It’s no secret that I love the holidays. It’s also no secret that without fail, regardless of how much I think about the season and plan it out to Martha Stewart perfection in my head, it creeps up on me every year and leaves me scrambling at the last minute to find the perfect gift for everyone on my shopping list. But this year I’ve decided to put an end to that trend. Not only am I going to start my shopping before December actually arrives, but I’ve also decided that to make my shopping as stress-free as possible I’m going to stick to a gift-giving theme. The theme? Fitness accessories.
Truth be told, this is an easy theme for me to stick to because everyone on my list, from my mom, to my best friend, to my youngest nephew, ranges from “somewhat” to “exceedingly” athletic.
That said, you really can’t go wrong with giving the gift of fitness. Whether the recipient is a champion marathon runner, or a loved one who could use a little motivation getting motivated, gifting fitness gear shows you support their passion, their health, or both. So if you’ve got someone on your list who would appreciate a fitness accessory under the tree, here are some great options for you to consider.
Fitbit Fitness Tracker
I remember reading somewhere at some point in time (very specific, I know) that the vast majority of people underestimate how many calories they consume and grossly overestimate how many calories are burned on a daily basis. That’s where fitness trackers like the Fitbit Flex come in handy. Worn on the wrist, the Fitbit Flex is an activity monitor that tracks the wearer’s steps, distance, stairs climbed and calories burned. It also allows the wearer to track food and water intake and will let them know when they’ve reached their daily caloric objective. And when worn at night, it also tracks the wearer’s sleep cycle and quality of sleep. In a nutshell it’s like a personal trainer and health guru of sorts that is strapped to the wrist letting the wearer know exactly how active–or inactive–they’ve been on a given day. As someone who has worn a Fitbit, I can tell you that this kind of fitness tracker is equal parts motivation and video game, and does an amazing job of keeping you accountable for your actions.
Withings Wi-Fi Smart Scale & Body Analyzer
You might be thinking: “A scale as a gift? Are you mad?” and I get it. To be honest, I don’t believe that anyone should measure his or her health or self-worth by the readout on a scale. However, the Withings Wi-Fi Smart Scale & Body Analyzer isn’t your run of the mill scale. In fact, it can be argued that it isn’t a scale by the traditional sense at all. True, it will accurately measure your weight, but more than that, it measures body fat, body mass index (BMI) and heart rate, which are all more accurate indicators of health; indicators that can synch to your mobile device via the Health Mate app. Add to that the fact that the Withings Wi-Fi Smart Scale also tracks indoor air quality makes it pretty clear that this scale is less about weight and more about enhancing health and well being.
PurAthletics 2 Bottle Sports Hydration Pack
If you’ve got a runner or hiker on your list this year, you can’t go wrong with the PurAthletics 2 Bottle Sports Hydration Pack. True, it’s a modern twist on the “fanny pack” that was oh-so-cool in the mid-90’s, but with it not only can you tote your keys, cards and cell phone on an active adventure, but you can also carry with you two 5.7oz water bottles so you stay hydrated … all while keeping your hands free.
Gaiam Deep Plum Surf Yoga Mat Bag
I’ve only recently taken up yoga and one of my biggest pet peeves is toting my surprisingly heavy yoga mat to class. So I recently picked up this Gaiam Yoga Mat Bag, which has made my life so much easier; especially on the bus! If you’ve got a yogi on your list without a yoga mat bag, I highly recommend this one. Not only does it do what it is supposed to do, but it also has a handy exterior pocket for your wallet, phone, keys, or whatever other essentials you need to bring with you to the yoga studio.
Zepp 3D Golf Swing Analyzer
After seeing this Zepp 3D Golf Swing Analyzer on BestBuy.ca I immediately bought one for my dad for Christmas, and any golfer, no matter skill level, would absolutely love this under the tree. It’s a small sensor that the golfer on your list wears on their golf glove. That sensor captures your 3D golf swing data and analyzes it so you can improve your game. But more than that, the analysis compares your technique to the pros, measures your club speed so you can improve yardage gain, and tracks your hip rotation during backswing. As a non-golfer, after watching the video of what the Zepp 3D is all about, I kind of want to take up the sport!
Because most of my friends and family are fitness buffs to some degree, I know they’ll love one of these fitness accessories under the tree, and I’m sure the people on your list will too!
There are so many more fitness accessories available right now on BestBuy.ca, so if these ideas don’t quite make the cut, I’m sure you’ll find the perfect gift for that someone on your list.
