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Are you sick of sifting through gift ideas for your employees that just feature the same-old corporate swag? Enough with the boring T-shirts, tumblers with company logos, and gift cards that no one uses.
This list of the best wellness gifts for employees will give you ideas about what a true employee appreciation gift looks like—one that actually promotes healthy habits and overall well-being.
While our team of product testers and writers here at Garage Gym Reviews enjoy the occasional bath bomb and essential oil blend, we know your employees need more than an aromatherapy gift basket to de-stress and claim their health.
Best Gifts Under $50
Under $50
Ice Shaker
The Ice Shaker makes a fantastic gift alone or you can add it to a wellness gift set featuring other supplements. Unlike plastic shaker cups and water bottles, this Ice Shaker uses stainless steel to keep drinks cool for up to 30 hours. Plus, it fits in standard-size cup holders.
Under $20
Mark Bell Sling Shot Hip Circle
For just $20, the Mark Bell Sling Shot Hip Circle makes a great gift by providing your employees with a versatile and durable mini loop band for resistance training of all styles. These bands won’t break, so your employees can exercise without fear of getting snapped.
Under $40
Gaiam Yoga Mat
A Gaiam yoga mat invites your employees to take a pause during the day for deep breaths, stretching, or just a relaxing savasana yoga pose. The practice of yoga not only promotes physical health, but mental health, too.
Under $10
Degol Ball Bearing Skipping Rope
Here’s an idea: Start a workplace wellness challenge with a jump rope competition! You can tack on initiatives or incentives to add more movement to your employees’ days and encourage healthy habits.
Under $50
Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag
This Lululemon belt bag will tell your employees how much you appreciate them (and their style). Your employees can stash their phone, wallet, keys, and lip balm all in one place while romping around town or hiking through the woods—talk about a stress reliever!
Under $40
Bodylastics Resistance Bands Set
A set of Bodylastics resistance bands with handles is a super versatile gift that works well for experienced exercisers and beginners alike. An appreciation gift like this could even promote a better work environment by giving everyone access to basic gym equipment.
Under $30
Amazon Basics Foam Roller
A wellness gift we can roll with: A foam roller! A foam roller can help alleviate muscle pains a fatigue from both sitting and exercise.
Under $30
Amphipod Running Water Bottle
For the runners of your pack, here’s a super handy water bottle with an easy-to-use quick-shot cap. It’s super lightweight and ideal for staying hydrated while you run.
Best Supplement Gifts
Best Magnesium
Transparent Labs Magnesium
Your employees will appreciate the benefits of a high-quality magnesium supplement, including enchanted cognition (especially with memory function), deeper sleep, and reduction for those with high blood pressure. Add this to a gift box with other supplements for the ultimate employee gift.
Best Plant-Based Protein
KOS Vegan Protein Powder
If you’re looking to provide a healthy snack that will suit a variety of dietary needs, look no further than KOS Vegan Protein. It’s not only vegan, it’s also suitable for gluten-free, soy-free, non-GMO, and dairy-free diets. It also tastes good and comes in seven flavors. Hooray for healthy eating!
Best Protein Bars
Onnit Protein Bites
Onnit Protein Bites are the perfect gift when you want to give your employees a healthy indulgence. They’re chocolate-dipped squares of goodness packed with anywhere between seven to nine grams of protein depending on which of the five flavors you choose.
Best Collagen
Transparent Labs Grass-Fed Collagen
Transparent Labs Grass-Fed Collagen is a fantastic self-care gift. You’ll provide your employees with a super soluble powdered mix that can support healthy hair, skin, nails, and joints. It even has 10 grams of protein per serving.
Best Low-Sugar Electrolyte
LMNT Electrolyte Drink Mix
LMNT is low-sugar electrolyte powder packed with sodium, potassium, and magnesium to keep your best employees hydrated after any physical activity including strength training, cardio workouts, or bodyweight exercise.
Best Prebiotic Soda
OLIPOP
If you want to promote a healthy lifestyle at your workplace, consider stocking up on healthy alternatives to traditional sugar sodas. OLIPOP has no more than 5 grams of sugar per can and contains prebiotics for digestive health.
Best Recovery Gifts
Best Muscle Pain Cream
Tiger Balm Pain Relieving Ointment
No matter what kind of activity your employees participate in, they are bound to have muscles from time to time. Give the gift of muscle relief with this classic balm that combines a blend of warming sensation of cinnamon and the cooling sensation of menthol to provide relief to sore muscles.
Best Red Light Therapy Devices
NovaaLab Deep Healing Pad
Encourage self-care and wellness with a portable red light therapy device. It can be used on legs, arms, and back. It’s ideal for chronic pain, nagging injuries, and inflammation.
Best Acupressure Mat
CXCTCT XL Yoga Acupressure Mat Set
Promote self-care, muscle recovery, and mindfulness with an acupressure mat. Acupressure is not for the faint of heart, but our testers enjoy the intensity and blood flow that comes with an acupressure session.
Best Recovery Shoes
Crocs Mellow Recovery Clog
Let your employees know you care with a pair of recovery shoes to soothe tired and aching feet. These budget-friendly Crocs are ultra-cushioned and slip on and off easily.
Best Muscle Soak
Dr. Teal’s Epsom Salt Wellness Therapy
The ultimate relaxation awaits your employees with Dr. Teals epsom salt, which quickly relieves sore and aching muscles. While it’s known for reducing soreness and inflammation, epsom salt can also help with minor cuts and skin sensitivities.
Best Massage Gun
Theragun Prime
The Theragun Prime provides powerful impact to sore and aching muscles. It’s the most high-powerful and effective massage gun our testers have tried. When your employees receive this message gun, they’ll have the ultimate massage tool for muscle tune ups and speedy recovery from exercise.
Best Tech Gifts
Best Fitness Tracker Ring
Oura Ring
The Oura Ring is small but mighty. Wear it on one finger and let it sync to your smartphone to track sleep, steps, heart rate, calories, body temperature, and more.
Best Heart Rate Monitor
Polar H10 HRM
Encourage your employees to get their heart rate soaring with the Polar H10 chest strap monitor. It provides one of the most accurate readings we’ve seen in a heart rate monitor. Great for employees who are runners or endurance athletes.
Best Budget Massage Gun
REP Rapidstrike Massage Gun
If you want to make an impact with your gift-giving, consider the massage gun from REP Fitness. It’s powerful, compact, and ideal for folks who train hard, play sports, or need muscular stimulation from the demands of a desk job.
Best Fitness Tracker
Fitbit Charge 4
Perhaps the right option for the folks in your company is the gift of data and fitness tracking. We like the Fitbit Charge 4 because it has just enough tech without being too much. The Fitbit can track your heart rate, daily steps, sleep habits, and has a built-in GPS for mapping outdoor cardio.
Best Earbuds
Beats PowerBeats Pro
PowerBeats wireless earbuds stay in place with handy ear hooks and provide a surround sound-like experience while workout. They’re also sweat- and waterproof. Giving these earbuds as a gift will allow your employees to have nine hours of listening time during any type of physical activity.
Best Portable Speaker
JBL Flip 6
Who says wellness gifts need to be specific to workouts? The JBL Flip 6 can provide your employees with powerful wireless audio for dance parties, guided meditation, and home workouts alike (all of which promote employee well-being). What’s not to love?
Best Training Apps
Best Online Personal Trainer
Future App
If you really want to promote the ultimate health and wellness, consider a corporate gift with online personal training through Future. In fact, Future has an employee health benefit package where you can get your entire company using the app and have your own custom landing page.
Best Cardio Bootcamp App
Peloton App
Peloton offers corporate wellness programs so you can get your entire team using the app. What’s great about Peloton is the fact that your teammates will have a wide variety of classes to choose from that include equipment (like exercise bikes, treadmills, or rowers) or bodyweight routines.
Best Scenic Workouts
iFIT App
The iFIT app can make a great wellness gift for employees with studio classes and outdoor workouts. IFIT has a wide selection of outdoor scenic training sessions for walking, running, rowing, and bodyweight exercises. Your employees can even follow yoga routines and guided meditations.
Best Meal Delivery Services
Best Meal Kit
Green Chef
If you want to guide your employees to claim their health, start by gifting your team with an organic meal kit from Green Chef. These kits come with all the ingredients you need and a recipe card to help you prepare and execute an entire meal.
Best Prepared Meals
EveryPlate
Give the gift of delicious food and time spent cooking back! EveryPlate is a meal delivery service that provides fully prepared meals your employees can enjoy without fussing in the kitchen. There are high-protein and vegetarian options available to suit all dietary needs.
Best Vegan Meal Service
Purple Carrot
If you’re looking to provide vegan and vegetarian options to a meal delivery service, Purple Carrot may be the right choice. Purple Carrot also offers meal kits if you’d rather promote the gift of cooking at home.
Other Wellness Gift Ideas for Employees
We have even more gift ideas that don’t include sleep masks or aromatherapy diffusers! Check them out here:
Gifts for Runners
- Best Gifts for Runners
- Best Trail Running Shoes
- Best Backpacks for Runners
- Best Running Water Bottles
- Best Protein Powder for Runners
- Best Running Headphones
- Best Reflective Running Gear
- Best Running Headbands
Supplement Gift Ideas
- Best Supplements for Runners
- Best Collagen Supplements
- Best ZMA Supplements
- Best Protein Bars for Men
- Best Protein Bars for Women
Best Fitness Apps
Apparel Gift Ideas
- Best Workout Shorts For Men
- Best Workout Shorts for Women
- Best Cross-Training Shoes
- Best Lululemon Shorts
- Best Shoes for Deadlifting
- Best Pilates Socks
- Best Running Socks
- Best Workout Leggings
Gifts for the CrossFit Enthusiast
- Best Gifts for CrossFitters
- Best Training Shoes for CrossFit
- Best Jump Rope
- Best Crossfit Training Programs
- Best CrossFit Apps
More Recovery Gift Ideas
What to Look for in Wellness Gifts for Employees
Here are a few considerations to make before investing in gifts for the whole company:
Overall Interest in Health and Wellness
Before embarking on a shopping spree for your employees, consider polling your company and gauge what type of wellness your team is interested in. While some folks will be interested in instructor-led classes on an app, some folks will be happier learning how to cook at home.
Does it Promote Team-Building and Well-Being?
Consider whether the gift you are giving to your employees can be utilized by folks of different sizes, genders, and abilities. Will it be a gift folks can bond over and encourage one another to use? Or will it turn the workday into cut-throat competition?
Will it Benefit Folks In Home Offices?
Be sure the wellness gift ideas you decide on are accessible for everyone, including people on your team who work from home (hence why we provided options for fitness apps and meal delivery services).
When To Give Employees Health and Wellness Gifts
While a thoughtful gift any time of year is always acceptable, we put together a hand guide for when you might want to consider wellness-focused gifts for your employees:
- Employee birthdays
- Work anniversaries
- Employee promotions and accomplishments
- After completion of a long or stressful project
- Anniversary of when the company started
- Employee appreciation day (first Friday in March)
- During health and wellness awareness campaigns
- Major holidays like Christmas, New Year, Fourth of July, etc.
How To Promote Employee Wellness In The Workplace
The best way to promote healthy habits for your employees is to lead by example. Let’s say you’re concerned your employees don’t take cardiovascular health seriously. It may be time to start putting on your walking shoes on at lunch and take a walk around block or parking lot.
If a culture of health is embedded into the workplace, folks who work for you will be happy to participate in things like walking challenges and gym reimbursements.
Additionally, you may need to survey your staff to see if everyone has access to a health club or fitness facility and make arrangements to ensure there is equitable access to fitness equipment.
Wellness Gifts for Employees: FAQs
What is considered employee wellness?
Employee wellness can be folded into your company culture in different ways. For some companies it might focus more on mental health through lessons on mediation, journaling prompts, or mental health days. For other companies, wellness might take the form of providing healthy lunch options, walking challenges, or access to a gym or fitness classes.
How do you make wellness fun?
While what your teammates consider fun will be completely subjective to each person, creating challenges or programs for teammates to participate in and build rapport with the team is often more fun than participating in wellness programs alone.
How do you create a culture of wellness in the workplace?
Culture often starts with management leading by example. When it comes to wellness, if team leaders are making time (and letting others do the same) for meditation, regular exercise, wellness appointments, and leisure time it may provide more opportunities for everyone to participate in wellness.
Further reading
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