Start Your 2024 Strong With These Fitness Essentials Our Experts Love

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While the big gifting holidays have yet to arrive, 2024 is just around the corner, which means New Year's resolutions galore. And whether you are looking to help someone on their fitness journey or jump start your own, we have recommendations for the hottest fitness products to gift this season. These all come highly recommended from myself, fitness professionals and our team of expert testers to give you a fantastic selection of personally vetted products.

We chose a selection of products ranging in price from $16 to $2,500, so whether you are looking to stuff a stocking or stock a home gym, we have some fantastic fitness gifts for you.

For more holiday gifting ideas, check out the favorite wellness products our experts have given and received. 

Haven Athletic Duffel ($299)

As someone who struggles with organization in just about every aspect of their life, this duffel is a godsend. It has a structured internal organization system that helps you keep track of all your gear, clothing, toiletries, and whatever else you throw in the abyss of your gym bag. It also features a ventilated shoe compartment that fits up to a men’s size 14, and a super durable nylon exterior. I especially like the mesh pockets on the interior and exterior, which make for easy access to small items.

Nature Made Bundle ($40)

Getting your vitamins in is a great way to keep healthy this winter. While choosing vitamins for someone else may be a challenge, this is a great option for self-gifting, or you can choose something like an immunity pack to help keep your loved ones feeling great through cold and flu season.

Nature Made is currently offering 20% off bundles, and have everything from vitamins aimed at stress reduction, a wellness boost, immune support or a combination of the three.

Garmin Vivoactive 5 ($299)

This is a great watch for runners looking for an affordable but capable GPS watch. Fitness editor Rachel Pasche loves that the watch tracks tons of different activities and makes it easy to monitor your activity, as well as set goals for yourself. “Garmin puts a big focus on hitting your ‘active minutes’ goal each week, which I think is a great place to start for someone trying to be healthier and set fitness goals. For those who want to track sleep, it's nice that the battery of this Garmin watch can last up to a week, allowing users to wear it through the night, rather than charging it each night like some other smart watches.”

Peloton Bike ($1,445 for bike, $44 per month for membership)

“I used to take spin classes in a studio, but I didn't like how much time it took to commute there,” says SEO associate Chloe Sisson—self proclaimed ”regular person” that likes working out. “I love all the different programs and instructors available on the Peloton Bike; the classes are never boring since there's so many options, and the classes are more tailored than an in person class”.

“Since Peloton has classes as short as 15 minutes, I feel like there's never an excuse not to hop on for a quick workout. There's no commute to the gym or studio, which means a 30-minute workout is truly only 30 minutes, making it easy to fit in a quick, fun and effective workout.”

Ultima Electrolyte Powder ($19)

“Staying hydrated can be difficult, especially on days when water just doesn't sound appealing, but I love the taste of this electrolyte powder and drink it every day first thing in the morning,” says Pasche. “There isn’t any weird texture or aftertaste, it blends really nicely, and I haven't gotten sick of the taste even after nearly two straight years of drinking it daily.”

If you are exercising regularly, it is super important to stay hydrated. Even if you are keeping up with your water, adding some electrolytes helps you to keep it in your system. Plus ensuring you’re hydrated before (or after) a workout can help reduce soreness and help you perform better during exercise.

New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v13 ($165)

The 1080 has been a go-to high cushion running shoe for over a decade now. While they have changed quite a bit in the past few years, version 13 has really hit the nail on the head with soft but responsive cushioning, and a return to a traditional mesh upper (goodbye sloppy knits).

Project coordinator Suzette Gomez found them to be great shoes for plantar fasciitis. “These sneakers provide great ankle stabilization. I bought them specifically for heel pain and they worked like a charm.”

Reebok Nano X3 ($140)

Senior fitness editor and powerlifter Taylor Rojek loves these shoes for all types of workouts. “I've worn them for CrossFit workouts, and found that they're comfortable and supportive for weightlifting, HIIT workouts, light running and even gymnastics-type movements.”

The versatility of these shoes makes them a great choice if you need an all-around workout shoe. An option like this one allows you to switch up your workout as much as you want without worrying that you'll be uncomfortable or at a disadvantage.

NordicTrack 1750 ($2,499)

Rojek recommends the NordicTrack 1750 treadmill for its interactive features. “I adore iFit. It's so fun to be able to hop on a treadmill and have a guide take you through a German castle, or along a tropical beach or on a trail through the Swiss Alps. (It has built-in class-style workouts too, apparently, but I’ve never even bothered with trying those because I love the location workouts so much.) “

Winter training can be tough, especially if you live somewhere with bleak days and slushy roads. Rojek found this feature to be motivating even on the grossest, coldest days. “Being able to hop on the treadmill and experience someplace I've never been before is just so fun—and you usually learn something in the process, which is also motivating for me.”

On Cloud Cloudnova Form ($149)

Fitness editor and Barre3 Instructor Colleen Quigley loves these shoes for every day for walking, running errands and exercising. “They are very comfortable and supportive—and as I’m rehabbing a broken foot, these sneakers have given me the perfect balance of stability and mobility.”

She also found it works great for a range of activities—running, walking, cross-training, HIIT classes to name a few—which saves you from having to buy multiple pairs of shoes.

Cymbiotika Liposomal Vitamin D3 + K2 + CoQ10 ($77)

Nutrition editor Joana Neziri notes that most of us do not get enough vitamin D during the winter season. She loves this vitamin D supplement, as its liquid form makes it easy to get your daily dose, plus it includes other essential vitamins for your immune system like K2 and CoQ10.

“Many different aspects of our health depend on vitamin D, including mood regulation, bone health and brain health,” says Neziri. “This product is a no-brainer to a fitness routine because it's so easy to take and supports full-body health!”

Rep Fitness Circle Hip Bands ($16)

“This resistance band trio is a great way to get in a leg or even full-body workout at different resistance levels,” says Neziri, NASM-CPT. “ It's the most compact way to continue to build muscle if you're always on the go or can't make it to the gym.”

Using these resistance bands is a great way to get in a quick workout, and won’t take up room if you don’t have space for a home gym.

Armra Colostrum ($110)

“I've noticed a clear difference in my skin health since I started taking this supplement—I have less acne and noticed I have more energy,” says senior editor Zoë Ettinger.

“I think this is a great product for a fitness routine because it simply helps you feel better all around, and it gives you an energy boost very different from caffeine—the same feeling that only comes from getting a really good night's sleep.”

Hyperice Normatec 3 Legs ($699)

“I am notoriously bad at working recovery into my routine, so when I got the Normatec 3 Legs to test, I was immediately excited,” says senior editor Jordan Smith, NASM-CPT. "They immensely improved my recovery routine and I feel bougie using them. I can lounge on the couch with my favorite post-workout shake, electrolyte drink or coffee and a face mask with my favorite show playing in the background and they take care of the recovery for me.”

These boots use dynamic air compression technology to increase circulation, reduce inflammation and help speed up recovery.

Bala Bands ($35)

“I love adding resistance bands to my workout routine—they’re super versatile and take up little space in your home gym, workout bag or suitcase,” Smith says. These are made from woven fabric instead of rubber which means that they are more durable and won’t roll up while you're using them.

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“A simple resistance band can actually pack a big punch when it comes to your workouts. You can use them to increase mobility or make your home workouts more difficult by adding resistance to movements like lunges, squats and glute bridges.”

Brumate MultiShaker ($35)

Pete Nastasi, a certified personal trainer and sports nutrition coach, says that the BruMate MultiShaker is the perfect shaker bottle for any regular gymgoer. The stainless steel, leak-proof design makes it both durable and easy to clean, and the built-in agitator blends your powdered supplements clump-free.

Nastasi notes that his favorite part about the BruMate MultiShaker is that it doesn’t hold on to that lingering odor that’s often present when you use a plastic shaker bottle to mix your protein powder.

Adidas by Stella Mccartney Backpack ($170 $85)

Editor Emma Witman hates the gym. “ I like, really, viscerally hate the gym,” says Witman. “So I tend to buy any incremental thing that can make me look forward to going more, and that includes the small, aesthetic joy of getting to flaunt a cute gym bag in public.”

“I bought this gym bag after writing about travel backpacks because I wanted something to take from the gym to a coffee shop for working away from home," she says. Witman loves that it is stylish enough to be versatile, but also praised its versatility. “It has a laptop sleeve and ample room for gym clothes, and I also love the grab-and-go top pocket, for storing keys, wallet, phone, etc.”

Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.