Holiday Fitness Gift Guide | Erin Stern

The holidays are a time for relaxation, good food, and spending time with friends and family. It’s also the time for gift giving. I think it can be tough to find the perfect gift for the fitness enthusiast in your life. Let’s take a look at some options!

For the outdoor athlete or gym-goer who tends to lose things – a water bottle with a storage compartment (under $15).

We all know someone who sets out on a hike or bike ride completely unprepared. They might stuff their keys and cash in their sock, or get thirsty miles from nowhere. This water bottle seals perfectly, and has a compartment for storing cash, credit cards, or a key. The spout can be opened with the push of a button, which makes it really easy to use. It’s also BPA-free and dishwasher safe. 

Purchase the water bottle here.
 

For the traveling athlete  – resistance bands (under $20).

Resistance bands are lightweight, take up very little space, and provide constant tension on the muscles. I like the combination of smaller bands for detailed training and higher tension bands for large muscle groups. Smaller bands can also be used for at-home glute workouts.

Bands have many uses at the gym, too. They can be attached to equipment in the gym to increase the difficulty of an exercise and to help with strengthening weak points in exercise range of motion. They can also be used for HIIT (high intensity interval training) training.   Simply attach the higher tension band to a heavy piece of equipment or railing, step into the band, and sprint in place against the resistance. Resistance bands are also great for your warm up to use during your mobility and stretching!

Purchase small resistance bands here.

Purchase larger, higher tension bands here
 

For the cardio enthusiast or someone wanting to burn fat  – a digital jump rope (under $25).

Jumping rope can be great cardio, but it’s often tough to find the space to do it. This jump rope has the option of using the adjustable cord, or attaching weighted balls to simulate the motion. The digital screen can be programmed to track calories burned. This is a perfect option for use in a busy gym, or for friends who don’t have a gym membership. I love the idea of giving gifts that can help people train anywhere, and this definitely fits the bill!

Purchase the digital jump rope here.
 

For the clean eater  – a NutriBullet (under $70).

Shakes and smoothies can be a quick way to sneak in vegetable servings, and can be a nutritious snack. But there are not many blenders strong enough to break down seeds and fibrous vegetables. Most people stop making shakes or juicing greens because the clean up takes too long. The NutriBullet has three different container sizes, and can easily break down foods to help make digestion easier. It comes with a recipe book for easy, nutritious ideas, and a couple of lids to take smoothies on the go.

Purchase the NutriBullet here
 

For the person who likes to track their progress  – a Fitbit (under $150).

This is an awesome fitness tracker for someone who has never used one, or for someone who wants a simple tracker. Fitbit tracks steps, workouts, heart rate, sleep patterns, and has a vast database of users. This can promote better workouts, greater accountability, and the ability to chart trends in lifestyle. The Fitbit syncs easily with a phone, so it displays calendar options, text messages, and incoming calls. 

It also tracks interval training and provides an option for guided breathing/meditation. 

Purchase the Fitbit here
 

For the person who wants to take their health and fitness to the next level – Fitness DNA test (under $80).

We've all seen the DNA tests that chart lineage, but this test offers additional insight. After sending in a cheek swab and waiting a few weeks, the results show ancestry, diet recommendations, and supplement recommendations. Information is so detailed that you can find out if you digest carbs or fats better, and if you're sensitive to dairy. It also covers alcohol metabolism and the potential for emotional eating. Diet becomes a sticking point in many programs, so this can help demystify details. Progress tends to be made much more quickly when inflammatory foods are removed! A customized meal plan takes the guesswork out of it.

Purchase the Fitness DNA test here.
 

For the person who doesn't have time to cook – Paleo meal service (under $200).

Does your friend or family member utter the words, "if only I had time to cook, I'd be fitter"? If so, a meal delivery service might make a great gift. Help your loved one eliminate excuses with a wide variety of protein-rich foods. There's even an option to double the protein. No cooking is required, simply heat and eat. This company offers simple meals that fit into just about any meal plan. Best of all, all meals are organic, grass-fed, and non-GMO. If you don't want to splurge, they offer gift cards starting at $25.

Purchase the Paleo meal delivery service here.
 

For the person looking to optimize their performance  – PEAK ATP (under $20).

I always include PEAK ATP with gifts to friends and family. Backed by science, it’s a supplement that helps people achieve their training goals. Learn more about the benefits here. It makes the perfect stocking stuffer!

Purchase PEAK ATP here.
 

Thank you for reading! Happy Holidays!

 

Erin Stern, 2x Ms. Figure Olympia

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