Best Gifts for CrossFitters in 2024

Trendy water bottles come and go, but you can never go wrong with the tried-and-true Nalgene. These BPA-free bottles have measurements on the side to track your hydration intake. They're also "virtually indestructible" according to the brand -- and every hiker who's used one. That means they'll hold up to being slung around the gym throughout a workout session.

Because of all of the overhead lifting movements one strives to perfect in CrossFit (overhead squats, barbell presses, wall-balls, etc.), sore wrists are common. Wrist wraps help keep your wrists stable during overhead weight training movements and are considered a necessary piece of fitness gear by many CrossFit athletes.

Not all protein shakers are created equal. Many of them require you to go through so many steps to stay correctly sealed and make a ton of noise with a little shaker ball you have to drop into your mix. On top of having a great name, ShakeSphere's inside is pill-shaped to stop powder from getting stuck in the corners. No weird shaker ball to lose, easy to toss into the drink holder on the side of your bag, and it looks nice. 

A little goes a long way with Dragon Blood balm. Whether you're lifting weights, jumping rope or cycling through burpees, sooner or later your muscles will need some tender loving care. This anti-inflammatory salve can help with calloused hands, swollen wrists and the like, but it also can be used to alleviate all sorts of joint pain. Since it's made from all-natural ingredients, you don't need to worry about harsh chemicals, parabens, sulfates or other fillers here. Plus, the delightful scent helps eliminate stress. Sign us up!

Muscle and joint recovery are important when it comes to CrossFit. These compression floss bands from Serious Steel are a solid and affordable option when looking for an alternative to the more expensive big-name products. Whether you're wrapping your knee, shoulder, ankle or elbow, these floss bands can help blood flow, alleviate joint and muscle soreness, and decrease swelling. Exercising while struggling with pain is just the worst.

Between squats, lunges, box jumps, running, deadlifts, sprints and other forms of fitness, the knees of a CrossFitter definitely endure a lot while training (or even during a WOD). Compression sleeves for the knees help to evenly distribute pressure, offer shock absorption and support the joint to prevent pain, especially during heavy lifts and high-volume fitness workouts.

Pull-ups, toes-to-bar and muscle-ups -- oh my. CrossFitters constantly work on gymnastics movements and fitness exercises that require great grip strength and tough hands to perfect while training. If you know a CrossFitter who's always battling blisters on their palms and fingers after training at the gym, give them the great gift of palm protection with JerkFit's WODies.

Double-unders are no joke. This advanced jump rope move (swinging the rope under your feet twice during a single jump) takes hours of practice to perfect, and most CrossFitters are familiar with the welts and whip marks that come with said practice while training with a jump rope. Having your own jump rope in addition to what's available at the gym can really help your overall fitness, as it allows you to get a good handle on the weight, speed and feel of the rope while training.

Whatever the workout, you're going to sweat. Hydration is key. Although it's important to always have a bottle of water nearby, it won't account for the amount of electrolytes that also get lost during exercise. LMNT replenishes the important nutrients that go missing during exercise, and then some. Sodium, potassium and magnesium are all here, and the calorie count in each drink packet is minimal. The mixes come in a variety of flavors and help boost performance and recovery.

CrossFitters are notorious for walking in and out of the gym, rubbing their shoulders and saying, "I need a massage," but never actually getting one. Well, give that friend a massage gun so they can just do it on their own time. Why the Theragun Mini? Because it's a powerful tool from a reputable brand, and it doesn't come with the sticker shock of the more complex Theragun models. It's the perfect gift for sore muscles. Compare other massage guns with the Theragun.

Rogue is a company known for quality products that remain durable no matter how many beatings they may receive in the gym. These resistance bands are made of a thick natural latex rubber and come in a variety of resistance levels. They're versatile, compact, can be used for many different types of exercises and are great for working out at home, in the park or when you're traveling and away from home.

When you're squatting, lunging, lifting, pressing, pulling, jumping and running every day, muscles and joints get really tight. Help a CrossFitter out with their post-gym workout by gifting them a mobility gear kit. This high-quality starter kit from The Ready State, formerly MobilityWOD, includes everything a CrossFitter needs to become the definition of Kelly Starrett's "supple leopard."

There's been a consistent stream of new gear and apparel since CrossFit started picking up steam back in the early 2000s. NoBull has claimed its spot as one of the most high-end CrossFit apparel brands, sponsoring the likes of Brooke Wells and Tia-Clair Toomey. Not a high-top but not a regular shoe, the Trainer is everything a CrossFitter wants in a shoe: sturdy, durable, good for running, available in different colors, comfortable with socks and good-looking.

One of the newest meal delivery services in the game is Trifecta Nutrition. As their website states, they're "The Official Meal Delivery Partner of CrossFit," so you know your friend who does CrossFit is probably curious about it. Curated by a team of dietitians and nutritionists, the dietary plans range from paleo to keto to vegan. Most of the meals clock in roughly between 300 and 500 calories. For those CrossFitters invested in clean eating, this may be the meal delivery service for you. Full meal delivery plans start around $110 per week, but you can also get deliveries of ingredients that are already prepped for less. Read our Trifecta Nutrition meal delivery service review.

Let's not mince words here: The Plus45 King Kong duffel is a beast. If you're looking for a functional and durable duffel bag, this features an array of well-placed compartments and will survive everything life throws at it, this is the one. With a nearly 12-gallon capacity, this puppy has two external pockets for bottles, can hold two pairs of shoes, a towel, a change of clothes, your daily essentials (wallet, phone, keys, etc.), CrossFit accessories, workout snacks and more. KNKG will even replace the bag for free, with free shipping, if there are any defects found within the product's natural lifetime. 

CrossFit workouts are hard. Yet there's always someone who's adding extra weight, mileage or reps to make the day's workout even harder, all in the name of their fitness and training goals. If you know one of those CrossFitters, consider getting them a weighted vest. It's a great gift that makes anyone training lift more, and it makes any WOD at least five times as difficult.

The Theragun Elite, CNET's overall best massage gun, is a powerful, but easy-to-use massage gun with five built-in speeds and five attachments to target different muscle groups. It also lets you access preset guided routines from the Therabody app (available for iPhone and Android) in case you need help getting started with your massage gun. It makes a perfect recovery tool for any hard-working CrossFitter.

The Rogue Fitness home timer offers the same functionality as Rogue's much larger Echo gym timer, but it's compact enough for any home gym. It comes with preset timer modes for Tabata and FGB workouts, and the accompanying mobile app can store up to 30 different custom workout intervals. When it comes to CrossFit, using a timer is a necessity. With Rogue, you know you're getting a quality product.