The Hands-Down Best Gifts for Yogis and Pilates Lovers

Take a step out of the world of plain black and gray yoga mats with this Yoga Mat from Liforme. It has a unique pattern that makes it look like a rug fit for royalty. It’s pricey for a yoga mat, we get it. But we think it’s well worth it for someone who practices regularly. “This is definitely on the higher end for yoga mats, but they’re high quality and built to last,” shares our editorial director, Simone Scully.

If your loved one’s been practicing pilates for a while now, they might want to up their game. Imagine doing a plank and mountain climbers with slippery sliders under your feet — suddenly, those familiar moves become a whole lot more challenging. These sliders from Bodi come with booties, so you can seamlessly switch between using them on a hard floor or carpeting. And, if you’re looking for more strength-based workouts, Bodi has over 200 fitness plans for you to choose from.

If you have a friend who loves taking Pilates studio classes, odds are they’re familiar with the Pilates arc, box, or tower. All of these contraptions can be excellent for boosting the burn, but they can also be uncomfortable and sweaty. Whether it’s slippery, sweaty hands or the hard surface of the Pilates arc, this mat can help provide extra grip. It’s not the thickest yoga mat, but it’s incredibly sturdy — our editor, Ally Hirschlag, has had one for years, and it looks brand new. It’s also very budget-friendly.

The Pilates circle, inflatable ball, and petite weights are common props that many Pilates enthusiasts keep on hand. Give them something new with this precision rotator disc from Balanced Body. It challenges stability and encourages rotational movement in the joints, thus increasing strength, joint function, and flexibility. Just a note: Your gift recipient will need to head to the website to learn how to use it. “They’re not intuitive to use — they are confusing at first,” admits writer Brittany Vargas. That said, the potential benefits outweigh any learning curve.

The tight support of many sports bras can be a bit much for low-key classes and easygoing living room workouts. This low-impact sports bra from Shefit is perfect for a bit of support during ultra-chill circumstances. “When I say that it’s worth every penny, I am not exaggerating,” says writer Raki Swanson. She loves how supportive and comfortable it is. Bonus points that it’s adjustable and easy to wash.

Since having my son, I’ve been desperately trying to squeeze in a few minutes of movement whenever I can. This Totter + Tumble Roamer Play Mat is made from cushy memory foam and is double-sided, with a different pattern on each side. After I got mine, I realized that it would also be great for exercising — a win-win! So, whenever my son is playing elsewhere, I’ll sneak in a quick mat Pilates class (usually from the Pilates Class app). The play mat comes in three sizes: standard (83 by 55 inches), compact (72 by 49 inches), and round (55 inches). There’s a wide variety of colors and patterns to choose from, and you can clean it easily with warm, soapy water.

Yoga and Pilates are two forms of movement that can help boost anyone’s self-care routine. But self-care isn’t just physical movement. That’s why we love the book Real Self-Care by Pooja Lakshmin, MD, a board-certified psychiatrist and clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at George Washington University School of Medicine. This book offers an alternative, deeper look at what “self-care” really means — looking inward and reflecting on how to treat yourself with compassion and care.

Fitness isn’t just about how you move. It’s also about how you take care of yourself between your movement sessions. Moon Juice’s Magnesi-Om is a tasty magnesium supplement that may help decrease bloating, encourage healthy digestion, and lull anyone who drinks it into a blissful sleep. I’ve taken it consistently for three years and love how it helps me fall asleep without feeling groggy the next morning.

The Tidal Roller is 20 inches long and 5 inches wide, and it also comes in a smaller version, Ripple, which is 11 inches long and 3.35 inches wide. Even better? It’s environmentally friendly, with an inner core made from 80 percent recycled EVA foam and an outer layer made from 15 percent bloom algae foam.

Let’s be real: Preparing an entire meal after a hard workout can be a drag. For people who are already extremely busy, a meal prep plan can be a life raft. Gardencup offers delicious salads like the Chicken Bacon Cobb or Mediterranean Salad, soups, vegetable and fruit sides, snack cups like the Apple Crumble Overnight Oats, and cold-pressed juices. “The Strawberry Spinach Salad is incredible. Truly so good. The caprese is awesome too,” shares Scully. Gardencup delivers nationwide, weekly or biweekly, and everything is recyclable or biodegradable, including the BPA-free plastic cups, box, liner, and ice packs.

Matcha, or ground powder of green tea leaves, is a coffee alternative that has less caffeine but can still provide a kick in the a.m. to get you ready for an early morning workout. The Beginner’s Bundle from Mantra Matcha is perfect for people who are just getting to know matcha. It comes with three different types, so your giftee can figure out which one they like best: Super Premium Ceremonial Matcha, Cinnamon Goji Berry Matcha, and Banana Cacao Matcha. They’re all vegan and keto-friendly, with zero grams of sugar and no artificial sweeteners. If you know your special someone’s favorite flavors, you can build your own bundle for them, with flavors like Ginger Beet Matcha, Strawberry Lemon Matcha, Rose Hip Dragon Fruit Matcha, and more to pick from.

A great workout can feel fantastic. Feeling hangry afterward is not. These protein energy bites from Modballs are perfect for your friend who’s always hungry after a workout. Stocking their gym bag with these energy bites will keep them satiated after their workout and beyond. Writer Kitty Broihier appreciates the convenient individually wrapped packaging. “They also have a good dose of fiber (2 to 3 grams per ball) and 3 grams of protein per ball, so they seem like a wholesome snack option,” she explains. Modballs come in two flavors — Almond Coconut and Peanut Butter Chocolate, and both are loaded with chunks of 85 percent cacao, whole-grain oats, and yummy ingredients like pumpkin seeds, pistachios, dried berries, and more.

Hydration is everything when working out, but plain water can get old. Caliwater is a thirst-quenching beverage that uses cactus water to hydrate, along with electrolytes and vitamin C. The mixed 12-pack includes flavors like Wild Prickly Pear, Ginger Lime, and Watermelon. “It’s definitely a tasty alternative to heavily sugar-laden and colored drinks,” says writer Catherine Brown. Each can contains 30 to 35 calories (depending on the flavor) and has 6 to 7 grams of added sugar, in the form of organic blue agave and organic monk fruit extract.

If you or a loved one is a fan of coffee but not the caffeine, then Ryze mushroom coffee might be the perfect gift. Ryze is a coffee alternative that uses mushrooms as a natural little jolt. This kit is a fantastic gentle introduction to the world of mushroom coffee. “I love that this kit is trying to get you started using mushroom coffee — you get enough to sample and use for at least two weeks,” explains Swanson. The Ritual Set comes with two bags of Mushroom Coffee (60 servings), one bag of Superfood Creamer, plus an array of free gifts: a jar, scoop, and spoon made from acacia wood, a limited-edition glass, and travel-size packets of mushroom coffee and creamer.