Fitness Gifts: Christmas Present Ideas

Yes, Christmas is coming again. Now's the time to decide whether you want to give somebody junk they'll never use, or a gift that promotes health and fitness (of course, they may never use that either... depends on the individual, I suppose!) Below, I've taken a look at a number of fitness-related gifts and gadgets that range from stocking stuffers to home gyms.

Yoga Starter Kit

Know someone who's expressed an interest in yoga but isn't quite sure yet? Yoga is both a means of fitness and relaxation. It doesn't cost much to get into. A yoga starter kit runs less than $30 and gives you all the essentials (mat, belt, block). If your would-be yoga friend is shy about going to a class, throw in one of these yoga videos so they can learn the basics at home.

Garmin Forerunner 201 GPS Personal Training Device

Great for bikers, runners, or hikers, or anyone who likes to play with new gadgets, the Garmin Forerunner 201 monitors performance and fitness levels (pulse, pace, etc.) as well as including a stopwatch and GPS device. It can also create a "virtual race partner" if you want to push yourself with a little competition.

Fitness Balls

Fitness balls, also called Swedish Balls, are great for balance work and ab workouts. Oh, and they can double as a toy for the kids or an extra seat when company is over. At around $25, fitness balls won't break your wallet either.

Body for Life by Bill Phillips

I actually own a copy of Body for Life . It's a great book that breaks down how to lose weight permanently (it's about changing your lifestyle rather than going on some fad diet) through weight training and healthy diet. Schedules and menus make it easy to just follow the steps. If you know someone who is struggling with Atkins or some other restrictive diet, this may be just the book for them.

Fitness Magazines

Fitness magazines are popular gifts for fitness lovers; almost anyone can appreciate a magazine subscription, so they make great stocking stuffers. Popular choices are Fitness, Shape, Yoga Journal, Oxygen, and Muscle & Fitness

Bowflex

And of course, this being a Bowflex site, I must mention the Bowflex hone gym. With the new Elite model available at Costco stores, the Bowflex is becoming easier (and cheaper) to buy. No need to pay extra for shipping if you buy it locally. Though there are a lot of home gyms out there that end up as fancy coat hangers, there are people regularly using and enjoying their Bowflex. Just check our Bowflex forum to read people's comments.

Back to Bowflex World