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CrossFit Gifts for Her Fully Reviewed

last updated: Feb 10, 2020

Search "fitness gifts for women" on Amazon, Etsy, Wish, or Google, and you'll be surprised at the lackluster results.

We're talking about reviewers who offer 12 items for women athletes, with half of them being tank tops or yoga mats. For some reason, many writers assume women love colorful resistance bands more than heavy barbell squats, too.

In reality, there isn't a set of items that all women will uniformly enjoy and benefit from. If you are buying a gift for a friend, loved one, or coworker, you probably know better the person better than the internet does. We've included gifts that will promote fitness and make your friend happy, without limiting ourselves to pink and purple fabrics or "yoga bras."

How is a yoga bra different from a bra, bra?

While we can't answer that question, we can share some unique ideas for the sweat lover in your life.

In a Hurry? The test winner after 4 hrs of research

WOD Nation Jump Rope
WOD Nation Jump Rope
Why is it better?

Angled handles are easier on wrists

Wider grip area for holding on tightly

Cable is indestructible but can snip to height with wire cutters

Ball-bearing rotation is flawless every time

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21 CrossFit Gifts For Her

1. WOD Nation Jump Rope

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WOD Nation Jump Rope
Amazon Link
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$17.99
Features

Angled handles are easier on wrists

Wider grip area for holding on tightly

Cable is indestructible but can snip to height with wire cutters

Ball-bearing rotation is flawless every time

This thin cable rope cuts through the air with ease, adding extra speed to your fitness friend's cardio routine. The rope comes in nine different solid colors to fit anyone's personal style. The aerodynamic design means you can keep going even if you miss a swing.

2. Tough Cookies Muscle Mermaid Tank

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Tough Cookies Muscle Mermaid Tank
Amazon Link
best offer for today
Amazon Link
Features

Sizes small to extra large

Scoop neck front, racerback rear

Also comes in ringer tees, hoodies, long sleeve styles and more

Designed for tough workouts, works for running errands too

This cozy tank top is made of a cotton and polyester blend for freedom of movement and sweat abatement. The thin shirt keeps the wearer cool and lets air circulate to the skin. The logo is a parody of the Starbucks Coffee mermaid, but with beefy powerlifter arms.

3. Fit Four WD Top

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Fit Four WD Top
Amazon Link
best offer for today
Amazon Link
Features

Won't stretch out or lose shape over time

Thin material lets you breathe and move

Comes down to waist

Indoor and outdoor comfort

This snug, attractive, lightweight sleeveless tee has nothing but Spandex in its DNA. Crossfit logos grace the front, to let everyone at the gym know your loved one is about results.
The shirt provides light compression and is preshrunk for a perfect fit even after long term use.

4. Tone Fitness Vinyl Kettlebell

$$$$
Tone Fitness Vinyl Kettlebell
Amazon Link
best offer for today
Amazon Link
Features

Slightly higher priced set includes workout DVD, wall chart

Set includes 5, 10, and 15-pound kettlebells

Extra-wide handle opening for easy access

Flat bottom keeps kettlebells stable when not in use

Any functional fitness devotee will know just what to with this comfort grip kettlebell. Train at home, at work, or in the bathroom with this great gift from Tone Fitness. The vinyl shell and concrete innards mean a lower price than you'd pay for cast iron bells.

5. Wishlotus Bluetooth Earbuds

$$
Wishlotus Bluetooth Earbuds
Amazon Link
best offer for today
Amazon Link
Features

Easy to reach volume and power controls

LED power-on light

Low profile USB charging port

Cables won't kink or get in the way

Filters out background noise (NOT noise canceling)

These red and black earbuds are pretty basic and easy on the budget. Reviewers indicate the buds will stay in ears during all kinds of activity. The cables have a loopy noodle shape to prevent them from kinking or twisting.

6. Gwee Earbud Holders

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Gwee Earbud Holders
Amazon Link
best offer for today
Amazon Link
Features

Keeps earbuds from getting lost or damaged

Good for workouts or for earbud storage

Comes in several colors

Magnetic clasp holds securely when closed

Ever watch your favorite fitness buff struggle to untangle their trusted earbuds from a full bag or purse? The Gwee is a magnetized clasp with a soft outer shell and microfiber center. It can clip to a shirt and keep the earbud cables from migrating, and can also stow the buds away when not in use. Bonus points--the outer part is also a lens cleaner!

7. Brimma Leak Proof Infusion Bottle

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Brimma Leak Proof Infusion Bottle
Amazon Link
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$13.75
Features

Easy to use, and won't have to change fruit every day

BPA free plastic, recycles at end of life

Top-rack dishwasher ready

Shatterproof design

Quick access lid for sipping

Give your gym buddy a break from plain old water with this 32-ounce leakproof infuser. Made from food-grade plastic, the Brimma is shatterproof and eco-friendly. Filters in the inner fruit cylinder keep pulp and seeds out of the main area.

8. Fitness Kings Foam Roller

$$$$
Fitness Kings Foam Roller
Amazon Link
best offer for today
Amazon Link
Features

18-inch foam cylinder with firm support

Massage stick is 18 inches and ridged for extra tissue relief

Two massage balls, round and spiked, help reach smaller areas

Comes with ample instructions for foam roller newbies

The Fitness Kings set will make your loved one feel like a flexible, relaxed, pain-free Queen every time she uses it. Not just a roller, the set includes a narrow massage stick, a yoga/carry strap, and a spiked ball for hard to reach muscle groups. You also get a round ball, travel bag, and an array of instructional videos.

9. Reebok Women's CrossFit Nano 9.0

$$$$$
Reebok Women's CrossFit Nano 9.0
Amazon Link
best offer for today
Amazon Link
Features

Latest Nano update adds a more stable outsole

Flexweave fabric is super durable and breathable

Wide toe box gives you freedom, balance, and increased performance

Shoe profile is low cut, close to the ground, allowing even more flexibility

If you frequent fitness sites or chat with other gym devotees on Facebook, you've seen the ads for the all-new Nano 9 cross-trainer. Birthed for running, lifting, CrossFit, cycling and most any other general fitness activity, these women's CrossFit shoes incorporate a wide toebox that feels roomy and allows for careful movement and effective balance.

10. Barerun Barefoot Water Shoes

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Barerun Barefoot Water Shoes
Amazon Link
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$15.99
Features

Breathable, stretchy, sweat fighting fabric

Rubber soles protect from rocks, glass, other debris

Made for wear without socks

Color and size options for every pair of feet

File these form-fitting, quick-dry, minimalist shoes under the "sweating outside the box" file. They are perfect for beach runs, the pool, yoga, regular outside walks, and chilling in the sauna after any or all of it. The unisex shoes are made of polyester and other stretch synthetics, with rubber soles that are both grippy and thin.

11. Mummystrength Pullup Assist Bands

$$$
Mummystrength Pullup Assist Bands
Amazon Link
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$19.95
Features

Uber durable, tear-resistant, non-warping thick latex bands

Can buy in resistance appropriate to experience level and goals

Portable device anyon can use anywhere

Bands don't have handles, can hook to any fitness surface

These thick, tough, durable latex bands come in resistance values from 5 pounds to 175 pounds. Though aimed at pull up enhancement, you can attach them to your legs or ankles for an entire universe of resistance exercise without weights or bars. They also work great for getting those extra inches out of your stretching and flexibility routines.

12. Queenike Medium Support Sport Bra

$$$
Queenike Medium Support Sport Bra
Amazon Link
best offer for today
Amazon Link
Features

Comes in 8 color choices

Strappy back that won't bind or tangle

Removable cup inserts

Fabric is supportive but allows for cooling air, while wicking sweat

More of a bralette than a bra, the Queenike lives in that gap between padded bras and sports bras. It is meant to be worn as a solo top, giving your loved one even more freedom than a strappy tank top. The front panel has double fabric for extra support, but the bralette doesn't constrict or generate sweat.

13. RUNBACH iPhone XR Armband

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RUNBACH iPhone XR Armband
Amazon Link
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$9.59
Features

Fully adjustable strap means one size really does fit all

Protective clear screen lets you operate the phone

Includes key, earbud, cash, debit card, and ID storage

Lycra fabric is gentle on skin

Comes with a lifetime guarantee

Like the Reebok Nano, iPhones keep getting better and better as updated models carry on the device's legacy. This bargain-priced armband fits the latest, greatest iPhone XR like a sports bra. The phone slot is 6.1 inches wide. Phone operation is easy, and you can even slide the phone in without removing your case. The water repellent lycra fabric band provides slots for earbuds, keys, and even fitness drink money for an in-gym powerup.

14. Rogue Fitness Ab Mat

$$$$
Rogue Fitness Ab Mat
Amazon Link
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$52.00
Features

Simple but effective lightweight training aid

Foam padding gives support without too much rigidity

Secure double machine stitching for toughness

Bottom part is nonskid and will stay in place during workout

Rogue Fitness is known for their barbells and other lifting gear, but this curved foam and vinyl mat matches the natural arch of your back. It relieves pressure on the lumbar spine and hip flexors during crunches and crunch variations.

15. Amazon Basics Neoprene Dumbbells

$$$$
Amazon Basics Neoprene Dumbbells
Amazon Link
best offer for today
Amazon Link
Features

Neoprene is easy on the hands, durable--won't cause damage if dropped

Color-coded by weight

Hex shaped heads prevent rolling

Amazon offers a full one year warranty

Amazon's newish in house Basics line is just what it says--almost ruthlessly utilitarian, with few extra features and a budget-friendly price tag. These neoprene fixed weight dumbbells come in sets of one to 48 pounds, with the ability to mix and match. Complete sets come with a one-piece stand for storage and quick access.

16. Gomoyo Blender Bottle

$$
Gomoyo Blender Bottle
Amazon Link
best offer for today
Amazon Link
Features

Made from BPA free plastics

Motivational quote on the side

Comes in five different colors

Safe in dishwasher, also easy to wash by hand

20 ounce or 28-ounce options

Everybody loves a good blender bottle. They let you nourish your body and muscles with protein or supplement smoothies. For many of us desk warriors, the blender bottle is a lunchbox. This one has a loop for carrying or clipping to a backpack, along with an ergonomic sipping tube and a cap made to stay open when you need it to.

17. PaleoKrunch Grainless Granola

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PaleoKrunch Grainless Granola
Amazon Link
best offer for today
Amazon Link
Features

Comes in resealable plastic bags

Shelf life of one year

Can pair with milk or be its own snack

Granola mix is a good protein source

Steve's Paleogoods offers this nutritious cereal in cinnamon, maple bacon, plain, and a nutless coconut and seed option. They all come in resealable plastic bags, with different weight options. The cereal will stay fresh for up to a year when stored at room temperature. Being grainless means the cereals are paleo compliant. They are also free of gluten and artificial sweeteners. The granola is made from a blend of nuts and seeds, except for the coconut cereal which has no nuts.

18. Sport2People Running Belt

$$
Sport2People Running Belt
Amazon Link
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$14.99
Features

Deep pocket design lets you take out your phone without losing anything else

Fabric, the zipper is waterproof

Adjustable fit

This secure belt straps around your hips to keep your phone, cash, and other personal effects safe and together while you run, walk or hike. Having your phone is important for safety, and this way you don't have to worry about an armband or deal with a flappy, heavy pocket. There is a compartment just for the phone, so it will not bump up against keys and gest scratched.

19. Inspirational Running Socks

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Inspirational Running Socks
Amazon Link
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$9.98
Features

Many slogans to choose from

Low cut won't make ankles sweat

Cuff keeps sock from sliding into shoe

Made with spandex for easy wear, snug feel

Low cut running socks with embroidered motivational slogans. There are 28 different slogans to choose from, each in a different color with the same pattern. The socks are acrylic, nylon, and spandex, with moisture-wicking properties.

20. Fitlosophy Desk Calendar

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Fitlosophy Desk Calendar
Amazon Link
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$12.58
Features

Pages include fit, nutrition tips

One page per day with helpful words

Can be reused year after year

Small enough for a nightstand

This desk or nightstand calendar provides a motivational quote or reading for each day of the year. It includes tips for healthy eating, healthy cooking, and ways to get moving. The calendar can be used again at the end of the year.

21. Fit and Fresh Lunch Bag

$$$
Fit and Fresh Lunch Bag
Amazon Link
best offer for today
Amazon Link
Features

Comes in a variety of colors, patterns

Durable dishwasher safe fabric

Two carry handles

Includes sandwich, snack, entree containers

These quirky, colorful handle bags come with food prep totes and a reusable ice cube. The fabric is free of BPAs and can go through the dishwasher. Insulation in the bag keeps food from getting too warm.

expert tips icon
You Can't do That in Cross Training Sneakers

Cross trainers are not running shoes.

Running shoes are engineered to absorb the impact of skin, bone, and joints on a had surface, over and over again, for miles and hours of running. They have a narrower toe box for aerodynamics. Running shoes will also have more cushioning than cross-training shoes. Running shoes have flexible soles, which aids in shock absorption while also allowing your feet to move.

Cross trainers will have a thick sole, one that doesn't bend or flex when you use your hands. The toe box and outsole are bigger and wider, with a focus on stability rather than cushioning. The cross trainer is designed to keep you balanced, on your feet, and able to maximize your strength for lifting weights or doing other moves that aren't high impact cardio.

Because using the wrong shoe, for any activity, can lead to injury, it is important to know the difference between a runner and a cross-trainer.

CrossFit: The New Jogging?

Some of us are old enough to remember the explosion of running as a recreational sport in the 1970s. Many historians trace it back to 1972 when elite runner Frank Shorter won the marathon at the Munich Olympics. He was the first American to win that event since 1908. History repeats itself, and Americans love their sports heroes; consider the massive popularity of the reigning U.S. Women's National Soccer Team, and it's easy to understand how running inspired and partially equalized athletes of all genders after Shorter's victory. Runner's World magazine became the unofficial voice of the running boom. The magazine is still going strong today after many print magazines have folded or severely cut back on features. It often features women runners in interviews and on the cover.

Today, though, professional trainers and sporting apparel companies recognize that long, slow distance running, by itself, is not the most efficient means to overall fitness. Intervals are popular now. Athletes lift weights and do core work, to build a whole-body system that will support wellness and promote immunity. Yoga went from a spiritual practice to a key ingredient of videos with words like "insanity" in the title. Anyone can do deadlifts or barbell squats now, perhaps at a low-cost gym since we can't all afford Olympic weight sets.

Twice a decade or so, a specific sport blows up and becomes, for a few years, a way of life for many people. At the moment, one of those sports is CrossFit. It offers all the things that led many of us to pursue recreational fitness in the first place:

Increased strength--squats are a part of many WODs, and nor CrossFit box is complete without a bodyweight training area.

Cross-training--a typical CrossFit WOD or class will include stretching, a short easy warm-up run, fast intervals, calisthenics, pull-ups, jump rope, and a cool-down period. Experienced CrossFitters can replicate the experience at home, with no need for live instruction.

A sense of community--though it's popular and has plenty of true believers, CrossFit feels like a fan club or social event the same way a yoga class can. We've often been challenged, asked why we would spend money on a gym membership when we can get the same benefits at home. The answer is simple--a lot of fitness buffs are social people, who like to be around others and feel a sense of shared purpose. There's nothing wrong with that, provided one can afford gym fees. CrossFit offers you a chance to blast your muscles along with new friends and old friends, and the exhaustion afterward creates a shared bond.

That brings us to our last point about CrossFit--it's competitive. Americans love competing with friends. We don't know why--many of us are just fine with 5 or 10-mile solo walks. But many fitness enthusiasts thrive on trying to one-up each other. As long as it stays friendly and doesn't promote toxic behavior, we see nothing wrong with a little friendly rivalry.

CrossFit is here to stay. Similar to MMA and UFC style fighting, too, we've seen CrossFit add safety features, structure, more rules, and things like rest breaks into its fabric. While it's still about challenging yourself, CrossFit is now more accessible to neophyte athletes. With its emphasis on strength, versatility, community, and competition, our money says CrossFit won't be going anywhere and will continue to claim new adherents.

Frequently Asked Questions

q: Will women get bulky if they try to lift weights?

a:

Cisgender women, those whose gender identity matches their birth certificate, will simply not "bulk up" the way cisgender men often do. This is a dangerous myth that prevents many women from pursuing strength training, which can improve one's quality of life and also increase the effectiveness of other sport or fitness pursuits.

As usual, we'll turn to science for the answer. Jacque Crockford, a spokesperson for ACE (the American Council on Exercise), gave a good explanation in Shape magazine. You can find the article link in our Sources section, but here's the rundown:

Lifting weights burns calories, which will only increase muscle tone, add definition, make the heart more efficient, and promote strength and balanced throughout any human's body. The bulk comes from a carefully planned high protein diet, along with deliberate and consistent workouts with heavyweight and large muscle group exercises like barbell squats. Sets of bench presses, with a comfortable weight, won't make muscles bulge.

The difference between general strength training and, say, powerlifting, too, could not be more clear. When you watch a bodybuilding competition, you are looking at people of all genders who have spent hours or years at the gym, challenging themselves to lift progressively heavier weight. This is often done with the help of a trainer. The average woman doing dumbbell flys is just never going to have what many call (we cringe saying it) "man arms." She's going to burn calories even when she's not in the gym, enjoy more restful sleep, and be able to respond to emergency situations without getting exhausted. Not the same thing as deadlifting a truck body, not by a longshot.

A ripped, muscular body is the result of careful planning and an augmented eating plan. It is not something that happens by accident, for men, women, or nonbinary athletes. If we could, we'd put an end to all the misinformation surrounding weight training. We dream of a world where everyone sees barbells, dumbbells, benches, and power racks for what they are--reliable tools that can bring a sense of well being and confidence to anyone who cares to use them.

q: Are women more flexible than men?

a:

We try to avoid blanket statements and generalizations, but, as a rule of thumb, cisgender women are naturally more flexible than cisgender men. It has a lot to do with how testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone (a naturally occurring hormone that regulates fertility among other things) all affect physiological development. Individuals with more estrogen than testosterone (because most of us have some of each) will tend to have long muscles with more elastic properties. This does give a biological advantage when it comes to touching one's toes, bending over from a standing position, or sitting in full lotus or other advanced yoga asanas.

q: My daughter wants to get into working out, and she needs some famous role models. Can you help?

a:

We love this question! Here are some contemporary athletic women who can inspire your daughter.

Megan Rapinoe, soccer star and co-captain for both the USWNT and Seattle Reign NWSL team. Off the field, she has advocated for her teammates to be paid on the same scale that professional male soccer players are.

Kara Goucher is a professional long-distance runner, a profession that's even harder to thrive in than it sounds. She has competed in the Olympics more than once, and in 2007, Goucher ran the fastest half marathon of any woman for that year at the Great North Run.

Venus and Serena Williams. They hardly need an introduction, but these sisters rose to the top of women's professional tennis with nothing but a tennis racket and an iron will. Serena, especially, is often the topic of "pretty sure I could score on her" speculation from people who don't even play tennis, which is kind of a compliment if you think about it.

q: How can I start doing double unders with a jump rope?

a:

The double under was officially born in 2001 on CrossFit.com. Part of many WODs, the double under involves jumping a jump rope twice during a single revolution. There's nothing easy about it, but doing double unders effectively can train the heart, building speed, power, and agility, as no other exercise can.

We've included a link to a more thorough resource in our Sources section. But if you are thinking about double under domination, a basic training progression would look like this:

1. Get good at single unders. If you haven't been jumping rope 3-5 times a week for a year or more, just not hitting it with your feet every time will be difficult. Practicing for at least twenty minutes a day will start to build a foundation for more advanced performance. Just don't forget to program in rest periods.

2. Jump higher. To do a double under at all, your feet have to go higher in the air and remain there for a few seconds or less extra. This is called power jumping, and it is very painful when you start. If it's feasible, do your power jumping on a gymnasium floor that has some give to it.

3. Once you are comfortable with both standard single unders and power jumping, you can start nailing single unders while still remaining airborne long enough to add a second pass. This means you are ready to do your first few double unders and can advance from there. Go you!

q: I want to try CrossFit, but it's so intense. Don't you find it intimidating?

a:

Well, maybe, but it helps to remember that everyone doing the training was a beginner once. Just like with buying equipment, you can research and find the perfect CrossFit box for you before you bite the bullet and join. Talking to friends, reading online reviews, and taking advantage of free introductory sessions can all help you feel more comfortable and prepared.

q: Which sports and activities attract more women?

a:

This is a good question, one we couldn't find much hard data on. The popular conception is that women run, take yoga and Pilates classes, and do Zumba. Men, by contrast, lift weights and play football. But all you have to do is look up the Independent Women's Football League, Women's Football Alliance, and the United States Women's Football League to know these myths don't reflect reality.

We did find some survey results. According to a study released in Scotland in 2007, women enjoy walking, swimming, aerobics, and dance to a greater extent than men do. Anecdotally, if you take a yoga class, you'll probably see that women make up a greater percentage of students than men do. We take anecdotal evidence and small scale surveys with a grain of salt, though, and part of our mission is to make fitness in all its forms available to people of all genders and backgrounds.

Sources

  1. Funding4Sport/Richard Sutcliffe, Women’s participation in sport and physical activity, funding4sport.co.uk
  2. Dan Cancian, Megan Rapinoe Meets With Senators..., Newsweek
  3. Wiki Staff, Double Unders, Unofficial Crossfit Wiki Page
  4. Lauren Mazzo, 5 Reasons Why Lifting Heavy Weights *Won't* Make You Bulk Up, Shape Magazine