Health and Fitness Gifts for the Holidays - Part 1
© Mindy Herzog
The season is coming where you want to find that special gift that means you care. There are many options out there but you don’t want to come off offensive. I once gave a male friend of mine a group exercise schedule for his wife. They were new in the area and I wanted to give her some options to get involved. He acted as if I just turned over a bomb. “If I take this home she’ll think I think she’s too fat and am giving her a hint,” he said. So carefully evaluate what message you will be sending because you want it to be a positive one and one they will get good use out of. Here some ideas and things to think about.
Big Exercise Equipment
We’re talking treadmills, stairclimbers, bicycles and more. While this is a hot item now it’s also a hot item seen in every yard sale during the summer. Decide first if this is really something you want, need and will use daily. Where will you keep it? You should also read one of my earlier articles on purchasing the right exercise equipment for home. This article will help you make the right decisions when purchasing home equipment to make sure you don’t take home a lemon.
Fit Balls
Also known as therapy balls, resist-a-balls and more. They are an inflatable ball in which several different exercises can be performed on it. This is a great gift which takes up minimal space and can be deflated if not in use. You want to check the height requirements on the “balls” and make sure you get the appropriate size. Also, do you have a pump? Nothing like getting an inflatable gift with no way to air it up.
Weights
There are many different sizes and styles of weights. I would recommend only getting two pairs to start. For women, three to 5 pounds is a good starting weight. If they have been lifting regularly, you may want to purchase a 10-pound set as well. If they haven’t been lifting at all and are very weak, you may want to start with 2 pounds and three. Men are generally already stronger than women to begin with so I would consider a 5 and 10-pound pair. Unless they are already lifting, if so, you may want to check out what they use now or ask. The soft or rubber coated will be much safer on you and your floors. Wrap around hand weights and ankle weights are also popular.
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