Fitness Gift Ideas

December 19, 2010

There is less than a week until Christmas, and I wanted to share some last-minute gift ideas for those in your life who might be embarking on a weight loss or fitness journey in 2011.

Disclaimer: I have not been asked to endorse any of these products. I’m just sharing because I think they’re fun. There are a few links here that are affiliate links, meaning that I will make a small amount of change (literally) if you buy something from it.

The Essentials:

Enell Bra (affiliate link): $66 Is it pretty? No. Does it hold you in for a nearly zero bounce workout? Yes! This bra is great for the bigger busted ladies out there (D+) who need the ultimate in support.

Workout Basics: Between $9.99 and $29.99 The worst feeling is not having anything to wear. This feeling extends to workout wear also. Target carries great basics from the C9 by Champion brand in misses and plus sizes. My favorite workout pants and hoodie are from this line. All the pieces are affordable (great for those of us shrinking and having to replace these staples often) and perform well.


Klean Kanteen (Amazon affiliate link): Price depends on size, color and lid choice. One of the most important aspects of a fitness journey is hydration. Help your fitness-seeker out by getting them a BPA-free water bottle such as the Klean Kanteen. I like these because they have wide mouths so you can put ice in them if you want. They also have a 40 ounce option, which is fantastic for those like me who drink at least 1 gallon of water a day.


Music
: Price- Depends on what you buy! Give the gift of some body pumping music by creating a mixed CD of your favorite workout tunes. Or give an Amazon MP3 or iTunes gift card so they can make their own playlists. If you’re short on money but really want to give something they might love, check out any of the mashup DJ’s websites for unique, free downloads. Spend the time instead of money and create a unique mashup CD.

For the Techies:

BodyMedia FIT: (Affiliate link) $199 for non-Bluetooth unit, $249 for Bluetooth unit. Both require monthly subscriptions ranging from $6.95-12.95 per month depending on term. If you have a techie-oriented fitness seeker, a BodyMedia FIT could satisfy their need for technology and workouts. The device tracks calories burned, steps walked and even hours slept. Used in addition to the online (or Droid or iPhone) application, you can track your food and sync your activity to see your daily calorie deficit.


Polar Heart Rate Monitor: (Amazon affiliate link) $45.80 (on 12.19.10) This is the heart rate monitor that I currently use- the Polar FS2c. Nothing super fancy about this model, but it is a great starter item for those who want to track their heart rate during their workouts, and it especially if the recipient is going to start high intensity interval training (HIIT).

Apple iPod touch: (Amazon affiliate link) $299 (for 32GB model) Give the gift no one would refuse- an iPod touch. If $299 is higher than you’re looking to spend, be sure to look into options such as buying refurbished or older generation (but still new) models. I have an older generation that I bought from a friend, and it’s great. I love being able to load my entire iTunes library on it without having to pick and choose which songs I think I’ll be in the mood to listen to. This is a great gift for those who really enjoy music, have lots of playlists or that are looking to create more playlists. It’s also great for being able to add apps to, such as the couch-t0-5K app (C25K) which will operate OVER your playlist.

Good ‘ol Splurges:

Lululemon Bon Voyage Duffle: $108 For those who need the latest and greatest with their workout gear and want to look stylish at all times, this is the ultimate in gym bag luxury.

Personalized Yoga Mat: $35 How cute is this? For the prepsters (said with love as I AM one) who want to have the cutest accessories, these monogrammed yoga mats are a great gift. For only $35, you get style and function!

Have any other gift ideas for fitness buffs? Feel free to share them in the comments!

  • Sabrina

    Not to offend, but I take serious issue that you’re not disclosing that most of these links are affiliate links. I know you have a sponsor page, but if you’re making money off of your readers purchasing items you recommend then you should disclose that these are affiliate links. Keep it FTC-friendly.

    • http://skinnyemmie.com Skinny Emmie

      Sabrina- You don’t offend. I have a disclaimer at the beginning of the post, but if you feel it is insufficient, I will go back in and edit all of the descriptions more clearly.

      • Sabrina

        My bad, the disclaimer didn’t show up in my google reader for some reason but I see it on the website clear as day. Carry on!

        • http://skinnyemmie.com Skinny Emmie

          No worries! I sent you an email also to follow up, but in addition went ahead and marked all the links, just in case!

          • http://gtffo.blogspot.com/ Jenny

            How nice of you!

  • Mary Ann Hawthorne

    I second the Enell! It’s the only sports bra I wear and it’s worth every single penny. Works better than any other I have tried.

    Another great suggestion, especially for runners, and walkers too is a Garmin Forerunner watch. I love mine. You can get GPS or non GPS models and track pace, distance, calories, etc., and it has a HR monitor too.

    • http://skinnyemmie.com Skinny Emmie

      is there a chest strap with the Garmin Forerunner for the HRM?

  • http://awonderingspirit.blogspot.com Holli

    In my opinion, your disclaimer at the beginning of this post clearly takes care of any FTC guidelines. That being said, I think this is great and I would love to receive all of these gifts! (except the iPod touch, which I already have in the form of an iPhone.)

  • http://www.bellainlapbandland.com Bella

    I absolutely love the Enell bra for high-impact (high bounce) activities. It definitely offers amazing support.

    Another great place for inexpensive workout gear for those who are on the larger side of “plus” is Woman Within.” I just stocked up on $5.99 tshirts and $19.99 pants that fit amazingly well and go up to 6x.

    I love the customizable yoga mats! I’m definitely putting that on my list for a future gift for my yoga-loving friends.

    • http://skinnyemmie.com Skinny Emmie

      I will have to check out the Woman Within stuff again. It’s been really hit or miss with me and them. The last tees I got there got “balls” on them like a sweater would. I’d have fuzzy armpits after each workout- really odd.
      What I would REALLY love is plus size performance tees. Think Under Armour fitted tees but plus size (meaning at least to a size 28). That would probably be the holy grail of workout finds for me.

  • Pingback: Tweets that mention Gifts for Fitness Lovers — Skinny Emmie Weight Loss Blog -- Topsy.com

  • http://gtffo.blogspot.com/ Jenny

    That is an awesome looking bag!!! 108 is crazy bananas tho.

    iPod Touch is a essential :)

    • http://skinnyemmie.com Skinny Emmie

      I know, $108 for a gym bag is pretty bananas. A splurge for sure.

  • Rebecca

    I SWEAR by my Enell sports bras. Right after I had child #2, nothing was working for “the girls” until I found the Enell. Now its the only thing I like to use when working out.

    I love all your suggestions, but that is the only one I use… my iPod shuffle works fine. I don’t know if the higher grade models have shuffle feature (but I assume they do), but I use the shuffle feature for random interval training on days where nothing seems to be working running wise and my legs are dragging. I LOVE not knowing what is coming next.

    Love the LuLuLemon bag, but I think my old duffle bag will suffice at that price! he he

  • http://livestartled.com kathleen @LiveStartled

    The Enell is the first bra that I can jump up and down in, jog in, hop in, and nothing moves. I felt so exhilarated the first time I wore it. I was concerned I wouldn’t be able to breathe, but that turned out okay. I am an Enell evangelist.

  • http://www.anonymousfatgirl.com AFG

    You just reminded me I need to get a new heart rate monitor. Mine went kaput last summer and I really liked seeing what I was burning. It’s a great help.

    Shameless plugging… Fitness Warrior Wear http://www.fitnesswarriorwear.com

  • http://musingsofmaia.blogspot.com Maia

    I might have to break down and splurge on a couple of those bras. Not until after the new year though when my bank account has recovered from the holidays…

  • Courtney

    Hi Emmie,
    1.) You are an amazing and incredibly motivated individual. You inspire me.

    2.) You mention the Under Armour fitted tees as being (almost) the holy grail of workout finds. I used to own a few, and loved how they wicked away sweat, were lightweight, etc., but was constantly tugging at them to pull them down. Not fun. What do you currently wear for workout tees? I am in need of something new. I currently have a drawer of oversized t-shirts that make me feel pretty fugly – not the best motivator.

    3.) Thanks for the Enell sports bra tip! I think I’m going to splurge and purchase one. The woman in the photos doesn’t look like she has uni-boob going on – the effect most sports bras have on me.

    • http://skinnyemmie.com Skinny Emmie

      Hi Courtney- thanks for your kind comments.
      RE: tees- I don’t have any tees I love working out in. I have some basic tees from Old Navy that I wear, or some from Target, but nothing I get excited to wear. And regarding the Enell bra- it probably WILL give you uni-boob, but at least that uni-boob won’t move anywhere! I will confess that I wore mine to work today (a first) under a high-necked dress with a cardigan over it because I just wanted something that was comfortable and kept “the girls” where they should be! None of my other bras are fitting properly these days- between sizes.

      • Courtney

        Thanks, I looked at Target t’s today. They did not excite me either.. Confession – I wear a sports bra on days I’m feeling loungy and to bed most of the time. Yay for comfy cleavage!

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