Fitness Stocking Stuffers Under $25: 9 Small Gifts for Yoga, Pilates, and Running

A yoga strap or a microfiber hand towel is the safest small gift for someone who does yoga, Pilates or runs, and the other seven picks below are just as cheap and just as free of clothing sizes. The test for each one: will they still be using it in February?

Most fitness-themed small gifts fail that test: novelty water bottles, slogan socks, resistance bands that join the sets already in the drawer. What works is the basics that wear out or go missing. Every yoga practice uses a strap, every hot class wants a second towel, every winter runner loses a glove, and nobody minds owning two. All nine picks come from reviews and guides we have already published. We have not re-tested anything for this page; each pick links to the longer reasoning behind it.

Related: Gifts for Yoga Lovers; Gifts for Pilates Lovers; Gifts for Runners; Gifts for Gym Lovers and Lifters.

Every pick is inexpensive and chosen to fit a $25 budget; prices and availability change, so check Amazon before you buy. The socks need a rough shoe size and the gloves a rough hand size. Nothing else needs a number.

For the Yogi

The Manduka eQua Hand Towel is suede-like microfiber that absorbs fast and dries in minutes. At 16 by 24 inches it is big enough for the face, hands, and a quick mat wipe, and it packs flat into a bag pocket. It has no grip backing, so it is not a mat towel. It works just as well in a gym bag or a suitcase, so it suits almost anyone. It comes from our mat bags and towels review.

The Gaiam 6ft Yoga Strap is polyester webbing that does not stretch, with a metal D-ring buckle that holds a loop without slipping. Six feet is enough for a seated hamstring stretch on most bodies. We recommend it in our chair yoga guide, which is a hint about who else it suits: anyone who stretches, including runners and older relatives who have never been to a yoga class. The buckle can clank on a hard floor.

The Gaiam Easy-Cinch Mat Sling is the simplest way to carry a mat. It weighs almost nothing, fits any mat thickness, and doubles as a stretching strap in a pinch. The mat is exposed to rain and dirt, and there is no storage for anything else, so it suits someone who walks a short way to class with nothing but a mat.

For the Pilates Student

The ProBody 9-Inch Pilates Ball is the smallest present here and one of the most used. It is latex-free anti-burst PVC with a slightly tacky surface that doesn't slide on hardwood, and it inflates with the included straw in under a minute. It loses a little air over a few weeks. It arrives flat, so it is easy to wrap and post.

The ProBody 14-Inch Magic Circle is the largest thing on this list and will need a generous stocking. A fiberglass core holds its shape after months of squeezing, foam pads sit on both the inside and the outside of the ring, and it gives about 30 lb of resistance. The rubber coating picks up dust after floor work. Together with the ball it makes a complete small home kit; both are in our home Pilates equipment guide.

The Gaiam Grippy Yoga Socks are the entry-level grip sock: grip dots across the heel, ball, and arch, a comfortable cotton blend, and a choice of full-toe, toeless, or lace-up styles. They run small, and the grip wears noticeably after a few months of weekly classes, so they suit an occasional student. For someone who goes to a studio every week, the premium pairs in our grip socks review are the step up.

For the Runner

The Aegend Lightweight Winter Gloves are a thin knit with touchscreen fingertips, sized for men and women. On their own they suit runs from about 45°F down to about 30°F, and they work as a liner under a mitten when it gets colder. They give little wind protection and are too thin alone below about 25°F. They are the default in our running gloves guide, and they are equally good for a cold walk to work.

The Tough Headwear Ear Warmer Headband is the cheapest way to solve stinging ears on a winter run. It is sold as a running accessory and is low-profile enough to wear under a hood. The construction is simple, with no wind-blocking panel, and it is a one-size band, so very small or large heads are a gamble. Our ear warmers guide has the upgrade if cold ears turn out to be a recurring problem.

The Nike Dri-FIT Swoosh Headband is the year-round pick: it wicks sweat well and lasts. It can feel tight on larger heads and colour choice is often limited. It is from our running headbands guide and is just as useful in the gym.

Two small gifts make a proper present

A pair feels more considered than one small thing. These combinations stay cheap and come from the same reviews:

What to leave out

Leave out anything in a clothing size. Leggings, bras and tops belong in a main present, bought with the size known; our sports bra size guide shows how far sizes move between brands.

Skip another set of resistance bands. Nearly everyone who exercises at home already owns some.

Skip gadgets. If it doesn't show up in an actual class or training plan, it will be in a drawer by spring.

For anything larger, the four longer guides linked at the top of this page go up in budget by activity.

Add a gift receipt where you can, and check the return window on the listing when you order. Holiday return policies change from year to year, so we do not quote one here. The FTC's online shopping advice makes the same point: read the seller's shipping, return and refund terms before you pay.

How We Chose

Every product on this page appears in one of our existing reviews or guides, with its strengths and weaknesses taken from there. We then filtered by budget, by whether the Amazon listing looked reliable and by whether the item needs a clothing size. We did not run new tests for this guide, and one of the running picks is an unbranded listing, which we have noted on its card.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are good stocking stuffers for someone who works out?

Small things they use up or lose: a quick-drying hand towel, a stretching strap, thin gloves, a headband. They cost little, need no clothing size, and a second one is always useful.

What is a good yoga gift under $25?

A yoga strap or a microfiber hand towel. Both are used in almost every class, both wear out over time, and neither depends on the style of yoga the person practises.

What is a good cheap gift for a runner?

Thin touchscreen gloves or an ear band in winter, and a sweat-wicking headband the rest of the year. Runners lose these and wear them out all the time.

Are grip socks a good stocking stuffer?

Yes, for anyone who takes Pilates, barre, or studio yoga classes, since many studios require them. You only need a rough shoe size. An entry-level pair suits an occasional student; a weekly regular will get more from a premium pair.

If you only read one line

Buy the plain basics, in pairs: a strap and a hand towel for a yogi, a ball and a magic circle for a Pilates student, gloves and an ear band for a runner.