It's never a bad time of year to have a short list of go-to gift ideas that are great for people into fitness or healthy living. I love all of these products and recommend them purely because I've owned, used and love them! This list of 14 gifts ranges stocking stuffers all the way up to $250.
So if you have a friend, boyfriend, girlfriend, spouse, relative or even mail carrier who is totally down with taking care of their bodies, then look no further. At the very least, you'll get some great inspiration.
My List of Gifts for People Into Fitness & Healthy Living
How about we start with the stocking stuffers? I actually love all three of these and have them in regular rotation when I go shopping.
Stocking Stuffers Under $10
Dr. Teal's Epsom Salt -- Buy Here
When your muscles ache. When you have a cold. When you just want to take a soothing, relaxing bath. All three are great reasons to pick up a bag of Dr. Teal's Epsom Salt.
Epsom salt is really just small crystals of magnesium, which is why a cup or two in a hot bath works wonders for achy muscles. Remember, our skin is an organ that absorbs what you expose it to...just like a sponge. A small amount of magnesium gets soaked up into your body and helps to relax muscles.
Epsom salt is literally nothing like the salt you put on your food. It's entirely different and has a number of other beneficial properties.
Research suggests that Epsom salt can help to alleviate stress and anxiety, as well as reduce inflammation - something we could all benefit from!
Badger Muscle Rub -- Buy Here
There's a little something called Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (or DOMS) that happens about 24 hours after you workout for the first time in a while, or do an entirely different activity from what you normally do. For example, if you usually take a spinning or yoga class then jump into a Crossfit or weight lifting class, you'll be sore. Or if you head into the gym for the first time in a month, or longer, you'll probably be sore. I am 99.9999% sure you're legs, arms, back and abs will feel like you've never workout before.
It's totally normal! So don't worry about it.
What you should do is:
- drink lots of water
- stretch
- take an Epsom salt bath
- and rub some Badger Muscle Rub into your aching legs
I like Badger Muscle Rub because the ingredients are good (no petroleum). Badger contains cayenne and ginger - both are anti-inflammatory and help to dull the muscle soreness you may be feeling while quelling the swelling of your muscles - albeit for a few hours. Using this muscle rub can help make climbing the stairs a little easier...or any activity that requires moving you body!
By the way, I buy this for my grandmother who is in her 90s. She has rheumatoid arthritis and rubs it into her joints. It's also helpful for different forms of arthritis.
Mongo Kiss Chapstick -- Buy Here
Chapped lips got you down? Getting chapped lips after working out is not uncommon. All the sweat, and dry air (if you're running outside) can really put some wear and tear on your lips.
I've been using Mongo Kiss for a few years and really think it's the best I've used. You can also buy multi-packs for just a few dollars more than the single chapstick, so it's reasonable.
The ingredients are good, and it's great for lip protection. And hey, it doesn't contain petroleum like most chapsticks do!
Practical & Perfect Gifts Under $20
HEAD Running Gloves -- Buy Here
Even if you don't run outside, a pair of Head running gloves are great for heading into the gym, to the store or picking the kids up from school. They're light and have touch sensitivity for smart phones.
If you do like to run outside, these gloves are not tight around the wrist (something I prefer), so they're easy to put on and off.
This is a really casual, but nice glove. And the price point is great. It's a great little gift for anyone - whether they're active or not. You can definitely file this under practical.
Balega Socks -- Buy Here
Literally nothing is worse than getting into a grove with working out only to stop because of blisters. Even if you're not prone to blisters, these Balega socks are so comfortable and perfectly compressing, your feet will feel great during and after your workout.
These socks are good for runners, but even on the days when I'm not running, I wear them in for any garden-variety workout...and my feet very much appreciate it.
They're also a really nice-looking sock...for men and for women.
Sip by S'well Water Bottle -- Buy Here
Not too big. Not too small. Just right. We have a couple of these water bottles floating around our house, one of which I always bring with me to the gym.
This water bottle keeps water coooold for a long time, which is really nice, especially on a hot day, or in a hot yoga studio. They're also BPA free and last quite a long time. I've noticed some water bottles break or leak easier. My S'well bottles have really hung in there,
They also have a bunch of cute designs on them, making them great for the gym, but also the office, toting around in your car or taking to school.
And of course, no plastic! You've gotta love that.
Fantastic Finds Under $50
Kitchen Aid Immersion Blender -- Buy Here
The love I have for my immersion blender runs deep. And the convenience of using this over a blender (for a lot of things) is even better. Talk about a quick clean up!
I'm pretty stingy about buying things for my kitchen...mostly because I don't want more stuff. If you're anything like me and don't have an immersion blender yet, think of this as an essential tool that will simplify your life a little bit, especially if you like to make:
- Homemade dressings
- Smoothies
- BBQ Sauce
- Gravy
- Soups
Kitchen Aid is a great brand that lasts. The version I'm recommending has a whisk attachment and a chopping component, so if you're working on a small recipe, this blender is a home run.
Adidas VFA Backpack -- Buy Here
I don't know about you, but I'm a big fan of avoiding neck and back pain. Therefore, I'm also a big fan of the backpack...big fan!
I have a fancy backpack for work that I can tote around my laptop and work-related belongings. But I also have an awesome backpack that fits my shoes, clothes, water bottle, extra clothes...and everything I need to keep flow going. This backpack also moonlights as the occasional weekend getaway bag. Less is more. right?
But seriously, gym bags can run a pretty penny. While I don't consider this particular a splurge, I definitely think of it as a wise buy that will tolerated my gym shoes and sweaty clothes.
Medicine Ball -- Buy Here
I really have no idea how this weighted ball got its name, but it has been a tool I use with every single client. I have a couple in my house (10 and 14 pounds), that finish off my home-based workouts perfectly.
If you've never used a medicine ball before, it's essentially a heavy, solid ball that doesn't bounce. I'm so grateful for them because they really do make workouts fun. Stick with me, kid, and I'll teach you a million and 1 things you can do with a medicine ball.
More often than not, I lean toward core exercises, should stability work, back strengthening and hamstring work. How can a round, hard ball that doesn't bounce do this? Join the Belly Burn Challenge and I will show you, or read this article I wrote about exercises you can do with a medicine ball.
The Ideal Fitness Gifts Under $75
TRX -- Buy Here
We picked up a TRX several years ago and have it in our home. I also use it as one of my main tools when I'm working out. The TRX is a suspension training system that is very low cost, it doesn't get in the way of anything and it works for people of all fitness levels. You can tie it to a strong object (I've often taken my TRX outside and suspended against a tree brach), or you can buy this inexpensive anchor to mount the system.
Truth be told, there is nothing super fancy about a TRX, but there irreplaceable. You can't just substitute a piece of rope to get the same results.
I use my TRX for:
- Ab exercises (especially mountain climbers, planks, abdominal pikes, etc.)
- Back rows
- Bicep Curls
- Chest Presses
- Hamstring Lifts
- ...and my favorite, Single Leg Lunges
Here is a video that explains a little more. Seriously, I love this thing.
Trigger Point Grid Foam Roller - Buy Here
Muscles need love after a workout, and myofascial tissue needs even more...before and after a workout. What's the connection to this particular foam roller?
Think of myofascial tissue as plastic wrap that covers your entire body. It lays in between your skin and muscle. Often time, myofascial tissue gets too tight, which leads to injuries...whether you workout or not. Releasing myofasical tissue isn't quite the same as stretching. You need a something like a foam roller to help you.
I like this foam roller because it has grooves in it that act like small points that help to release trouble parts of you body through trigger point release. So when you can't make it in for a massage, a Trigger Point Grid foam roller is a perfect go to.
This is a small version, which makes it very convenient for storing anywhere.
Affirmats Yoga Mat -- Buy Here
"I Am Wonderfully Made"...That's what my Affirmat tells me every time I get lay on it. Affirmats are a really great yoga mat that's made with juut. It's natural and doesn't contain any funky materials like a lot of other yoga mats.
I just really love this company. They're small and the products they make are positive.
Even if you don't practice yoga, but want a nice mat for stretching or doing some exercises...this is it!
Got Goals? Get This Gift for Under $100
The Belly Burn Challenge -- Buy Here
Whether it's for you or someone you know, getting fit or healthier in the New Year is a resolution that far too many of us have tried, and if I'm being honest, failed at sticking to for the better part of the year.
Full disclosure: The Belly Burn Challenge is my program. I developed it earlier this year and will launch it on January 6, 2020 (the first Monday of the month), for anyone who is both motivated and serious about losing unhealthy body fat and getting healthy.
This really isn't a program for someone who wants to shed five vanity pounds. Nope. This is for real life long-lasting change...no dieting, calorie counting or jumping on a scale every ten seconds allowed.
The Challenge will consist of:
- 4 Weekly Meal Plans
- Regular Body-Weight Workouts
- Inflammation-Fighting Recipes
- Anti-Inflammatory Cleanses
- Genius Education...provided by yours truly
The price right now is $99, and will go up soon. So if you're interested, or want order this for a friend or loved one, do so now!
A Well-Worth-It Gift for $250
Garmin vivoactive -- Buy Here
Last but not least - this is my fitness tracker, wear-often watch, device that remind me to move, heart rate monitor, VO2 max reader...and all the rest.
I really love my Garmin. This isn't the top of the line model, but it's really nice looking and tells me everything I need to know about my own personal fitness.
It syncs with my phone, so I can see everything I do in the palm of my hand.
Note: This post contains some affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may make a small commission to help keep this blog running!
