("Surprise Present Man" - *NOT ME*)
So this month I turn twenty.. something. *COUGH* Anyway... according to my own mother, I'm notoriously difficult to buy for.
I figured, this must be the case for lots friends and family of those interested in exercise when birthdays, Christmas and other days come around. SO.. here's my top 13 ideas for fitness related gifts, for those fitness people in your life.
NOTE: This IS a hint for presents for my birthday. ALSO NOTE: I have all of the below :-) Think again!
TRX - A great way to add variety to your workouts, train anywhere you want to and add a core strength and joint stability aspect to any exercise. Endless exercises and exercise variations if you're a little creative. A great way to take your training anywhere - inside or out, as anyone who has read my blog before will know from my "Working Out Abroad" section...
Gym Boss - Smart little interval timer which allows you to add intensity to a workout and get a short and effective session. Can also be attached to your shoe and vibrate so that you can still wear your headphones as you train - neat!
iPod Shuffle - On the music front, if you like your own music in the gym or need a really easy way to workout and not let your music get in the way, here's my suggestion. This thing is about the size of a USB stick and stores thousands of tracks so you won't get sick of your "Gym Playlist". Neat little clip allows you to attach to any item of clothing neatly out of the way - no need to wear one of those iPod arm straps either...
Resistance Bands - I've gone for BodyLastics as I like that you can attach all of the bands to one pair of handles. You can gradually add them and create a very significant level of resistance. BodyLastics also come with a convenient carry bag, exercise ideas and a lifetime warranty. They can be taken anywhere, used for home training and also added to existing gym workouts for variety...
Heart Rate Monitor - There's plenty of options out there and and they range hugely in terms of what they're capable of and also their cost. Most popular brands are Garmin and Polar. Depending on which model you choose, your watch can count the calories burnt during a workout, tell you the distance you travelled during a run, compare your performance and effort level between workouts and much more...
Gripads - These are a great little addition to your workout if your grip ever lets you down. Useful for any pulling and back exercises and handy to avoid calluses. The sticky front also makes them much better than many pads I've seen before (though it can tear slightly on rough/olympic bars). DON'T wear them for every exercise though, it's not necessary. Plus the stickiness will actually have a negative impact; there's something to be said for getting a real "feel" of the weights. Stick to just the "pulling" exercises...
Nike Free Run Trainers
Now I'm no runner. Nor do I claim to be an expert on footwear. In fact, I like to wear no shoes at all lots of the time in and out of the gym. But... what I do know is these are some of the most lightweight and comfortable kicks I've ever owned. Think they look decent too. That's all...
Kettlebells - Not the 4kg one though yeah? - To look at them, it's not immediately obvious how these would offer you one of the most effective methods to build dynamic strength, burn body fat, improve coordination and use full body exercises. But learn a little and they really can. There's nothing "new" about kettlebells, but they are becoming more and more mainstream. Avoid plastic/rubber ones - the metal ones won't hurt you (once you master the technique). Try to get the big ol' colourful "competition kettlebells" as shown below...
So there you have it, my top 13 fitness figt suggestions. Not based on advertsing or hearsay. These are all great products that I've purchased myself, found great use from, enjoyed and will continue to use myself and with clients.
