This Christmas, Give the Gift of Fitness

Finding the perfect holiday gift for that special someone presents a challenging task. Giving the gift of health and fitness is not only a gift they’ll love, but also a gift that keeps giving. Whether you’re buying for a spouse, parent or friend that’s either a fitness enthusiast or beginner, here are some ideas sure to bring motivation and movement into their lives.

A fun way to share a fitness gift with your loved one is to join a gym together. This gift will give you both unlimited resources to help attain your New Year’s fitness goals. By doing this together, it’ll be more fun and hold you both accountable. If you’re already gym members, try some personal or small group training. This is a great way to get a jump start on their fitness journey. It might be the gift they need, but wouldn’t buy for themselves. You don’t have to be a celebrity to hire a personal trainer anymore. People from all walks of life — young to old, beginners to athletes — benefit from the motivation and knowledge you receive from a training class.

High-tech fitness gadgets top many Christmas wish lists this year.

What does almost every fitness enthusiast love? Their music. There’s nothing better to help get through a tough workout than a great playlist. Some gift ideas include music cards or a fun pair of ear buds or headphones.

The sale of such wearable fitness gadgets as fitness bands is on the rise. This technology not only measures steps, but activity, heart rate, calories burned and sleep quality. While different models have different features, the one common trait among them is the ability to create awareness of your physical activity and inspire you to make healthy changes. These devices are available in a variety of types, sizes, colors and prices.

Heart rate monitors are another device that provides the wearer with important data that can be very beneficial in regular exercise.

Still other technology inspired gifts include a multitude of available phone apps. Did you know you can get an app with GPS and record your runs or bike rides? There’s an app for almost every type of activity you can imagine. While some apps are free, others are available for a minimal cost.

Another idea is a subscription to their favorite magazine that specializes in their sport or area of interest. Want to be an amazing gift giver? Give them a certificate for a massage after a hard workout.

On the eccentric side of gift giving, a little research will lead you to some unique healthy gift ideas. Did you know you can give a yearly subscription to have a healthy snack box delivered each month? How about a cap for runners with lights in the brim of the cap so they can see during a night run? Or a bike that folds up for city dwellers? The list goes on.

A fitness-inspired gift list would be incomplete if you were left unaware of the gifts NOT to buy. Readers of Fitness Magazine asked to choose the worst fitness gifts cited a diet book and a sauna suit. Remember those suits that made you sweat and looked like you were wrapped in foil? Of course, the No. 1 worst gift is a talking scale.

These are just a few ideas to help out with gift buying for the loved ones on your list. Christmas is followed by New Year’s that’s filled with resolutions on being healthy. Giving a gift that helps your loved one be healthier is a gift they will enjoy every day all year. Merry Christmas.
–Paula Reece | The Business times