Are you completely stumped on what to buy for the bodybuilder in your life? If you aren’t into bodybuilding yourself, you might have no idea where to start. And you don’t want to buy something only to feel a flood of embarrassment on your face when they open it.
So, to make your life easier, I’ve come up with a list of 21 gifts for bodybuilders which I personally would LOVE to receive.
From good home gym equipment/accessories to protein bars and powders, I have no doubt at least one of these gifts will end up being the perfect present for the bodybuilder in your life.
21 Gifts for Bodybuilders
#1 – Bluetooth Beanie Workout Hat
There are two things every bodybuilder wants while working out:
- Good music to fuel your workout
- To look good while getting your pump on
This sleek and low-key beanie has a built-in wireless bluetooth headset. I’ve worn hats and beanies in the gym before, and always liked the way they looked, but the problem was always with how they fit over my headphones. It would feel and look super awkward. Not anymore!
There are two stereo phones built-in to the beanie where your ears are, making it comfortable to wear. These headphones pop out so you can easily wash the beanie in between workouts.
The sound quality is surprisingly solid and the battery lasts about 6-8 hours. Not to mention, the beanie itself is comfortable and soft. Perfect to keep yourself warm during an intense session in the gym.
#2 – Otium Waterproof Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
Fact: every bodybuilder needs a set of wireless, waterproof headphones for the gym.
Otium has designed a simple, easy to use headphone designed specifically to be worn during exercise. The ear loop is ergonomically designed so it won’t fall off during strenuous exercise. And, for the price, the sound quality on these headphones is fantastic. Plus they last about 9 hours until recharge is necessary.
Seriously, if your bodybuilder doesn’t have a pair of wireless headphones, I can promise you they will LOVE these.
#3 – FLYBIRD Adjustable Weight Bench
Not every bodybuilder goes to the gym to build muscles. If your bodybuilder has (or is thinking of starting) a home gym, then the first piece of equipment they will need is a bench.
The FLYBIRD adjustable weight bench has been the bestselling weight bench on Amazon for the last year or so. And, for good reason.
With 7 different back positions (plus 3 seat positions) to choose from, this bench allows you to do many different exercises. The weight capacity is 700 pounds, which means even if your bodybuilder is huge, this bench will almost certainly be strong enough for them.
Plus, the bench is foldable, so even if your person doesn’t have a lot of space, this bench still works!
This is the perfect bench for newbies, intermediates, or even advanced bodybuilders to really get the most out of their workout.
#4 – Mikolo Fitness Lat and Lift Pulley Cable Machine
This contraption might look a little complex, but it’s actually really simple to use and set up.
With this machine, you can do most exercises for which you would need a full cable machine at a gym. This includes (but is not limited to): lat pulldowns, triceps pushdowns, cable curls, and cable rows. Several bars and attachments are included which increase the amount of exercises you are able to perform. And the cable and pulley seem to be sturdy and of a high quality.
Two different sized cables are included (72″ and 90″), so no matter your height, you are covered.
Although no instructions are included, the set up is easy and straightforward. This is one of those gifts designed for the true gym lover, who loves variation in their exercise routine at home.
#5 – Ultimate Gym Bag 2.0
Gym bags. No one wants to spend too much time thinking about them. But a good gym bag goes a long way in making your gym experience seamless.
Enter the Ultimate Gym Bag 2.0.
This bag has 10 cleverly designed compartments, including shoe pockets and wet pockets for your sweaty clothes. Additionally, there are two bottle holders on the side so you can bring your water bottle and protein shake. The material is sturdy, and the water resistant panel on the bottom helps the bag stay dry.
What I like most about this bag is the large opening for the main compartment, so you don’t have to rummage around and get everything messy in order to find what you’re looking for.
Ask any bodybuilder, and they will tell you: a high quality gym bag makes a happy bodybuilder.
#6 – SaltWrap Daily Fitness Planner
Okay, I know it’s 2021, and most people are going to be recording their workouts on their phone. But, hear me out!
This planner is a physical, tangible reminder of all the work you’ve done in the gym. And a great way to track your progress and goals. Beyond that, this planner has daily training log pages with columns sorted so you can log in detail exactly how many sets and reps you are doing for each exercise.
Additionally, there is a nutrition log to make sure you are keeping track of your all-important macronutrients. And there are weekly sections to get a broader overview of goals and performance.
This is seriously the best planner I’ve come across!
#7 – Gronk Fitness Post Workout Wipes
These little wipes are a perfect little substitute for showers when you are in a rush after working out.
And, honestly, it’s not something I would ever think to get, as a bodybuilder. But, it’s so useful for those times when you need a quick clean-up before leaving the gym. And they are scent-free, so they clean you without making you smell like you just sprayed perfume all over.
Plus, they aren’t only good for the gym. These wipes are great to take with you anywhere you might get a little sweaty.
#8 – BlenderBottle Shaker Bottle
Every bodybuilder needs a shaker bottle. And this simple, effective, and popular bottle works.
There’s no frills and no crazy gadgetry here. Just a simple shaker bottle to mix your protein shakes with. The nice thing about this one is it actually mixes your protein powder in the liquid. No clumps of protein to chew on!
And, even if your bodybuilder already has a shaker, a new one can never hurt.
#9 – Hydracy Water Bottle
A good water bottle is absolutely essential for any bodybuilder. And, this one from Hydracy hits every nail right on its head.
First, I love the detachable carrying strap. Not enough bottles have this strap, and it makes it super easy to carry when you have a bunch of stuff in your hands. Second, it comes with a sleeve for absorbing messy condensation. Thirdly, there are time marks on the bottle to remind you how much you are drinking throughout the day.
The size of the bottle is 32 ounces, which is perfectly in the middle. It’s not too big and bulky to carry around, nor is it small enough where you’d have to refill too often.
Oh, and it comes with a fruit infusion strainer in case you want to get fancy with your water!
#10 – Microfiber Gym Towels
These comfortable, microfiber towels are well-made and get the job done. The package includes two towels, which are machine-washable.
The towels themselves are soft, and a perfect length (44″) for most people. The material makes them quick-drying and sweat absorbent, perfect for any intense workout in the gym. I can say from my experience, using a normal cotton-based towel just doesn’t absorb moisture as well.
In addition to cleaning yourself off, you can also use these as padding on the bar or as a stretching aid. These are are a really nice little gift for any bodybuilder.
#11 – ThinkFit Insulated Meal Prep Bag
Every bodybuilder knows that the biggest challenge in the game is staying on top of your diet 24/7. This is where planning, organization, and meal prepping comes in. And the ThinkFit Insulated Meal Prep Bag helps you with all three.
This on-the-go meal storage bag has four features I absolutely love:
- 6 microwaveable meal prep containers (AKA an entire day’s worth)
- A pill dispenser and shaker cup
- 3 compartments on each side for lots of meal storage options
- Two large reusable ice packs to keep your food cold and ready to go
Beyond that, the bag has a 100% lifetime guarantee replacement offer. And the bag appears to be well-made and sturdy.
This is a bodybuilder’s dream gift!
#12 – Hoplite Lifting Socks
Lifting socks are an excellent addition to any bodybuilder’s equipment ensemble.
These socks provided cooling and compression for your lower legs. While deadlifting, they also provide a layer of protection so the bar doesn’t destroy your shins (bloody shins are pretty badass though). These also work well for squats, and other leg exercises.
I love the simple, sleek design on these socks. The logo and design are minimalistic, yet attractive, which is exactly what I look for in workout gear.
Plus, these are just great socks to wear for everyday use anyways.
#13 – GRM Hand Grip Strengthener
Hand grippers are one of those eclectic pieces of gym equipment most bodybuilders have never heard of. Which is one of the reasons it would make a great gift. The other… it works!
The GRM Hand Grip Strengthener has four features I absolutely love:
- Comfortable, ergonomic handle
- Big range of resistance (11 to 132 pounds of adjustable resistance)
- Mechanical counter which records usage
- Additional finger exerciser, finger stretcher, grip ring, and stress relief ball
As you can see, this is a full hand grip strengthening kit, not simply a hand gripper. This unique piece of gym equipment will be appreciated by serious bodybuilders.
#14 – Massage Gun for Athletes
Bodybuilding is physically stressful. Sometimes it’s hard to even walk around due to the intense soreness. Which is why active recovery and deep tissue massage has become so popular these days.
The deep tissue muscle therapy massage gun contains 10 differently-shaped massage heads, as well as 30 adjustable vibration modes. The customizability of the massager means you will find a way get into that deep tissue and heal your muscles.
When fully charged, this little beast lasts for up to 6 hours. And it’s super easy to use.
#15 – Gymreapers Dip Belt
Dip belts are one of those pieces of gym equipment most bodybuilders don’t have, but really should.
In gyms, you might be able to find one stuffed into a corner, totally unloved and unused. So, if you’re unsure if your bodybuilder has this, chances are they don’t.
In addition to dips, you can do weighted pull-ups as well with this. The Gymreapers dip belt has a strong, thick chain which will be able to hold a lot of extra weight. The belt is contoured and offers soft back support so it wont’ be digging into you while using it.
Plus, it comes with a lifetime replacement guarantee!
#16 – Mackie Food Scale
This easy-to-use food scale makes weighing food and counting calories simple and effective. Being able to accurately and successfully analyze food intake is crucial to success in bodybuilding.
Three features which make the Mackie Food Scale so damn awesome:
- Uses food codes to give you the exact macronutrient breakdown for everything you eat
- Can add up to 999 more food codes to the scale
- Ability to save and track all the foods you’ve eaten in a day
Plus, the scale is thin, small, and light. So, it’s easy to carry around with you and use on-the-go.
#17 – Power Guidance Resistance Bands
Resistance bands are another piece of gym equipment more bodybuilders would benefit from incorporating. The nice thing about these is you can easily take them to the gym and invigorate your training.
The Power Guidance resistance bands come with four different resistance bands:
- Green: 50-125 pounds
- Purple: 35-85 pounds
- Black: 25-65 pounds
- Red: 15-35 pounds
Resistance bands give you the ability to add so many different exercises to your routine, and challenge your muscles in new ways. Whether or not your bodybuilder currently uses resistance bands, I promise these will be a worthwhile addition to their workouts.
Check out this article for examples of some exercises you can do with resistance bands.
#18 – KOIOS Smoothie Blender
Rarely acknowledged fact: Every bodybuilder needs a good blender.
Bodybuilders eat a lot of food. Sometimes it gets hard to pack down 4-6 meals per day. So making one of those meals liquid (a smoothie) makes it a lot easier. But, the trick is finding a good blender which isn’t overpriced.
KOIOS smoothie blender comes with three different cups (two sizes), as well as two different blades, two flip-top caps, two lids, and one brush for cleaning the device. The copper motor is a whopping 850 watts. This thing is a beast, and has no trouble chopping up pretty much any food you throw in there.
There are lots of pictures of clean, creamy smoothies on the Amazon reviews page to check out the results of this blender.
#19 – The High Protein Vegan Cookbook for Athletes
Even if your bodybuilder isn’t vegan, the fact is vegan bodybuilding is growing. And it’s nice to expand your taste and nutrient possibilities with new recipes you might not have considered before.
This vegan cookbook is written by a former athlete who takes into account the nutritional (and protein) needs of serious athletes. There are 150 pages of mostly whole foods plant-based recipes which will make a perfect addition to any bodybuilder’s diet.
Included within these pages are everything from simple, high-protein meals you can eat everyday to more complex meals you might want to make only once in a while.
All in all, this is a great little book to expand your nutritional possibilities as a bodybuilder.
#20 – Genius Vegan Protein Powder
Protein powder. Pretty much every bodybuilder uses it from time to time. Some, more often than others.
But, finding a clean protein powder which tastes good and is easy on the stomach can be difficult. The Genius Vegan Protein Powder fits the bill. It’s low in carbs and calories, but high in quality vegan (pea + pumpkin) protein, with 20 grams per serving. Additionally, it’s not overloaded with tons of unnecessary ingredients like so many protein powders out there today.
Most importantly, it tastes GREAT! While not overly sweet, this powder hits a nice balance without any weird aftertaste.
#21 – Vega Protein Bars
Protein bars are the Robin to the protein powder’s Batman. While not as essential to bodybuilding, they can be a nice addition to any bodybuilder’s diet. Unfortunately most protein bars suck!
Luckily for us, Vega has produced a nutritionally solid and tasty protein bar here. With over 20 grams of protein and 300 calories per bar, these make a great in-between snack or on-the-go meal. They are quite filling. Just be aware, the bars contain a decent amount of sugar, which simply means they are better to be eaten before or after a workout (when glycogen stores are depleted and need refueling).
As for flavors, you can choose between peanut butter and crispy mint chocolate.
Note: a lot of reviewers are saying the crispy mint chocolate tastes exactly like girl scout chocolate mint cookies! Might want to go with that one…
Buying the Right Gifts for Bodybuilders
Now you have 21 different gifts to choose from for the bodybuilder in your life.
You want my advice? Don’t overthink it. All of these gifts are generalizable and most bodybuilders will appreciate them. I should know, having been into bodybuilding for the last 14 years.
Grab that last minute gift before it’s too late!
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