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No-Pressure Fitness Gifts
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As the holidays approach and ideas for New Year’s resolutions begin to take hold, many people will resolve to get serious about fitness in the upcoming year. Others, though, may take a more laid-back approach and just look to have fun with their workouts by finding new and creative ways to stay active.
Like any industry, trends in fitness continually change. In 2010, the half marathon was booming in popularity. Trendy fitness classes or workouts like Pilates, Zumba and CrossFit emerge all the time.
The latest boom has been themed running races – Color Runs, where white-clad runners get caked with colored powered throughout the 5K course; nighttime Glo Runs where participants wear lights and glow-in-dark materials; and obstacle-course events like Tough Mudders and Warrior Dashes.
According to the 2014 State of the Sport report by Running USA, the number of finishers in these nontraditional events has grown from the low six figures in 2009 to 4 million in 2013.
Social fitness is on the rise. So this holiday season, think about getting the social athletes in your life something they want, rather than something they need. Instead of a gift that says, “This will help you get in shape,” consider one that instead says, “Go out and have fun with this!”
Carolyn Gardner, an avid runner and founding member of the Chicago-based run club Crew Runs the World, believes that people who like their workout gear are more easily motivated.
“If you feel good in what you’re doing, you’re more likely to continue doing it,” says Gardner. “Especially with females, if they have the ability to wear a cute outfit to work out in, they’re going to pick the cute outfit to work out in.”
So, what are a few no-pressure fitness gifts for the social runner or gym-goer in your life? This year, look for colorful prints and versatile accessories to be highly popular.
Shoes
Gardner sees a lot of casual runners wearing the Nike Free, either out running or at the gym. Runners logging high mileage should certainly be fitted by a professional for the correct type of shoes, but Gardner recommends the Nike Free for a casual runner doing low mileage because it “feels comfortable and is affordable.”
Matthew Champa, team member at a Nike retail location in Chicago and pace leader in the Nike Run club, also anticipates that Nike’s Flyknit technology will gain popularity this holiday season. Put the two together in the Nike Free flyknit 4.0 ($120) for a can’t-miss gift choice.
Accessories
Along those lines, DeBoom also recommends arm warmers as a staple for outdoor workouts in temperamental climates. Skirt Sports offers this affordable ($30) accessory in many fun colors and prints that are easy to slip on or take off as needed.
Gifts with multiple uses can be particularly handy for a no-pressure athlete. The Mix It Up Scarf ($48) from Moving Comfort can be worn to and from the gym or even on an outdoor run or bike ride. And if it’s not a gym day, fitness scarves like this can double as traditional scarves, too.
Apparel
As far as apparel, Champa recommends something like the Nike Dri-Fit Sprint Full Zip ($135) as a versatile gift option for both men and women.
“Jackets and hoodies are available in a variety of styles for men and women,” he says. “They make excellent gifts. Features such as innovative fabrics, hoods, pockets and reflective elements make them ideal for active, outdoor pursuits.” For the fun-loving female athlete in your life, consider a colorful pair of capris. Lululemon offers a wide array of crops for yoga, running and general fitness (from $72). The company’s bold color choices make a statement while keeping things light-hearted.
“It goes back to making you feel fun and sassy and excited about working out,” says Gardner. “Printed capris are so popular right now, and I also feel like the capri length is good for working out versus the full legging.”
Speaking of fun apparel for women, Nicole DeBoom, founder of Skirt Sports and creator of the first-ever fitness skirt, has a great suggestion. The Cougar Skirt ($62) from Skirt Sports is functional — it has built-in shorts and three pockets for storing music players or keys — but it’s also fun.
“This one is definitely for that fun crowd,” says DeBoom. “It’s pleated all along the bottom and it’s got this cute little band that gives you a little bit of a contrast look where we put a print or a solid fabric.”
Skirt Sports aims to create apparel and accessories that make women feel pretty and allow their personalities to shine through as they work out.
Technology
When it comes to tracking a no-pressure workout, DeBoom suggests a fitbit as opposed to a more sophisticated GPS watch or heart rate monitor. The fitbit Zip ($60) is an easy-to-use device that allows users to track steps, distance and calories easily and without all the technical bells and whistles.
“I started using a fitbit about six months ago,” says DeBoom. “I love it for the simplicity of it. It’s literally just tracking my steps. It really helps you keep moving.”
And of course many runners and gym goers need their trusty music, and a pair of reliable headphones to go with, at all times.
Yurbuds makes earphones (from $30), armbands and music player cases all available in a variety of styles and colors. Any Yurbuds product would be an excellent stocking stuffer for the music-loving athlete in your life.
So keep it light and keep it fun this holiday season. There is no reason a fitness gift can’t be both functional and stylish at the same time.