The holiday season is here, and the pressure is to make sure you get the best gift possible. If you have a high school or college athlete in your life, then you should make sure that the present you choose will benefit their athletic endeavors. Something that will be useful to their goals could be appreciated year-round. But what should you get?

The specific item for the individual athlete you know would be hard to nail down, but we do have some suggestions that give you options to work with. Look over these ten items, and decide which would serve the greatest purpose for the recipient you’re thinking about.

Wireless Headphones

This one is as safe of a bet as you will get. Many athletes like listening to music while running or training. Normal headphones with wires can be bothersome and interfere with their movements. Wireless earbuds or headphones that connect to a music player with Bluetooth will be met with a big smile every time. It’s simply a matter of whether the recipient prefers the over-the-ear version or earbuds that go inside the ear.

Fitness Tracker

Fitness trackers do a lot more than track calories and tell time. Many versions such as the FitBit track heart rate, can be set to specific sports, and even connect to phones to read text messages. FitBits are considered the most popular versions, but there are those that are more cost effective such as the Virmee Smartwatch.

Workout Accessories

Suppose you have a lifter in your household. In that case, products such as wrist wraps, knee sleeves, and weightlifting belts are worthy of consideration. Schiek and Iron Rebel are a couple of the most popular brands, but there are numerous choices to consider. If you have a lifter that competes, knowing the rules of the federation would be wise before making an order or purchase.

Training Shoes

Yes, there are shoes specifically designed for working out. Of course, you know about running shoes, but lifters have different needs than endurance athletes. Lifters need to plant their feet firmly and have support on all sides of the foot. Under Armour has the Tribase Reign 3, which are great shoes for the gym. NoBull shoes are also a viable option.

Recovery Products

Many people think about items for training, but recovery isn’t considered as much as it should be. Consider getting items such as foam rollers or percussive massage guns. These items will come in handy after a hard training session or even on an off day if the person uses it needs to focus on specific parts of the body. Foam rollers are small and can be purchased at most superstores. Massage guns provide percussive therapy for the user, and most have several ends that serve different purposes. Most sporting goods stores have these as well.

Athletic Outfits

Athletes that live in colder areas will want extra layers to wear that are comfortable. A hoodie and sweat pants will help lifters and runners alike. The TB12 Black Camo collection would be a winner here because the company that makes it knows what athletes need for clothing. This gear looks great and will not affect the natural movement of the person wearing it. They are waterproof for those days that the weather may not cooperate as intended.

Coaching Camps

Many pro players and coaches have training camps for younger players who want to improve their skill sets, whether for football, baseball, basketball, or any other sport. Camps are held all over the country, and they could be a game changer for your athlete. Finding one in your area and signing your athlete up would be a gift that could keep giving long after the holidays are over.

Gym Membership

There is also the option of saving your athlete or lifter some hard-earned money. A gift certificate for a gym membership will bring a smile to the face every single time. Many gyms have sales or promotions going on during the holidays for the New Year. It’s a great time to take advantage and knock one item off of the holiday list very quickly. If you know someone who wants to start training, this could be the incentive they need to go all in.

Online Fitness Services

Perhaps you or someone you know wants to train at home. There are choices available for those folks as well. On-demand fitness services allow the person to train in the comfort of their own walls at any time they wish. There are workouts designed for beginners and advanced users and endurance and for burning calories fast. Sweat Factor is a popular service that has helped many people who need to train at home. Most classes only require dumbbells, but others are bodyweight movements only.

Food Service

If you have someone in college, consider signing them up for food service. These services deliver pre-made meals to the door so all the student has to do is heat the food up and enjoy. Some companies have full meals while others precook items and the user can put them together as desired. Bigger cities have local services, but other options to consider are Trifecta, Blue Apron, and Hello Fresh.

Cash

Kids of all ages love cash. All of the parents we talked to agreed, kids love cash, and most prefer it. If you think it’s too impersonal, here are some fun ideas to give cash.