Holiday Gift Giving Ideas

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

20 Dec 2005 07:14 AM

Looking for the perfect holiday gift-giving ideas for the fitness oriented around you? Are you looking for a way to give them a loving and supporting nudge? Maybe you want to work out yourself or already do and these can go on your wish list for your family and friends. Whatever your reasons for looking, the following items offer a mixture of practicality and thoughtfulness both in use and cost.

1. Heart Rate Monitor - Getting started on fitness? Most heart rate monitors sell for about $50, but you want to get your heart into the 70%-80% of your max heart rate to get the fat burning going on.

2. Body Bands - They are everywhere from the fitness aisle at Target to in the center aisle at Barnes and Noble. Resistance bands offer a chance to do targeted workouts in specific areas depending on how you use them. Want to maximize the band as a gift? Pick up a DVD or a Book for proper instruction or motivation.

3. Pedometer - Pedometers are great gifts for every age group from the young athlete to the senior. Look for one that can be clipped on comfortably and doesn't weigh a ton. A lot of pedometers come with bells and whistles telling you everything from time to calories burned to carbs. You can get the fancier ones if you like, but what you need are the steps. The average person walks about 5,000 steps a day.

4. Frame for a Bike - Convert your road bike into a stationary one. For cyclists, winter can be a trial of bad weather to get the days in on their bike. Rather than investing in a two or three hundred dollar stationary bike to sit somewhere dusty half the year, a $50 frame can prop a street bike up and let the bicycler get in some riding even on the worst of days.

5. Books, Tapes, Videos, DVDS, Software and Console Games - You name it; it's out there. Fitness is available on just about every type of media platform on the market. It's an ideal gift to get someone up and started or even just to experiment with. Price ranges go anywhere from $3 to $50.

6. Equipment - With everything from jump ropes to exercise balls to free weights, if you know where someone's interests are and the right size to get them, these are good gifts that fall under $20 each.

A lot of people don't want to think about fitness during the holidays or at least they want to put it off. Some talk about what they are going to do afterwards. Either way, fitness gifts are not only fun, but also practical. It's a gift they can use year round and who knows? You may give them one thing that really gets them engaged in the fitness game or finally get your hands on something you've always wanted to try out!

Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger