14 Christmas Gifts Teenagers in Sport Will Actually Want
It’s that time of year again—Christmas is creeping up! Cue the usual chaos: figuring out where to spend the day and the yearly stress of buying gifts you have no idea they'll even want. You’d think shopping for a sports-obsessed teenager would be simple, but asking them for gift ideas invariably results in a shrug and an “I dunno.” Not exactly helpful!
So, you’re left to Google “Best gifts for athletes.” Hoping for ideas that’ll either help them up their game or make their sport more fun, you instead get the same tired suggestions: a cheap plastic water bottle that’ll disappear at practice, expensive white socks that’ll never stay white, or a cringe-worthy sports-themed mug they’ll never use.
To ease this pain and to save you the frustration, we went straight to the source and asked athletes themselves what they’d really love to receive. Here are our top 14 ideas, including (shamelessly!) a subscription to The Athlete Place platform... because our network of professional athletes and Olympians all wish they'd had access to something like this when they were younger. Just sayin'!
Training Accessories
Training Diary - Any pro will tell you that training diaries are an invaluable tool to track progress, set goals, and reflect on their journey. They encourage focus, accountability, and motivation while also helping athletes stay organised and driven. The Pursuit Training Journal, created by athletes, caught our eye the other day, and we absolutely love it.
£24 from Swifter
Stainless Steel Water bottle - Having a good quality, sustainable bottle they genuinely like will mean this one won't be left at training! These can last years, so we recommend you buy from a company that offers lid replacements. We recommend One Green Bottle, a sustainable company based in Sussex that just happens to have supplied Team GB during the Olympics! We particularly love their slick 800ml Evolution bottle.
£28 from One Green Bottle
Weightlifting/Gym gloves
If your athlete does gym sessions, chances are they'll be lifting weights. Lifting gloves provide a better grip, protect hands from blisters and calluses, and offer wrist support, helping your athlete lift more comfortably and safely during workouts. These Gymshark Wrap Lifting Gloves are a popular choice.
£25 from Gymshark
Weightlifting Belt
Weightlifting belts are an essential purchase for athletes who are looking to develop their strength in the gym whilst ensuring they stay injury-free. All too often, we see young and inexperienced athletes injuring themselves, lifting too heavy and not supporting their backs. The belt below is tried and tested by the best.
£34.99 from Strength Shop
Weightlifting Straps
Straps are fantastic for those athletes looking to take their strength training to the next level. Straps support your grip, allowing you to lift heavier weights and perform more repetitions, which leads to improved strength and muscle development. You can get these from the same website as the lifting belt, making a great combination.
£7.99 from Strength Shop
Resistance Band Set
These resistance bands are a staple for any athlete’s kit bag. Used in training and on game day and with varying strength levels, these are great Christmas presents for any athlete.
£12.99 from Strength Shop
Gloves
For those cold days, whether they're walking to school or uni lectures or doing an outdoor training session or game, a pair of decent gloves is a must-have. These Inov8 Race Elite Gloves come at an affordable price, making them a great option, as gloves tend to get mislaid. These are touchscreen compatible, meaning phone and watch use is still possible.
£15.99 from Sportsshoes.com
Dry Robe
These are the new must-haves and are a game-changer for every athlete, from swimmers to rugby players and everything in between. Dry robes keep them warm, dry, and cosy before, during, and after training and competitions. Maybe put one on your own Christmas list too! Pictured below is the Dryrobe Advance Long Sleeve.
£165 from dryrobe
Performance and Lifestyle
The Athlete Place (Annual Subscription)
This Christmas, invest in a gift that goes beyond the usual gear and gives your athlete a competitive edge over their opponents—a subscription to The Athlete Place, the Ultimate Performance Lifestyle Platform for aspiring athletes. CLICK HERE to see what's included.
Designed to support athletes of any age or ability and across all sports, our online “toolkit” offers expert information on the essential areas that impact sports performance, like nutrition, sleep, mindset, and recovery. Importantly, it also covers real-world challenges athletes face, such as injury recovery, mental health, and even anti-doping awareness.
With video lessons led by elite athletes and industry experts, this platform brings relatable insights and actionable guidance straight to your athlete. They'll hear firsthand from top performers across sports, helping them see what it really takes to thrive.
Choose from:
TAP Junior for athletes aged 12+
TAP Senior for athletes aged 18+
Annual Membership £50
NutriBullet
Athletes love these! Perfect for quickly blending breakfast or recovery smoothies packed with fruits, veggies, yoghurt and milk for a nutrient and protein-packed hit. The NutriBullet 900 Series 7-piece version would be our choice and easily worth the extra cost as it provides both large and small cups, a carry handle and, importantly, a cup lid, meaning the smoothie can be taken to training. Ideal for those at university or college.
£69.99 from NutriBullet
Books
Unbroken. My Journey From Despair To Glory by Katarina Johnson-Thompson
KJT was an Olympian at 19... in 2012. let that sink in! Twelve years later, she came home from this year's Paris Olympics with the silver medal in heptathlon. I (Joe, founder of The Athlete Place) have been Katarina's training pacemaker for the last two years, and I can confirm that she's an absolute warrior.
£12.50 from Amazon
Good For A Girl by Lauren Fleshman
This a must-read for female athletes, especially runners, offering an eye-opening look at the challenges women face in endurance sports, including the prevalence of disordered eating. As one of America's most decorated distance runners and a fierce advocate for women in sports, she shares her personal journey with raw honesty. Her story is both enlightening and shocking, shedding light on issues often overlooked in athletics, making this book a powerful and inspiring read for athletes of all levels.
£10.25 from Waterstones
Everyone should have a copy. This is truly one of those life-changer reads that teaches us how small, consistent changes can lead to big improvements. Perfect for athletes who need better habits in areas such as training, nutrition and sleep for improved sports performance.
From £10 from James Clear
Shoe Dog by Phil Knight
The co-founder of Nike, tells the inspiring story of how the brand was built through perseverance, vision, and determination. It’s a motivational read that shows the power of resilience in overcoming obstacles and achieving big dreams.
£10.99 from Waterstones
We hope our suggestions have helped you tick another name off your 'to buy for' list and that your athlete loves their present(s), too.
Wishing you all a happy Christmas and a successful and enjoyable sporting 2025!
If you need any recommendations, don’t hesitate to reach out and ask - we’d be happy to help!
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