The holidays are just around the corner, and if you’re still stressing over what to get the fitness fanatics in your life, or know someone who’s on a new health kick, we’ve got you covered! From beginners to gym rats, these gifts are sure to please everyone on your list.
Gym in a Box. This is one of the best gifts you can give a beginner; it’s literally everything a fitness enthusiast needs in a box! One of the biggest excuses people give for skipping the gym is that they feel like people are judging them or that they simply don’t know what to do. This is the gift that will end those excuses. Trainerbrands Gym-in-a-Box ($89) comes with an exercise ball, mat, band, foam roller, a proper-form DVD, meal plan, and 60-day workout program, so you don’t need to spend hundreds on a gym membership or personal trainer.
What makes this gift so great for beginners is that each piece of equipment comes with the exercises and correct movements printed right on them. Instead of spending hours searching the internet for exercises and training routines, it’s all right there printed on the equipment. It’s easy to understand, and if you pop in the proper-form DVD you’ll be sure you’re doing it right!
Details:
- 12 Exercises printed on the Grey 65cm TRAINERball™ to strengthen and define your core (pump included). Exercise balls are one of the best pieces of equipment at the gym, but not everyone knows what to do with it! The TRAINERball takes care of that. And you’ll see it’s not just for the core – you’ll work every muscle of your body with this ball.
- 26 Exercises printed on the 3 foot TRAINERband™ latex resistance band. Designed to increase strength and flexibility for all levels, and a great place to start for beginners. Dumbbells, barbells, and weight machines can be a bit daunting at first! It’s also great for traveling; it’s light weight and rolls up easily to take with you anywhere.
- 12 Exercises printed on the 4″ diameter TRAINERroller™ to help balance and restore circulation, flexibility and range of motion. Everyone should own one of these. It works amazing on any exercise soreness or everyday aches and pains.
- 54 Exercises printed on the 2-sided TRAINERmat™ Ab and Weight Loss workouts that will ignite your metabolism and help you get leaner and stronger. This mat is awesome! With 54 exercises you’ll never get bored – or get stuck in a platue. Even fitness know-it-alls will be envious!
Most of these products can also be purchased separately. For more information on the products, and the Gym in a Box, head to Trainerbrands.com!
Striiv. Striiv is a high-tech, personal fitness device that’s similar to a pedometer, but so much more. It’s the kind of gift that’s not all fitness…it’s fun and games, too! Instead of just recording the number of steps and stairs you take each day, it motivates and rewards exercise and movement through games, challenges and donations — all powered by physical activity. This is a great motivational tool for anyone who’s trying to walk/run farther, or just move more – something most Americans need to do!
We don’t always have time to make it to the gym, and in fact, we don’t always have to…that is, if we’re moving enough (doctors recommend taking 10,000 steps per day). That’s where Striiv beats out the competition. It makes you want to move. It rewards you with medals when you hit a goal, advances you in games the more you move, and shows you how many calories your steps burn! Unlock daily challenges based on real-world distances, from climbing the Eiffel Tower to crossing the Golden Gate Bridge. Take enough steps and a donation will be made to preserve a patch of rain forest in Tanzania for a year, or provide clean drinking water to a child in a developing country!
Just snap Striiv on your belt buckle, attach it to your keychain, or throw it in your pocket. Initial start-up can be a little time-consuming, but you’ll want to take the time to understand all of it’s bells and whistles. The more you play with it, the more you’ll want to move. $99
For more information, visit Striiv.com.
Yoga Mat Sling. This oGorgeous Beverly Bowtie Mat Sling ($22) is perefect for the yoga enthusiasts in your life! Most yogis already have yoga mats, but chances are they don’t have one of these! Sure, it might not be an essential, but there’s nothing to like a cute accessory to make you want to head to a fitness class! It’s an inexpensive gift that’s sure to please both newbies and experts.
Heart Rate Monitor. Monitoring heart rate is essential when exercising, for beginners and athletes alike. This Polar FT7 Heart Rate Monitor (starting at $69), has features simple enough for a beginner but still provides the essentials. A heart-rate alarm, calorie tracker, and comfortable heart strap provides an immediate and more accurate read-out than the ones on cardio machines.
This is the perfect gift to give your new fitness pal who isn’t sure what heart rate zone they should be in, and can’t afford a personal trainer. You’ll put them on the right start to a lifetime of fitness and heart health!
The Fitbit Ultra is full of measures to track your fitness and get motivated similar to Striiv, only it’s smaller and not touch-screen. Instead, it wirelessly uploads data to your dashboard on Fitbit.com, where free online tools show how your activity adds up over time and keeps you motivated. From your dashboard you can access your Food Goal, where you’re shown a range of calories you can eat throughout the day to meet weight goals, adjusted for your Fitbit activity. It also provides a free iPhone app that users seem to like, and it’s free!
What really impressed us about the Fitbit Ultra, though we did not test this product, is its sleep tracking feature. Slip your Tracker into the Fitbit sleep wristband before bed, and it will record not only how long, but how well you sleep. The Tracker monitors how many times and how long you wake up during the night – now that’s pretty cool!
Fitbit users say they really like how small and discrete the device is, as well as it’s ease of use. However, one reviewer said it doesn’t hold up well against heavy perspiration, but you could always put it in a case or pouch!
For more information, or to buy this Fitbit Ultra ($99) for a fitness friend, check out fitbit.com!