Alexis Jones's Health and Fitness Editor Gift Guide
I'm a Health and Fitness Editor and These Gifts Have My Stamp of Approval
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Finally, my favorite time of the year: gift-giving season. I believe choosing a gift for someone you love should be all about joy. But when it comes to shopping for health and fitness gifts, tapping into that joy factor can be a little trickier. Finding health and fitness products that you not only love, but trust is a pretty tall task in 2026 — especially when it seems like everyone is offering up a new wellness solution.
But as an editor in the industry for nearly a decade, I've developed a pretty strong litmus test for the items that will actually bring about change in your life. And I take pride in giving my family and friends the products I've personally tested and put my stamp of approval on. Of course, I'm not about to gatekeep those items from you either. No matter who you're shopping for — your Pilates bestie, your gym bro cousin, your tween niece who is all of a sudden obsessed with water bottles — I've got you covered.
For this holiday season, I've pulled together some of the best health and fitness products that have come into my life. From a tea brand that offers both comfort and antioxidants to the pair of leggings I reach for every time, these are my go-to editor picks for the best holiday gifts of 2026.
The Best Health & Fitness Gifts According to an Editor
- To keep their feet planted on the mat without sacrificing style: Cacti Wellness The Grip Socks in Jetty at $19
- The closest you'll get to Nirvana in a cup: Tea Forte Select at $55
- Breathable, stretchy fabric that made me believe in biker shorts: Travis Matthew Moveknit Bonded Short 2.0 at $60
- Earn cool points with the womens sports fan on your list: Togethxr EWWS Long Sleeve Tee at $60
- A no-brainer for any overactive nighttime thinker: Nodpod Mineralized Silk Weighted Sleep Mask at $68
- Sweat-wicking technology that survived my intense mat Pilates class: Third Love TempSync Active Adjustable Sports Bra at $78
- Keep them cool and comfortable during every move, stretch, and flow: Third Love TempSync Active Leggings at $88
- The smartest hydration accessory I've ever owned: LARQ Bottle PureVis 2 at $117
- To massage away their longest day, toughest workout, and biggest stressors: Chirp Sole Vibe at $140
- Noise reduction, easy clipping, and an up-to-40-hours charge: Shokz OpenDots 2 at $200
- Upgrade their home gym ahead of the new year: Hydrow Arc Rower at $2,295
- The lightest and sleekest e-bike I've ever ridden: Specialized Turbo Vado SL 4.0 at $2,450
Cacti Wellness The Grip Socks in Jetty ($19)
Everyone deserves a stocking stuffer they actually want. These grippy Pilates socks from Cacti Wellness will check that box and then some. The neutral design pairs as seamlessly with my favorite workout set as it does a casual errand outfit. It's kept my foot planted on the mat without sacrificing style, while also doubling as my everyday three-quarter height sock.
Tea Forte Select ($55)
Not to be dramatic, but the teas from Tea Forte are the closest you'll get to Nirvana in a cup. I've gifted them to countless friends and family members for birthdays, get-well wishes, and of course, Christmas. My favorite option: the Tea Forte Select, a customizable box where you choose from the brand's most popular blends to create a custom box of 20 teas. Pick up to four different blends or fill your box with just one or two favorites (hint: the White Ginger Pea is a must!). But honestly, you can't go wrong.
Travis Matthew Moveknit Bonded Short 2.0 ($60)
I don't naturally gravitate toward biker shorts, as they tend to ride up and make my already stalky legs look even more like celery. But these bottoms from Travis Matthew won me over. The breathable, stretchy performance knit moved with my body without causing uncomfortable bunching around the crotch or thighs. And I found the 4.5" inseam and high-waisted design very flattering. A win for the fitness girlies!
Togethxr EWWS Long Sleeve Tee ($60)
If there's a women sports fan on your shopping list, this long sleeve tee from Togethxr will earn you extra cool points. The brand founded by Alex Morgan, Chloe Kim, Sue Bird, and Simone Manuel has become a uniform for the culture of uplifting women athletes. I rock my tee with pride and so will your loved one.
Nodpod Mineralized Silk Weighted Sleep Mask ($68)
I am no one and nothing without my sleep, which is why new motherhood rocked the hell out of me. Not only was I waking up at all hours of the night, but when I finally got time to myself I couldn't quiet my mind. The Nodpod Weighted Sleep Mask offered me a new sense of calm with its weighted design and deep touch pressure. Trust me, this one is a no brainer for any new mom or overactive nighttime thinker.
Third Love TempSync Active Adjustable Sports Bra ($78)
As someone with a larger chest, especially postpartum, I sincerely appreciate the fit of this bra. While the straps are thick and supportive, the structure doesn't abandon style, flaunting a flattering scoop neck in the front and cute cutout in the back. Plus, the sweat-wicking technology survived my intense mat Pilates class and hyperactive sweat glands, leaving me with zero stains post workout. It's the gift she'll keep reaching for long after the holidays are done.
Third Love TempSync Active Leggings ($88)
Go ahead and make it a set: If you're already buying her the Third Love sports bra above, add these matching leggings to your cart. I don't use the word buttery soft lightly, but when it comes to these leggings the phrase is more than appropriate. These bottoms keep me cool and comfortable during every move, stretch, and flow. No notes.
LARQ Bottle PureVis 2 ($117)
Just when you think all water bottles are the same, here comes LARQ. This Bottle PureVis 2 is the smartest hydration accessory I've ever owned. Not only does it track your water intake throughout the day, offering helpful reminders to meet your goals, it's self-cleaning and has a built-in purification system within the cap. In other words, you can always feel confident that your water is clean, cold, and drinkable — whether you're in the middle of a hike or hitting the gym. Go ahead and throw two of these in your cart so you don't have to steal theirs.
Chirp Sole Vibe ($140)
Massage away your longest day, toughest workout, and biggest stressors with the Chirp Sole Vibe. As someone that's naturally hard on my feet, this mini foot massager has become my daily self-care ritual. With three key modes (refresh, circulation, and deep release), the heated foot massager can work through any kink — whether you're post-gym session or finally hitting the couch after a long day of parenting. Plus, its sleek and portable design make it easy to use on other sore muscle areas (think: glutes and calves) and pack for lengthy travel days, too.
Shokz OpenDots 2 ($200)
When it comes to exercising outdoors, hearing the world around me is a must for my safety. The Shokz OpenDots 2 allows for secure and easy clipping so that I'm surrounded by both my music and the environment, while still providing enough noise reduction to answer a phone call. Plus, earbuds are charged for up to 40 hours with the case and can be used interchangeably thanks to its unique design.
Hydrow Arc Rower ($2,295)
If you're looking to upgrade someone's home gym, the Hydrow Arc Rower is worth the splurge. The machine offers immersive full-body workouts to help you build strength and endurance, as well as cross-training classes like yoga, Pilates, and stretching to hone in your power and mobility. It's all a bit gameified too, since the machine's HydroMetrics track your every stroke gifting celebratory badges with every milestone. And trust me, you don't have to be a rower to use the machine. For those who aren't, it offers a new challenging workout modality just in time for the new year.
Specialized Turbo Vado SL 4.0 ($2,450)
If someone you know is in the market for a new e-bike, this is the lightest and sleekest one I've ever ridden. The Specialized Turbo Vado SL 4.0 was made for easy commutes, faster workouts, and seamless storage. Whether you're an avid biker looking for a new ride, a fitness buff itching for a new hobby, or a casual biker who wants to go farther, the Vado SL is the perfect gift to do it all at a fraction of the weight.
Alexis Jones is the section lead of the health and fitness verticals at Popsugar, overseeing coverage across the website, social media, and newsletters. In her seven-plus years of editorial experience, Alexis has developed passions for and expertise in mental health, women's health and fitness, racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare, and chronic conditions. Prior to joining PS, she was the senior editor at Health magazine. Her other bylines can be found at Women's Health, Prevention, Marie Claire, and more.
