Why You Can Trust CNET Affordable Fitness Gifts Under $50 for Your Favorite Workout Warriors
Here are the best fitness gifts on the market that won’t break your wallet.
Looking for a great exercise-themed gift for a loved one or friend? If money is no object, you could always splash out on a new Apple Watch or smart home gym, but those aren't the only kinds of fitness gifts your workout-loving pal will flip over. There's a large variety of affordable fitness gear to choose from, whether you're on the hunt for workout equipment or accessories.
From a durable reusable water bottle to all sorts of gear that'll enhance any type of exercise session, we've compiled a list of the best fitness gifts for under $50. Whether your giftee prefers working out at the local gym, in the comfort of their own home or outside, there are loads of good stuff to sift through below.
When I tested reusable water bottles, the Corkcicle Sport Canteen was one of my favorites, not only because of its design but also because I found it to be versatile enough for home and gym use. Corkcicle offers plenty of colors to choose from, the distinctive bottle design makes it easy to grip, and the quick-sip cap prevents spills. The bottle does a good job of keeping water cold, too.
A stability ball is an affordable piece of fitness equipment that can be used for core workouts and modifying other exercises. They come in different sizes, which you can choose according to your height. They don't take up much room, so you can store one in the corner of any room without it getting in the way.
Adding some core sliders to a workout routine is bound to make full-body exercises feel even more challenging. The great thing about this piece of equipment is that it's cheap and portable so you can take it to the gym or carry it with you while traveling. Synergee's Core Sliders are $10 and are dual-sided so you can use them on carpets or on hardwood floors.
Using a pair of core sliders makes it easy to turn your mountain climbers, knee-ins, lunges, planks and hamstring curls into a full-body workout. They're also low-impact so they're suitable even if you're just getting back into an exercise routine.
If you're looking for an affordable protein shaker, look no further than Smartshake's Revive shaker. CNET named it one of the best protein shakers on the market, and for good reason. The Smartshake Revive Shaker is made up of BPA- and phthalate-free plastic and holds 25 ounces of liquid. It also has a compartment around the base where you can separately store protein powder while you're on the go. This keeps your dry ingredients separate from the liquid in the bottle in case you aren't planning on mixing it right away.
Unlike traditional protein shakers, this one doesn't have a shaker ball. Instead, it has a mixing net at the bottom of the cap which provides a quiet and smooth shake every time. If you're shopping for a friend who lives off protein shakes, they'll appreciate the design and functionality of this shaker.
Any form of outdoor exercise requires good visibility. When the sun is at its brightest, protecting your eyes is key. That's why Goodr's A Ginger's Soul Sunglasses are an ideal present for the outdoor fitness enthusiast in your life.
Whether they like running, hiking, biking or walking, it's important to have a solid pair of sunglasses on hand while exercising outdoors. Goodr sunglasses are non-reflective and provide UV400 protection that blocks 100% of harmful UVA and UVB rays. Additionally, they have no bounce so they're great for plenty of high-intensity activities. There are also plenty of styles to choose from so you're bound to find the right look for under $30.
Doing cardio doesn't necessarily mean you have to hop on a treadmill or elliptical machine. Jumping rope can help get your heart rate up quickly and is an inexpensive way to squeeze in a quick workout. Renpho's Smart Jump Rope is the perfect gift for someone on your list who isn't keen on traditional cardio.
When you connect the Smart Jump Rope to the Renpho Fit app (available for iOS and Android), you can track your reps, calories burned and the duration of your workout. The LCD screen on the handle can read your skip time and total number of skips even when you aren't using the app. This makes for an ideal portable form of exercise even while traveling.
If your giftee is a powerhouse when it comes to squats and deadlifts, these neoprene knee sleeves are a must. They offer a great combination of compression and support, helping to better distribute pressure and giving you that extra oomph for serious weightlifting.
If you have a friend who spends their weekends running races, they've probably earned plenty of finisher medals. To help them display their accomplishments, a thoughtful gift idea is Gone For a Run's BibFolio Plus Race Bib and Medal Display. Your gift recipient will be able to proudly show off their medals and race bibs from races they've participated in throughout the years.
This display can hold up to 24 medals and 100 race bibs, which is plenty if your gift recipient is a recreational runner. If you need space for additional medals, Gone For A Run also sells an extension bar that can be easily added to the existing one.