Your Holiday Season Fitness Gift Guide
The goal of this guide is to give you gift ideas for fitness-minded people. These are great gift ideas for him or her! There is a range of costs (several of these can even be purchased at a dollar store, observer I cannot guarantee quality). I have included links to Amazon to make ordering simple for you, but feel free to purchase the equipment at a local store.
1. Sliders (Gliders, Sliding Discs)
Get ready to feel the burn! Small and easy to store or travel with, the sliders can provide a whole variety of even exercises that will work muscles you didn't know you had (perfect for those little stabilizers that we tend to ignore!). They add an entirely new dimension to your workout and can take body sculpting, balance, and cardio to a whole new level! Sliders work on most surfaces (carpet & hardwood) and don't require a lot of space to get a full-body workout.
Need inspiration? Check out the Simply Core Strong platform for safe, full-Body slider workouts!
2. MASSAGE BALL
Massage balls help reduce tension and soreness in your muscles by increasing blood circulation. They are great stocking stuffers, and the fun part of this gift is that there are so many colours to choose from!
For a local option, check out
comma life.
3. OneWheel
Have you tried a OneWheel? I can honestly say from personal experience, the FUN factor is off the charts! The miles you can travel daily (for free), the lack of maintenance and the minimal upkeep costs are great reasons to invest… plus they make great gifts and are perfect for all ages!
Check out
OneWheel
Website!
For a local option, check out MotoSurf Canada Ltd.
4. KETTLEBELL HANDLE
I love the innovation of these handles, and it saves you money! You can insert any size of free-weight, and it opens up a whole new plethora of exercise options and kettlebell-type exercises. They are great for people who have trouble with loaded movements on their wrists or need a smaller/ less abrasive grip handle than standard weights offer.
5. FOOT WAKERS
If you know anyone with foot pain, these little hollow plastic half-spheres covered with knobbles nubs can be magic! They stimulate the bottom of the foot and improve circulation, alignment, and balance. Learn more about how you can use them for foot flexibility or strength in this comprehensive but simple program by the
Yamuna.
For an alternative, try these Yamuna Foot Wakers that comes with an instructional DVD.
6. RESISTANCE BANDS
Resistance bands make a great gift as they require little storage, travel well, and add all kinds of variations to workout programs. Knowing what the receiver will do with the band is helpful when buying a band for someone else. There are typically three kinds of bands:
·
I.
TheraBand
- These are the easiest to store because they require the least amount of space. They do need some grip strength. They are often used for rehabilitative exercises and are beneficial for those who have arthritis, so a great gift for the older population.
Amazon TheraBand $21.59
·
II.
Bands with handles
- These bands sometimes come with an additional casing over the top to add extra resistance and make them last longer. These bands can typically be stretched to greater capacities, so they are perfect for people looking to increase their strength and get a challenging workout. Packages of multiple bands allow you to vary your resistance for increased workout options. The multiple bands are also great for sharing with other family members in the house.
Amazon Resistance Bands with Handles $19.99
(set of 5 bands)
·
III.
Looped bands
- These bands are great for adding variety to all your favourite moves (squats, bridges, core work, etc.). This six-band package provides a whole array of resistances, allowing you to change up your band based on the exercises you are performing, keeping you adequately challenged with some and not overdoing it with others.
Amazon Looped Bands $19.95 (set of 6 bands)
7. TRX SUSPENSION
TRX, which stands for Total (body) Resistance eXercise, is one of the best-known suspension systems that use your body weight and gravity as resistance to build strength. The benefit of the TRX is that people of all fitness levels and ages can use it! This system comes with an app and instructions that give endless exercises to try. It is easy to put up and take down quickly, so it does not take up space in your home, and you don't have to look at it when it is not in use. It packs away easily and is perfect for traveling. Although an expensive piece of equipment, it has been tested and proven over the years to deliver outstanding strength, balance, coordination, flexibility, core, and joint stability workout results.
8. BALANCE BOARD
Balance boards come in various shapes and sizes. Rocker boards rock side to side, and balance boards typically have a round piece underneath so the boards will rock in any direction. They are great for balance, proprioception work and help improve core strength. They are fantastic for people who like a challenge and are coming off an injury or want to ramp up their sport-specific fitness (snow sports, mountain biking, etc.).
9. 1-ON-1 TRAINING (Online or In-person)
One-on-one sessions are perfect for people who are unsure where to start, are afraid of getting injured, or have pain/injuries, and for people who are looking for proper accountability. These workouts allow the trainer to create custom programs that best suit the client's needs, encourage proper form, and set goals effectively.
Check out Simply Core Fit to learn more about one-on-one training.
10. SIMPLY CORE STRONG
We all know how vital core training is, but does it have to be so dull? No! That is why I created the Simply Core Strong Program. It is filmed in beautiful locations around the Okanagan, lakeside, mountain, and orchards. This program leads you safely from beginner core exercises through intermediate and onto advanced. It is an excellent complement to other programs or activities and a super fun online program you can do with a buddy even if they are at a different fitness level. It will make you feel strong and confident in everything else you do. An excellent gift for your partner who wants to build a strong core and proper mobility!
Click HERE to visit Simply Core Strong's Website!
11. MASSAGE STICK ROLLER
Not everyone wants to get down and roll around the floor on a foam roller, so these rollers are a great alternative. They help relieve sore and tight muscles and are easy to use and store. The roller in this video has a soft surface that can be more comfortable on exceptionally tight areas.
12. BOSU
BOSU stands for “Both Sides Up,” which refers to the two ways the
BOSU ball can be positioned. It’s like a stability ball cut in half and is designed to provide cardio, strength, flexibility, weights, core, balance training, and more! It adds a lot of fun and is a great stability challenge to a training plan. I would recommend it for people who are sure-footed and looking to vary their training.
