How to Buy Gifts for Athletes

When it’s gift-giving time, count your blessings if you’ve got an athlete on your list. You’ve got loads of sporty options. Here are a few starters.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. The gym membership. If your athlete is already a gym member, consider a punch card for yoga or pilates classes. Many gyms charge extra for these classes.
2. The big stuff. Large gifts, such as a new bike or snow skis, are harder to give as surprises, but for some people half the fun of new gear is shopping, scheming and over-analyzing together.
3. The basics. Create a grab bag full of anything that your giftee is devoted to and uses often. Ideas: Five pairs of her favorite running socks, a six-month supply of bike inner tubes or a month’s worth of Gu packets.
4. The consultation. Hire an expert for your athlete, such as a personal trainer, nutritionist or coach. There is a guru for every game.
5. The new bag. For the athlete who spends much more on his gear than on what’s holding it, buy him a respectable bag. Many of today’s bags help simplify your trip to the gym and can work overtime as a travel carry-on or day pack.
6. The pampering. Give spa treatments, massage and pedicures for the athlete with tight hamstrings and black toenails.
7. The donation. Make a contribution to a favorite charity—particularly one that supports parks, youth sports or general health.
8. The music. For the spin bike fiend who is always plugged in: an iTunes gift card.
9. The whopper gift. For big spenders and big adventurers, give an experience: biking across Italy, rafting through Utah or diving in Cabo. Think big, then bigger.