While martial arts studios usually want students to buy uniforms and belts from them, there are still plenty of gifts for martial arts lovers without trying to figure out the right equipment. If you are not into the sport of martial arts yourself, it can be very confusing as to what gift to get. There are many different martial arts. Some have opposing methods and have developed from different cultures. As a kid, my son participated in three different martial arts over the course of ten years, so I have experience finding martial arts gifts. I have also talked to other martial artists to find the best gifts for you to buy for the martial artist in your life.
With a smart watch fitness tracker, athletes can monitor their heart rate and keep track of calories.
For the serious martial artist who wants to immerse themselves into the culture, book an Asian excursion to the country of choice.
What better way to display a love of the martial arts than with an iPhone case.
1. The Art of War
Strategy gift for martial artists
My neighbor has recommended this classic numerous times over the years. While an ancient text, it has stood the test of time and will make an interesting read for those obsessed with martial arts.
2. Custom Plaque
Personalized martial arts gifts
For a special gift for a martial artist, you can have a custom photo collage created. You can choose a variety of styles and sizes from a small poster print to a large canvas. You can personalize it further with a message or quote. This also makes a great gift for Sensei.
Light up wall art with their name will give them a sense of pride in their accomplishments each time they turn on the light.
For a funny personalized gift try a custom bobblehead. In addition to martial arts students, custom bobbleheads make a great gift for all sorts of sports fans or occupations.
3. Martial Arts Belt Display
Gifts for martial artists
No matter which martial art someone is doing, he will earn new belts as he develops skills and tests for the next level. Although each discipline has a different order of belts, each participant will still need a place to display the belts he previously earned. These are the trophies of the martial arts world, so a belt display is an important gift for a martial artist. Some belt displays allow personalization, while others don’t. I got a personalized one for my son, but with so many belts he ran out of space. If your martial artist is the type of person to stick with something, I recommend getting one that allows for more belts or buy a second one when the first gets filled.
Instead of wood you can get a fabric holder with plastic overlays to protect the belts. For a gift for the female martial artist you can even get her a pink one. Also, get her some martial arts themed hair accessories to keep her hair out of her face.
4. Lego Ninjago Ninja Dojo Temple
Martial arts gifts for Lego fans
What kid doesn’t dream of being a ninja? And for those who practice martial arts, even moreso. When they aren’t in the dojo themselves, let them train their mind by building and playing with this ninja dojo temple.
The Ninjago series is perfect for young, aspiring martial artists. This dojo with storage will have them practicing katas in their heads while training their lego figures.
Add to their Ninjago empire with the tournament of elements temple.
5. The Fighter’s Kitchen
Martial Arts gift for the stomach
Martial Arts are a discipline for the mind and body. But discipline without fuel will get you nowhere. This book is filled with healthy recipes to build muscle and improve overall health.
6. The Karate Kid Film Collection
Movie night gifts for martial artists
Who doesn’t love these film classics? They will be a special hit with martial arts fans. Even if they have an old version of one of these movies, they will treasure this collection of the 3 original movies, now enhanced with blu-ray.
Set them up with all the fixin’s for their movie marathon with a microwave popcorn maker and popcorn gift set. The microwave popper makes a healthier version of this snack, and the gourmet kernels and flavorings will add some extra pizazz.
7. Gym Bag
Best martial arts gifts
Every martial artist at some point needs a new gym bag. For kids you might want to get a personalized one so they don’t mix it up with their friends’. Or get a cute pink one as a gift for a female martial artist to show off her feminine side.
Another gift idea for martial artists is a cooling towel. These microfiber towels activate when you soak them, wring them out, and snap them. They draw sweat away from the body and keep skin cool. Why not get some organic muscle rub for days when he gets his butt kicked. It includes natural oils such as peppermint, basil, and ginger.
8. Essential Oil Diffuser
Gifts for martial artists for focus and discipline
People who don’t practice martial arts usually think of it as a fighting sport. But really the main focus is on self discipline. An essential oil diffuser will help set the mood for meditation. With relaxing scents such as sandalwood or jasmine, they will easily drift into a meditative state. If they already have a diffuser, all the better, just get them a scented oil set.
No matter what their age, sitting on a hard floor for an extended period of time can be painful. Give them a meditation cushion to prevent aches and stiffness.
To further their discipline you can give them a book on meditation.
9. Naruto Action Figures
Martial Arts gifts for anime fans
Many anime series include martial arts. And why not? They are both big parts of Japanese culture. Kids who are into martial arts will like playing with these figures from the popular anime series. Even older martial artists, who enjoy anime, will like to display this memorabilia on a shelf.
10. Wall Art
Gift ideas for the martial arts lover
This is a great gift for the martial arts instructor in your life or any martial artist who devotes a lot of his time to the sport.
For a taekwondo gift, get a Japanese bedding set. This also is a great gift for a karate lover. Get him a motivational shower curtain as well.
11. iPhone Case
Gifts for martial arts lovers
What better way to display a love of the martial arts than with an iPhone case.
If he or she doesn’t have an iPhone, you can get a martial arts themed popsocket for better phone grip. Or upload a custom design to create a laptop skin for whichever martial art you prefer. Several sizes are available.
12. Kick Pads
Martial arts gifts for kids
If the martial artist you are buying for is a kid or teen, you should be safe buying some basic practice equipment.These kick pads are used for karate and taekwondo training.
I do not recommend buying equipment for adults. They either have it already or know what they need better than you do. However, kids are in the learning stages, so getting a gift to help them practice at home is useful. Talk to their instructor for recommendations. My son had the full set of sparring gear once he got to a certain belt and age. Another option is an inflatable punching bag. This is great as a mixed martial arts gift, or for taekwondo or karate.
13. Learn the Language
Martial arts gifts for the serious martial artists
Many serious martial artists become interested in the entire culture surrounding their art. If this is the case with the martial artist in your life, he may be interested in learning the language. Whether Japanese for karate and jiu jitsu gift ideas, Chinese for Kung Fu, or Korean for Taekwondo, Rosetta Stone has options for up to 24 languages. The unlimited pack offers a lifetime of learning for all 24 languages, but you can get a 3 month subscription for one language at a lower price.
For an additional immersive kung fu gift, get a kung fu tea set. A big part of Chinese culture is their tea. What better way to understand the culture behind the art than to participate in their tea culture.
14. Book a Vacation
Luxury gifts for the martial artist
For the serious martial artist who wants to immerse themselves into the culture, book an Asian excursion to the country of choice. Book a trip to Thailand for a muay thai gift, Japan for karate, and so on.
Of course they will need a flight to reach their destination. Spread the word. Maybe everyone can get flight gift cards as gifts for the martial artist to put towards the airfare. You can choose the denomination you want for the card. These cards are accepted by over 300 airlines worldwide. Then make sure to get packing cubes to organize the luggage for the trip.
15. Smart Watch Fitness Tracker
Gift ideas for the martial artist
With a smart watch fitness tracker, athletes can monitor their heart rate and keep track of calories.
Yoga is a great way to stretch sore muscles and steady the mind. Give access to a yoga video along with a yoga mat to help ease the pain from a gruelling competition.
16. Laser Etched Ornament
Gifts for the martial arts instructor
Looking for an affordable gift for your martial arts instructor? Your instructor probably has more martial arts themed mugs and keychains than he could possibly want or use in his lifetime. As a preschool teacher, I can tell you, these gifts are going to get stuck in a closet somewhere. However, for a memorable Christmas gift for your martial arts instructor get a personalized holiday ornament. Instead of getting his name etched on the ornament, have “from’ and then your name and the year etched on it for him to remember you.
For a fun gift, get martial arts cookie cutters. Then bake some healthy cookies as a thoughtful gift. This is also a great gift for your child who is a martial artist. For an MMA gift you could get a classic Boxing bell.
17. Fruit Infuser Water Bottle
Useful gift ideas for martial artists
Martial artists need to stay hydrated. A fruit infuser water bottle will accomplish this. Most come with an insulating sleeve and recipes, plus your option of colors.
Is your martial artist not into fruit infused water? Just get a regular insulated water bottle instead. For a novelty gift, get a water bottle that is also a bluetooth speaker.
18. Funny T-shirt
Kung-Fu gifts
There are plenty of t-shirts out there with funny sayings, and all martial artists need something to change into after their workout.
You can get a cute shirt for her for a kickboxing gift. For a mixed martial arts gift, get a specific MMA shirt.
19. Holiday Ornaments
Christmas gifts for martial artists
Get a holiday ornament customized with the martial artist’s name and year. This is a great way to start a holiday ornament collection for your child. Each year get a new ornament with whatever activity he is in. If he continues martial arts, he will end up with a martial arts themed tree. For a wrestling gift idea, get a personalized wrestling ornament. Get a ninja ornament for the black belt.
A good gift for a female martial artist who is a kid is a martial arts outfit for her 18” doll. This outfit fits most 18” dolls such as American Girl and Our Generation. It comes with the white martial arts outfit and five belts. For a martial arts gift for a teen, get a karate LED lamp engraved with his name.
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