Best Gifts for Martial Artists
Updated: Feb 24, 2022
Gifts for martial artists go from training equipment to videos to help them learn. Check out these great gift ideas for the fighter in your life.
Christmas just ended but there are plenty of occasions where you need to get a gift. Plus, how many times have you gotten to the point where you have no idea what to get a friend, boyfriend, niece/nephew, etc.? God forbid you get them something practical like socks or underwear. Be thee person that gets them something practical and fun, especially if that person is a martial artist. Of course the focus in the list is on the martial arts that I do (BJJ, Muay Thai, Boxing), but hopefully this list can help you plan for your next gift-giving holiday. Here are 12 things you can gift the martial artist in your life.
A fancy new gi/uniform
Some of us that train multiple times a week get tired of washing our uniforms and drying them to get them ready for the next day. ( This sucks extra if you live in China without a dryer). Getting a new go or uniform is a great way to insure that martial artist SO or whoever doesn’t have to do laundry every day and they can flex on their team mates or at their next competition with their new stuff. I own a few 93Brand and Manto Gis, which I really like but there are many brands to choose from.
Picture from 93brand.com
Rashguard/shorts/ spats
Same thing applies as with the new uniform. Plus you can never have too many rashguards or shorts. You can wear them for no gi class, any striking or MMA classes, wrestling, working out, throw on some spats after class and throw on some uggs, or if you want to get your John Danaher on and wear a rash guard all the time. Rashguards can help with self expression so get one that really describes that person’s personality.
Boxing/ MMA gloves
If that person is always training a lot and putting in that work in the gym, a new pair of boxing or MMA gloves are always a good idea. You should have a separate pair of gloves for bag work and for sparring. So this is super practical if your person only has one pair.
Picture from pexels.com
Training Instructional from BJJ Fanatics
Picture from Breaking Grips
Everyone wants to learn from the best and sometimes we can’t all be in NY to go to Marcelo Garcia’s classes or spend a big sum of money on a seminar IF the person comes to your gym (double that if you have to actually travel to the seminar). Then, you have to remember everything that happened in that seminar and write everything down (most seminars don’t allow you to take video during it). With a subscription service or a DVD, the martial artist in your life can rewatch, go back, take notes and practice with the DVD as it goes along.
BJJ Fanatics have most if not all of the best and most famous jiu-jitsu, martial arts, and judo instructionals out there so it's a great way to get started
Warning: They might want to practice with you if they want to start right away.
Smaller essentials: Tape for fingers, wraps, small first aid kit, etc.
Picture from reddit
Good things come in small packages from time to time and it’s not always about spending a lot of money to show that you care. At the gym, it’s annoying to need tape, get cut by that guy who doesn’t cut his nails, or any other small items you might forget at home. And I’m sure it’s even more annoying to the coaches or front desk staff if you’re always asking.
Grappling dummy
Picture from amazon.com
To save yourself from being the Ooki in the result of gift idea #4, a grappling dummy will give your martial arts lover a partner that’s available every single day. Don’t be surprised if your gift giver starts talking to the dummy or if the dummy scares the crap out of you while it’s sitting in some unknown corner of your house. Also, if this a last minute Christmas gift, I would suggest buying online, and giving a voucher to show that the gift is coming
Mats for the living room/ open space
Picture from greatmats.com
If your martial arts lover wants to but can’t make it to the gym every day, making their own in-house gym might be the best thing for them. Putting mats down in some free, open space in your house might be exactly what they need. If you’re concerned that your living room will be forever changed into a dojo, get puzzle mats that can be easily put together and taken apart. The only thing you need to worry about in this case is that the open space might smell like straight up sweaty butt. This is something you can discuss with them in order to manage the smells.
BJJ/ Martial Arts Apparel
Picture from 93brand.com
Clothes are always practical choice for a gift but put some extra piazzas on the typical shirts and socks or whatnot with clever whimsical apparel that says something funny about their chosen martial art or sport.
Put money on their gym membership
Nothing is better than not having to pay for a month or two of your gym membership. Show that special martial artist in your life you care by letting them not have to pay for something they love for a bit.
Picture from pexels.com
Double end bag or Reflex Ball
Picture from boxing914.com
Practicing combos and working a bag is essential for striking sports. If you have the space then gifting a way of continuing their training, get them a punching for the space. Double end bags aren’t as heavy and don’t take up that much space. Or, if you want your SO or gift recipient to look silly walking around your living area punching a small ball connected to their head, a reflex ball set is also a great gift for punching accuracy.
Martial Arts Books (like Jiu-jitsu University or Championship Fighting)
Some people learn best by reading a book or they just want to get into the nitty gritty of their chose martial art. There are many books out there about techniques, autobiographies, history, etc. and I’m sure your martial artist will appreciate the gesture.
Supplement subscription
Picture from hellosubscription.com
Every martial artist needs to fuel their training. Why not get the one in your life the proper nutrients to help them recover after training and while they're out of the gym?
Bonus gift: One of those massaging guns
If you want to splurge a little bit and want to give a gift that will be well appreciated, get a massage gun. Between the warm-ups, cross-training, and just getting punched, kicked, squeezed, twisted, etc. your muscles are sore. This little gun can work wonders on a sore body. Most come with a variety of massaging heads and settings that can get into the little spots that especially feel sore. The gift recipient and their muscles will be so happy to be relieved
This list is meant to give you a list of practical gift giving ideas when you don’t know what to give. Everything on this list will get multiple usage and will help your martial artist or yourself towards improvements in their chosen sport.