15 Feel-Good Gifts For Your Favourite Fitness Buff

My favourite line in the Netflix series The Four Seasons was when one of the characters wonders whether her entire personality is squats. (Clearly I'm not the only one; you can buy a print with this quote on it from Etsy.) I've had similar thoughts re: my own personality and running, especially around marathon season.

Everyone has a fitness fanatic in their lives; here are 15 useful gifts I guarantee they’ll love. 

Supporo Knee-High Compression Socks, $34

These non-prescription compression socks from a Quebec-based brand are easy to roll on and I can personally attest that they help legs feel fresher after a long run.

Wakewater Electrolytes in Watermelon, $24 for 10 single-serve packets

If they water down their Gatorade because it’s too sweet, they will love this deliciously salty—in a good way—made-in-Canada electrolyte powder.

Hettas Alma Tempo, $155 (on sale!)

This designed-in-Canada, designed-for-women plated running shoe is perfect for shorter, zippier runs. (One caveat: this shoe—pardon the pun—runs small, so Hettas recommends purchasing a half size up from your regular size.) Read more about the female-founded brand’s inspiring backstory.

Knix Longevity Sports Bra, $68, and HiTouch High Rise Legging, $90

I own and love this matching set from Knix. The fabric is lightweight with just the right amount of compression, and both the sports bra and pants are incredibly comfortable. (One note: consider sizing up; my medium set fits on the smaller side.)

Jublee Skin CBD Bath Salts, $20

There’s nothing better than a hot bath after a chilly run. I’m not sure whether the CBD in these Quebec-made salts increases the relaxation factor, but I absolutely love their divine pine-y scent. 

Apple Watch Series 11, from $549

If you know me, you know I love my Apple Watch. I use mine mainly for tracking my workouts, but there are countless other health and fitness features that make this device worth the splurge. The latest Series 11 iteration includes hypertension notifications, which send an alert if the watch detects signs of chronic high blood pressure, as well as Workout Buddy—audible, personalized coaching based on your fitness data.

Amazfit Helio Strap Fitness Tracker, $140

This screenless black band uses a sensor to monitor heart rate, blood oxygen, sleep quality and more, then sends this data to a partner app on your phone. It’s incredibly easy to set up and use, and its fitness tracking capabilities—especially given its price tag—are impressive. The Amazfit would make a perfect gift for someone who doesn’t need (or will never use) the bells and whistles of more expensive wearables. 

Shokz OpenRun Pro Bone Conduction Open-Ear Bluetooth Headphones, $160

Take it from me, there is nothing more annoying than fiddling with your ear buds during a sweaty run. This cordless headset sits close to—but not directly inside of—your ears. The sound quality is good and the comfort is excellent. I’ve run in mine for 4+ hours straight at a time without a second thought.

Peloton Bike+ with Peloton IQ, $2,545 (on sale!)

This is a pricey gift, but hear me out: if your household works out regularly, a Peloton will become cheaper than multiple gym memberships over time. I bought my Bike+ in 2020 and have never looked back—my husband and I have consistently used it several times a week for the past five years. I’m constantly impressed by the breadth of the programming (available through a monthly membership of $60); there are dozens of new classes each week across a wide range of modalities—including yoga, strength and meditation—plus a deep archive. My go-to workout is Bike Bootcamp, which combines cycling with strength training. The newest iteration of Bike+ comes with Peloton IQ, which uses a movement-tracking camera to give real-time feedback (and corrections) while you’re strength training—including when it’s time to increase your weights. How cool is that?

Scoria Biggest Botanicals Cork Yoga Mat, $145 (on sale!)

This oversize natural cork yoga mat—from a female-founded, Calgary-based brand—becomes grippier with heat, meaning it’s perfect for hot yoga. (One caveat: it weighs 5 kg, so it’s on the heavier side.) Scoria also donates a portion of its proceeds to support programming for kids in Indigenous communities through Right to Play.

Aesop Herbal Deodorant Roll-On, $47 for 50 mL

Is deodorant a weird gift? Maybe! But I, for one, would be delighted to receive this luxe roll-on, which smells darkly herbaceous. It’s perfect for tossing in their gym bag; I prefer the roll-on to the spray as it’s easier to control the application. 

ClassPass Gift Certificate, from $25

If they love trying new fitness classes, they need to try ClassPass. Various tiered memberships let them take classes at participating gyms around their neighbourhood (and around the world, wherever ClassPass operates). In Canada, ClassPass is available in most major cities—check the site before purchasing to confirm availability; as well, note that Halifax and Winnipeg are coming soon!

Form Smart Swim 2 goggles, $269 (on sale!)

The smart swim goggles that our reviewer tried and loved in 2023 are now available in an updated model. Swimmers receive real-time metrics (including speed and stroke count) in the pool, with post-swim analysis available in the partner app. Training plans and more than 1,500 swim workouts are available on-demand through an optional $12 monthly membership. 

The Peace Labs Peace Balm in Fresh Rain, $45 for 50 mL

Help them ease their tight muscles with this cooling menthol and camphor roll-on from a female-founded Canadian brand. It’s available in a variety of scents; we’re partial to Fresh Rain, which has floral and citrus notes.

Auclair VO2 Max Running Gloves, $65

These windproof, Thinsulate-insulated running gloves from a Canadian brand will keep your favourite runner’s hands warm while also helping them keep on pace, thanks to an opening through which they can easily check their watch.