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Buying the best gift for bodybuilder or other fitness enthusiasts doesn’t have to be as difficult as you may think it is.
You’ll probably want to avoid sugary treats and gift vouchers for a local restaurant, especially if they’re in a cutting phase prior to a competition.
So, what are the best bodybuilding gifts?
Below we’ve come up with some great gift ideas that cover a range of budgets, so you’ll be sure to find the ideal gift for the bodybuilder in your life. Whether you’re buying for valentine’s day, Father’s Day or the holiday season, the below suggestions will work for all fitness lovers who are into their strength training
Best Gift For Bodybuilder – Low Cost
The suggestions below range from a low to medium budget and with plenty of options to choose from your sure to find something perfect for that bodybuilder in your life.
Meal Prep Bag
Bodybuilders tend to eat several times a day and when they’re out and about they want to keep their meals fresh and in once place. This is where a meal prep bag comes in really handy.
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A meal prep bag is essentially a portable lunch box that has several compartments designed to hold their meals and a couple of protein shakers. There are many different styles and sizes, all of which vary in cost so be sure to do some research to find the best bag for your bodybuilding friend.
Magazine Subscription
There are some really good publications that cover everything to do with bodybuilding, powerlifting, nutrition, training methods and much more.
By purchasing a yearly subscription to one of the below magazines, it’s easy to stay up to date with all the latest news within the bodybuilding and fitness community.
With subscriptions you tend to get both print and digital copies often with some bonus material!
- Muscular Development
- Muscle & Fitness (Flex merged with this publication back in 2019)
- Iron Man
You can even consider purchasing more vintage magazines second hand as these could make good collectibles.
As, whilst the below suggested magazines are no longer in circulation, they can certainly make for interesting reading. You’ll probably have to shop around on places such as Ebay and Etsy. Costs will vary and you can expect to pay more for older and rarer print editions.
- Health & Strength – Published between 1932 and 1986
- Bodybuilding World – Published between 1950’s to the 1980’s
- Your Physique – Published from 1940 to 1952
- Muscle Builder – Published from 1953 to 1980
Myofascial Tool
A myofascial release tool will help to get rid of muscle knots and relieve tightness to muscle fascia. Muscle fascia is a thin casing of connective tissue that covers the muscles. It can become tight when overworked, such as performing heavy reps in the gym.
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Good myofascial release tools include foam rollers and massage balls or sticks. Materials range from foam, through to plastic and the highest quality tools being made from stainless steel. These do vary in budget, but you can get some good options for a reasonable price.
We will split these tools into different categories to help you decide which is best
Muscle Scraping
Muscle scraping involves adding a lubricant to the skin and using a tool which is ‘scraped’ across the skin to promote better circulation and address soft tissue restrictions. This is a useful tool to optimize muscle function and reduce muscle imbalances, which can help enhance athletic performance.
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Trigger Point Ball
A trigger point ball is a handheld, floor standing or wall mounted tool designed to remove knots in tight and aching muscles. You are in complete control of the pressure applied by this tool and as such can increase the aggressiveness of the massage to remove stubborn knots.
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Back & Neck Stretcher
The benefit of a back and neck roller is that due to it’s larger diameter it is easy to roll up and down your back. The textured surface allows your spine and neck to sit in the grooves while improving muscle tightness allowing you to get on with doing what you love, working out!
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Cupping Therapy Kit
Cupping dates back hundreds of years and is a form of therapy designed to increase blood flow and alleviate muscle tightness and soreness. Whilst it doesn’t carry much in the way of scientifically backed evidence many people report the benefits of this ancient practice.
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A cupping set usually comprises of suction cups of different sizes made from either glass or plastic and a pump. The cups are positioned on different parts of the body using either heat or suction. They are then left in place to work their magic. Keep in mind that they often leave angry red marks where the cups have been in place which fade over several days.
Training Shoes
Even though many people wear regular trainers or sneakers to the gym, buying dedicated footwear can have its benefits. If your bodybuilder friend regularly performs powerlifting movements such as squatting and deadlifting, proper weightlifting shoes can improve ankle mobility, allowing for a full range of motion when lifting.
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At first glance they may look similar to running shoes, but weightlifting shoes have a more rigid sole with no cushioning which again makes them the perfect choice for certain exercises. Just make sure you buy the right size!
Pinch Balls Or Blocks
Pinch blocks and balls can be a great staple in a bodybuilder’s gym bag. As part of grip strength training, improving your pinch can carry over to other lifts such as pull ups and the farmers walk.
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They are usually sold in pairs of different widths with carabiners so that you can attach them to things such as a power rack or kettlebells.
Blender
A good blender is perfect for mixing smooth protein shakes with no lumps. Aside from protein shakes, a dedicated bodybuilder will often consume green smoothies, so you’ll want to choose a blender that’s tough enough to blend up leafy veg and greens.
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There’s a wide range to choose from but a good, and cost effective, option is the Ninja Nutri Slim Blender. It can blend up protein powders, fresh and frozen fruits and veg and best of all, it’s portable so you can mix up your shake, pop the lid on and take it with you.
Weightlifting Belt
If you’re looking to buy a gift for an avid powerlifter or a bodybuilder who regularly enjoys some heavy lifting, you can’t go wrong with a weightlifting belt.
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Not only does it support the lower back during exercises such as a heavy deadlift, which helps to prevent injury, it also applies pressure to the abdomen giving you something to brace against, making this ideal when lifting heavy weights.
Gym Clothes
Most bodybuilders spend a significant amount of time in the gym, it’s pretty much their second home. With that in mind, good gym clothing is always a good choice.
There are a many fitness wear brands to choose from, many of which sell good quality clothes that will stand up to the rigours of heavy weightlifting. Opt for clothes that fit close to the body so that they don’t impede your friend when training.
Just a few gym clothing brands to start your search are listed below:
Fat Gripz
One of the more affordable options, fat gripz are ideal to use if you want to improve grip and forearm strength. Sold in pairs, they are cylindrical in shape and come in different thicknesses. They’re very light weight and won’t take up much space in your gym bag.
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Super easy to use, all you do is pop them over the barbell or dumbbell shaft and perform exercises as you normally would. People have reported better grip and great gains to arm strength and muscle mass when regularly using their fat gripz.
Acupressure Mat
An acupressure mat is a fantastic tool for helping to relieve muscle pain and speeds up muscle recovery after a heavy workout session. They can even help to improve sleep and energy levels.
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The mat itself is a little shorter than a standard exercise mat and is covered in little plastic spikes. Don’t be alarmed, they aren’t designed to puncture the skin as would acupuncture. Instead, the spikes apply firm pressure to meridian lines along the back, neck and shoulders.
MAG Grips
Mag Grips are a variety of different pull-down attachments designed to allow the user to effectively work the muscles of the back and arms. They are ergonomically designed so that exercises can be performed with correct form reducing the chance of injury when training.
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Each handle means you can perform a pull down or row movement with different grip styles, such as close grip or pronated grip. There are several different styles to choose from or you can purchase them all as a set.
Food Grill
Bodybuilders tend to eat quite a lot of food, so they like to keep their cooking simple, but it also has to be healthy. A versatile cooking grill is a great addition to their cooking utensils and, as they come in many different sizes, even a small kitchen can accommodate one.
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They feature non-stick plates positioned on an angle to drain away fat whilst cooking. They heat up quickly and also use less energy than other more conventional ovens and you can pretty much cook anything on them such as salmon and chicken.
Gym Bag
A new gym bag is a good choice especially if the one they currently use is looking a bit worn. There’s lots to choose from in different styles such as back packs and duffel bags. They will vary in quality and cost so do plenty of research before purchasing.
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Smart Water Bottle
So, we’re not talking a regular water bottle here but rather a bottle that has features such as regulating the temperature, tallying the amount being consumed throughout the day and even purifying water taken from your tap.
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Whilst you can expect to pay more for them when compared to generic water bottles, they are useful gadgets for bodybuilders who need to ensure they stay hydrated.
Best Gift For Bodybuilder – Blow The Budget
If money is no object and you’re going out to impress, then consider some of the below gift ideas.
Massage Gun
After a heavy weight training session, it’s common for muscle soreness to set in. However, a massage gun can help to alleviate tight and sore muscles, increasing blood flow, helping them to recover faster.
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A massage gun is a handheld device that’s designed to replicate a deep tissue massage. They tend to offer different intensity settings with some having self-heating heads. You simply hold it over sore muscles, and it repeatedly applies pressure helping to loosen them up.
Tickets to the Mr Olympia Event
The Mr Olympia is a yearly event usually held in Las Vegas, USA. Its main attractions are the bodybuilding competitions held over a weekend, from women’s bikini up to the heavy weight bodybuilders.
Winning the Mr Olympia is a highly coveted title commanding big prize money and you’ll get to see the most famous bodybuilders if you attend. They also have a range of exhibitors showcasing and selling things such as supplements, gym clothing and equipment.
Tickets range from a 1-day visit (be sure to pick the day when your favourite bodybuilder is competing) through to VIP packages where you can expect early access, priority seating and even the chance to meet the winners.
Fitness Tracker / Watch
A fitness tracker is wearable technology that looks very similar to a smart watch. However, aside from telling the time if can also provide data such as steps walked, calories burned, heart rate and even monitors sleep patterns and menstrual cycles. Some of the most popular trackers are the Fitbit and Apple Watch.
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Something to consider before buying is that some watches require subscriptions on top of the initial purchase price to access additional features. These can cost anywhere from $10 per month.
Wireless Headphones / Ear Buds
Most people nowadays like to train whilst listening to their favorite music, so a gift of some wireless headphones will certainly go down well.
You can get some low-cost options when it comes to wireless headphones but we’ve put this under the ‘blow the budget’ category as we’re talking about the decent ones which provide exceptional sound quality whilst cancelling out any noise.
You can either buy them as ear buds or headphones. The ear buds are much more discreet when compared to the headphones. Good options include the following:
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Ice Bath Tub
Cold water therapy is great for muscle recovery and joint inflammation making an ice bath tub a great gift idea for a serious lifter. A dedicated tub is designed to be fully insulated helping to keep the water at a stable temperature with a fully securing lid so that creepy crawlies can’t get in. They’re also large enough to account for different body shapes and sizes.
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However, they do of course need to be located outdoors so be sure that the recipient of this gift has a garden or other suitable space where they can regularly take the plunge.
Adjustable Dumbbell Set
Adjustable dumbbells are a great choice for any gym goer that is looking to create their own home or garage gym.
Instead of having multiple pairs of dumbbells taking up valuable space, adjustable dumbbells mean you need just one pair.
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The dumbbell is made up with various plates which can be added or removed depending on the weight required. Weight loads typically range from 2kg up to 32kg.
The only drawback to adjustable dumbbells is that they can be outgrown, so once you’re consistently lifting with the heaviest weight there’s no real way of progressing. Keep that in mind when buying a set as a gift, as they may find them a little too light for their fitness goals.
IPL Hair Remover
Whilst one of the more unique gifts, an IPL hair remover will be gratefully received by a competitive bodybuilder. Prior to show day bodybuilders will spend time and money on wax treatments or shaving to remove most of their body hair.
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This is because hair can obscure muscle definition under the bright lights on stage. Not only that, but a smooth body will also mean that their tanning treatment will apply and develop much better.
An IPL hair remover is a great way of ridding the body of unwanted hair and keeping it away. It can be done in the comfort of your home without suffering from redness, irritation, or ingrown hairs.
Photo Shoot
For a bodybuilder it takes a serious amount of hard work and dedication to get into shape and what better way to showcase their physique than by taking part in a photoshoot.
There are many photographers around who specialize in fitness photography so they can capture their subject at their very best. This is a good option for bodybuilders who are looking to gain sponsorship or try their hand at some fitness modelling.
What Not to Buy A Bodybuilder
Now that you have some great ideas for the perfect gift, let’s look at some you may want to avoid.
Protein Shaker
A protein shaker is certainly useful when mixing up your whey protein, but many supplement companies give these away for free when you buy from them. So, it’s going to look a bit cheapskate and like you’ve not put much thought into it.
Also, any dedicated bodybuilder is likely to have several of these taking up space in their cupboard already.
Supplements
Unless your friend or family member specifically request supplements, it’s probably best to give them a miss. They can be a bit of a minefield with so much choice and most bodybuilders will have a personal preference for what they choose.
As with shakers, they’re probably already stocked up on their preferred supplements.
Food Gifts
So this one probably only applies to a bodybuilder who is getting ready for a competition. In which case, don’t bother with any food-based gifts or alcohol. They’re very likely going to be following a strict diet which they won’t deviate from. If you are going to purchase alcohol opt for lower calorie options such as Vodka, Whiskey and Tequila.
Final Thoughts
The best bodybuilder gifts can be tricky. They tend to lead regimented lifestyles which can place limitations on things such as the food they eat and how much time they spend in the gym.
The above guide offers some of the best gifts for bodybuilders with different budgets and we’re sure you can find something that your bodybuilder friend will love.
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