accept gifts in the form of Barry’s gift cards this holiday season and beyond (my birthday is in January, FYI!).”—Kinonen
All Workouts: Lululemon Define Jacket
Courtesy of Kassidy Silva
Why We Love It: “We all have that one friend who’s constantly hitting a new boutique fitness class that you’ve never heard of, or taking a hike in some far-flung place. This is the perfect gift for them, or you, if you want to emulate them. It’s versatile, durable (no holes after 10 years!), and lightweight while still keeping you warm. Whether I’m going for a walk along the Hoboken waterfront with my daughter or warming up in spin class, the Lululemon Define Jacket remains one of my most versatile workout pieces.”—Kassidy Silva, social director
Wellness: Apple Watch Series 11
Courtesy of Kassidy Silva
Why We Love It: “Never underestimate rest as part of your fitness journey. While I use my Apple Series 11 Watch to track daily steps, listen to my Peloton guided runs, and keep an eye on my stress levels, the biggest bonus is that it monitors my sleep. Getting any rest with my one-year-old can make it challenging to open that app in the morning, and while my score has been lacking, the app has helped me set realistic goals for the day and gauge whether I’m giving my body enough time to recover from my last workout.
“Whether you’re gifting for the gymgoer in your life or a loved one who needs to monitor their health a bit more closely, the Apple Watch is a versatile go-to present for the holidays. I always add a few colorful bands to give the gift more personality.”—Silva
Running: Nike Vomero Premium
Courtesy of Katie Gunderman
Why We Love It: “These are my favorite running shoes. I have them in Blue Tint, Sail Coconut Milk, and Hyper Pink. They look great, make me feel fast, and are incredibly comfortable—especially if you like a stacked shoe. They’re lightweight, offer a nice boost with every stride, and have excellent cushioning with no break-in period needed. I also wear them for long days on my feet. I’ve run in them at least twice a week since September, and they’ve never let me down. They fit true to size, so if you’re between sizes, I wouldn’t size up.”—Katie Gunderman, associate social media manager
Strength Training: Nike Metcon 6
Courtesy of Katie Gunderman
Why We Love It: “I have recommended the Nike Metcons to at least five of my friends, and all of them have loved them, like my friend who was a beginner lifter and also needed shoes for HIIT workouts, an occasional short run, and more. My fellow college-athlete friends also love these shoes for our gym sessions because they are truly so reliable for a range of activities. I’m currently on my second pair, and bought the first when I was a college athlete four years ago. They give you great stability in the gym while lifting, but also give you support if you are doing HIIT workouts, sprints, and mobility work. They come in a handful of colorways and are my go-tos for the gym and group classes.”—Gunderman
All Workouts: Free People Quilted Carryall Bag
Courtesy of Katie Gunderman
Why We Love It: “It’s the perfect size, fits everything I need, isn’t too big, and it has little zipper pockets where I can stash my jewelry and separate any sweaty clothes. I call it my Mary Poppins bag because I’m always shocked at how much I can squeeze in it. I can easily fit shoes, a change of clothes, and my makeup pouch. This is also my bag for long weekends and short trips. I love the long crossbody strap because it’s so easy to throw over my shoulder when I’m on the go.”—Gunderman
Recovery: Theragun Mini in Alpine Green
Courtesy of Katie Gunderman
Why We Love It: “This massage gun is the perfect size. It delivers the power of the larger models without being too heavy or difficult to travel with. I can really feel the benefits after an intense workout (I’m less tight and sore the next day) and even after a long day at my desk, because it helps loosen up my shoulders and back after slouching.”—Gunderman
Long-Distance Running: Bandit Zip Front Race Crop and Striped 5′ Compression Shorts
Courtesy of Katie Gunderman
Why We Love It: “Every cool girl who runs has a Bandit set (or wishes she did). It’s a Brooklyn-based company that wants you to PR and look good doing it. Their sets come in fun, bright colorways and offer compression and support while you work out. The features are targeted to performance running, offering places to hold your gels and silicone grippers around the legs of the shorts so they don’t ride up.”—Gunderman
Endurance Training: On Endurance Bra Zip in Spirulina
Courtesy of Kathryne Hall
Why We Love It: “As I look to get serious about building strength and endurance in my 40s, I need both support and motivation. After years of settling for lower-quality sports bras, splurging on the On Endurance Bra feels special when I need a little help getting motivated. The encapsulated cups and long sides provide ample support for intense running or jumping, and the spirulina color is a beautiful green that’s perfect for the holidays. This is a great gift for both experienced athletes and to support someone who’s just getting started.”—Kathryne Hall, visuals director
Wellness: Oura Ring
Why We Love It: “I’ve been wearing the Oura Ring for a while now, and it’s basically become my tiny, discreet reality check. It tracks my sleep, heart rate, temperature shifts, and daily activity, then quietly nudges me when something’s off. And I won’t lie—people either swear by it or say it stresses them out (honestly, that’s true of any health tracker). Sure, seeing a night of terrible REM after a couple of drinks isn’t fun, but the data doesn’t lie, and it’s helped me spot some real gaps in my routine.
