Give Fitness: Holiday 2016 Gift Guide

Christmas time is here, and along with the seasonal cheer comes the stress of choosing the perfect gift for each of your loved ones. This year, consider buying a gift that will help jumpstart or further a fitness journey. After all, Christmas means that the time for New Year’s resolutions is just around the corner. We have created a gift guide with our favorite fitness suggestions for every person on your list, along with links to make shopping easy.

The classic option of a gym membership is great for the fitness-novice in your life. Many clubs offer short-term options with gift giving in mind. For someone who is already a member of a club, but is not making the most of it, consider personal training. Even just a few sessions of training can dramatically boost new gym user’s confidence on the fitness floor. The hardest part of a fitness journey is getting started, and working with a trainer can provide helpful accountability.

One of our very favorite ways to inspire a loved on to get in shape is to register them for a fun race or event in your area. A tangible goal can do a lot to motivate someone to stay consistent with workouts. Even better, register yourself as well, and do it together. We highly recommend a Warrior Dash.

There are many gifts that the fitness expert in your life would love to receive as well. Nice running socks, headbands, tech gloves, and headphones are perfect stocking stuffers—you can never have too many of these essentials. A fun water bottle, like a S’well or Hydro Flask, is a gift that any health enthusiast can appreciate. For someone who spends early mornings at the gym, we love a well-designed toiletries kit to keep shower supplies organized.

Wearable tech has been at the top of every fitness-lover’s wish list for a few years, but the options are only getting smarter and more diverse. This year, the most highly recommended all-around fitness trackers are the Fitbit Charge 2 and the Garmin Vivosmart HR+, particularly for a person who wants to track a lot of different health factors. However, if you are shopping for someone who wants a tracker that looks more stylish, consider the Fitbit Alta. It has all the essential features, paired with a slim design that does not scream “fitness” in the way that many other trackers do.

The word “subscription” usually brings magazines to minds—and there are a lot of good options for gifting, like Runner’s World, Shape, Yoga Journal, and Men’s Health. But the word has taken on a whole new meaning with the appearancen of monthly subscription boxes dedicated to fitness, like Barbella Box and Fabletics. The appeal of the subscription box is that you do not have to think about the gift, because the service will put it together for you, and companies will often create one-time holiday boxes with Christmas gifts in mind.

These are just a few of our favorite fit gifts, but there are endless ways to show loved ones that you care about their health and wellness. We hope that you have found something on our list that will make holiday shopping a little bit easier this year. Let us know if you have a favorite way to give fitness.