At this point in time, we are all zooming around pulling our hair out over what kind of gifts to buy our close friends and family. Nobody ever really is completely sure if the person will like their present. Dads in general seem to be all round nightmares to buy for.
In my experience, at least the women in my life give me hints and rules. My mother banned us from buying her cheap perfume, whereas old girlfriends were, thankfully, blatant enough with their nudges for me to cop on to what they wanted. From my own experience, men on the other hand mostly keep to themselves about what they would like.
In my family, the men generally and truthfully want nothing, but how boring is that? Without a doubt the best part is the giving! Just to see the look on their face, and knowing that you nailed it with an excellent present, is worth all the headaches you went through to get it. Forget socks, ties, hand creams and scented soap!
As a man, who never takes the time to think about what kind of present he wants, let me assure you that there are hundreds of gifts I would love to get. All I needed to do was to spend ten minutes or so to focus, and remind myself what would be really great to have.
So that is what I did! I came up with five items that any fitness man or woman (and I!) would love to receive. Don’t throw in your shopping towel just yet. This list may just have the item you’ve been looking for.
5 Super Last-Minute Christmas Gifts!
1. The Garmin Forerunner 230 GPS
The Garmin Forerunner was my first GPS watch, and it was honestly the size of a small house on my wrist. The thing was huge! That was seven years ago, and it’s a sign of Garmin’s quality that it still works. I retired it a long time ago, however, solely on fashion grounds. I simply could not be seen with this prehistoric contraption protruding a full inch from my wrist.
Those days are now well gone with the Garmin Forerunner 230 GPS. This slick and stylish heart rate monitor and VO2 max estimator is simply gorgeous. It certainly isn’t a stocking filler. With a price tag of over €180, this would definitely be a wonderful main gift for your loved one.
2. Jabra Bluetooth Stereo Headphones
I love to run, but I definitely don’t like having to yank at my earphone wires under my shirt to prevent them from popping out of my ears. This is a constant nuisance on a long run, so when I came across these Bluetooth headphones, I was delighted.
Again, they are not cheap, but this company is building a great reputation for themselves on high quality products. The freedom Bluetooth brings is great. You can play and pause music and take calls without the hassle of wires. At over €100 per pair, it’s best to give these to someone who is truly special!
3. Fitness Nibbles
Sports people simply love food. Getting a great training session under our belt gives us an excuse to eat delicious tasting protein shakes, bars and gels. I have tried many, but have been particularly impressed with the following three for various reasons.
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My Protein Impact Whey
These bags of protein powder come in various sizes, are well priced and taste really great. My absolute favourite is the chocolate mint! Protein powders are highly concentrated and are very convenient for a fast after workout snack. You are really buying convenience, and using them allows you to begin the recovery process immediately, even before taking your shower. A great gift for fitness loved ones who train a lot.
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33 Shake Gels:
This company sells energy gels and pre-competition breakfast shakes with very high quality ingredients such as chia seeds and organic berries. A fantastic alternative to the sugary goo that often passes for energy gels. Many of the products are offered in bundles and are perfect for runners, marathoners and triathletes.
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Bounce Protein Balls
I don’t know what it is about these protein snacks, but I love them! The ingredients are good and they fill you up. They look quite small as they come out of the packet, but they pack a punch. I like to pop them in my bag when I’m travelling, as they make a great alternative to unhealthy on the road snacks. These little guys would be a wonderful stocking filler.
4. Aquasphere Cayenne Goggles
I stumbled across these very inexpensive goggles as I trained for the Austrian Ironman in 2010. Even though they cost under €20, they never ever let any water in. When you are fighting for your spot during a triathlon swim, the last thing you want is to also be battling wet, stinging eyes. They never let me down, which is why I talk so highly of them. If there is a swimmer in your family, then they will be over the moon with this gift.
5. 2 XU Compression Tights
Compressing your muscles after a tough fitness session has been shown to improve circulation, and therefore reduce muscle soreness and recovery time. For someone who is training for a particular event like a marathon, this piece of clothing can be a great help. I always find it helps to reduce my muscle soreness and gives a psychological boost, as it acts as a feel good cue that you’ve trained hard that day or week. A must-have for the serious athlete. At over €70, this athletic apparel is an investment, but a well-worth one.
So there you have it! Five Christmas Fitness gifts that most fitness enthusiasts and athletes would absolutely love. Some are big presents and some are stocking fillers, but all of them tell your loved one that you pay attention, you see and support what they are trying to do, and you’re willing to help them be better in whatever way you can.
I hope these ideas have reached you in time, and you get that warm glow of giving a gift that someone really genuinely loves. And if none of these suit, get the men or women in your life to take ten minutes out to have a think about what they would really like. That will make it a win win for both of you.
If you have any great fitness gift ideas, please let us know in the comments below!