by You’ve been forewarned; there’s lots of sarcasm coming your way in this one!
I recently had a conversation with the big man himself (Santa, of course. Who else?) and I asked him what he thought of the Peloton commercial. He thought the fictitious husband did a great job of giving his fictitious wife something she really wanted & was excited about! (And because CLEARLY the only real reason to get fit is weight loss. *insert sugarplum filled eye roll* Santa!? You’re telling me that some people, a lot of people, especially with the super awesome uprise of the fitness craze, would LOVE a health & fitness related gift and would actually use it?!? Wow, crazy to think we know people well enough to get them something they would LIKE?! Who knew?
Now that we’ve got that out of the way…
In case you’re riding the same sleigh as Santa and me, he has helped me come up with some last minute Fitmas gifts for you to give an enthusiast in your life! Guess what? Some people like and welcome the support in their journeys and every little bit can help! If you’ve got the means and the desire to give someone a gift as grand as a Peloton, knock your little elf socks off. However, here are some more affordable options. And remember, if you think someone would be offended, maybe you’re not the right person to give them that gift, eh? Anywho, there are definitely some non offensive gifts in his lineup so HO HO HO, here we go!
Gifts For:
Someone Interested In Exploring Nutrition
Food Scale
This is arguably (it’s me; I’m arguing) one of the best tools someone can have to help understand what they’re consuming and prep their meals. The best part is…they very affordable! A quick hop on Amazon and you’ll probably find hundreds of scales for sale, ranging from $7 to $25 plus, with thousands of reviews. Unless you need something heavy duty for some serious Santa-Cooking-Baking-Shenanigans, you’ll probably be set with a scale under $10! Make sure to get one that will measure everything you need (oz, lb, g, fl oz, etc.)
Price: $7.55 – $40
Protein Sample Pack
This is one that you can organize yourself. When someone wants to start adding protein powders to their diet, it can be difficult to sort through ones that taste any good. Head over to your local gas stations and grab a few sample packs. Hit the internet and order some as well (if there’s time!). I have found a few of the yummiest proteins this way. 1 Up Nutrition has some good packs as well as Ideal Fit (I wouldn’t order anything other than protein from IF, though.) Once you have your powders, through in some bars as well! Stuff everything in a drawstring bag, stocking, or nifty Christmas box and voilà! A creative and tasty gift.
Price: Varies
Cook Books (Registered Dietitian Approved!)
1. Run Fast. Cook Fast. Eat Slow.: Quick-Fix Recipes for Hangry Athletes: A Cookbook
This bestseller has appetite quenching, healthy recipes for all occasions.
Available on Amazon Prime!
Price: $5.99 on Kindle / $15.67 Hardcover
2. Love Real Food: More Than 100 Feel-Good Vegetarian Favorites to Delight the Senses and Nourish the Body: A Cookbook
Also Available on Amazon Prime!
Price: $12.99 on Kindle / $19.87 Hardcover
3. The High-Protein Vegan Cookbook: 125+ Hearty Plant-Based Recipes
On Amazon Prime, Too!
Price: $11.90 on Kindle / $23.13 Hardcover
Someone Who Is Into Fitness Tools
Under $30
Foam Roller
Rollers come in a variety of styles and purposes. Smooth rollers work great for more surface level fascia while ridged ones can really get in there. Size also matters. The long rollers often found at gyms can be used differently than the short ones, i.e. stretching and such, so figure out exactly what you might need and go from there!
Amazon Options Available – This one in a variety of colors W/O branding is currently available at my local Marshalls (TJ Maxx). I actually bought this one at Marshalls this summer for half the retail price.
Price: $30 on Amazon (other options for less), $15 at Marshalls
Myo-Release Ball
Behold! (Loving the holiday puns yet?) My other favorite go-to muscle massager. Myo balls are great for trigger point style massage, while rollers excel at covering a wider surface area. Ridged rollers can help with this, but a myo ball is where it’s at for your specific release needs. Areas these helps to get that rollers struggle with: feet, traps, calves, vastus medialis, hammies.
You can snag em on Amazon or at Marshalls. No need to get a crazy expensive one if you can get 1-2 for less than $10!
Price: Varies
Pull Up Bar
Not always the easiest to assemble, but definitely a great fitness tool! If you want to spend a little more money, you can choose a bar that also doubles as a floor core tool. (Combine it with the item below and you’ll be well on your way.) Pro-tip: Make sure you don’t put these in a narrow hallway where the sides will hit the walls. Even in my own house, there’s only two doors I can actually put this one. The side handles will generally go past the frame of your door.
Amazon Option with Multi-Grip
Price: $23
Nonslip Yoga Socks
I was gifted a pair of yoga socks last year and I dig em! They help keep you from slipping all over your mat (and they also help a client of mine from sliding around when we do TRX training on her smooth floors!)
Check Five Below for a steal or look at the options on Amazon. They’ve got everything from toe socks to toe-less socks!
Price: Varies / the ones linked above are $14 for two
Running Belt
I picked up casual running this summer and needed somewhere to stash my phone and key. I went to Marshalls and snagged a super lightweight and slim one for $5. They generally carry a variety of styles. I find myself using this to walk my dog when I don’t have pockets or when I take him running with me! And no, I’m not a fan of fanny packs, but these are super helpful and not as obnoxious. Now I know what people were raving about 5 years ago.
Price: $5 at Marshalls / $13 and up on Amazon
Exercise Bands
1. Mini Bands
Can be used in many ways. WILL slide with certain movements/placements, but don’t discount them. They’re useful!
Price: $10
2. “Booty” Bands
These are the “thicc” bands you see all the fitspos wearing for hip thrusts. They are no joke, though. You will feel the burn and are worth the money if you want help in activating your glutes. They usually have a rubber lining of sorts so they wont slide, though they probably wouldn’t without it.
Price: Varies ($10-$27 depending on store and # in pack)
3. Handle Bands
Great for home workouts and increasing you resistance little by little. You can stack the bands to increase the level of difficulty for any given movement.
Price: Roughly $23
4. Heavy Duty Resistance Bands
Also called Pull Up Assist Bands or Super Loops, these bad boys are not only fantastic for helping you achieve your first pull up, but they can be used in loads of different ways for all muscle groups.
Price: $30 for a 5 pack / $27 for a 4 pack on Amazon
Jam Transit Minibuds
These are my tried-and-true workout headphones. I received a pair for Christmas in 2015 and just replaced them with another pair this past May. I only had to replace them because I had previously stepped on them and my dog ate them, BUT they still lasted for quite a while. TBH, I still have them as backup since one ear still works. I paid $17 for my replacement ones on eBay this summer, but they have some available under $10 now from other sellers! 1000% recommend these. Sweat proof, good sound, easy to pair, foot proof, and dog proof…I mean…..what more could you ask for?? (My eBay order was extremely fast, just like Prime. You can still get these before Christmas.)
Price: $10
Cable Ankle Straps
A lot of gyms don’t have this type of attachment available for their cable setup. I purchased a pair on amazon in 2017 for less than $10 and they work just fine! (They are no longer available, otherwise I would have shared them!) These are great for all kinds of leg work on the cable hookup.
This is a bestseller on Amazon.
Price: $16 for a pair
Sliders
I recommend these babies to just about everyone. They are just glorified furniture movers and you can use those is you want. Abs, legs, moving the couch, these things are good for it all, and they’re basically always available at Marshalls for about $5-$7.
Amazon Option
Price: $5 – $11
Over $30 (But Still Fairly Affordable!)
TRX Home Trainer
I have one of these and it’s the best apparatus you could own. There! I said it! I have been using TRX since I was 15, and I will always, always recommend it. (And my clients love it, so it’s not just a crazy trainer talk here!) Obviously, it you get more attachments, you’ll drive the price up. Start with this one; it’s all you need if you’ve got a sturdy door! If you’ve got a spare $100 lying around and don’t know what ONE piece of exercise equipment to get, get this.
Price: Varies / $100 for this set
Exercise Trackers
Okay! If you’ve got an Apple Watch or the like, you can do some pretty awesome things like sharing your goals and achievements with friends and logging all kinds of movement. If you don’t want or need an Apple Watch/have a tighter budget, there are other options for you! Check Groupon and Amazon for fitness trackers on a budget.
Price: Super Budget Friendly $30 / Fitbit $130
Snap Clips
A friend gifted these to me this Christmas (YES, I DID OPEN MY GIFT EARLY I HAVE NO SELF CONTROL) and I’ve already put them to the test. Besides reminding me of my 1st grade glory days, these things are wildly entertaining and definitely easier than those stupid metal collar janks you have to have crazy rock climber hands to open. I know you know what I’m talking about. If you have a friend who wants to lift and loathes squeeze barbell collars, get these for sure.
Price: $30 on Amazon / you can buy bundles on their site (linked in title)
Weighted Vest
Science has shown that weighted vests are a great way to increase the intensity of your workouts as well as help you achieve performance goals. You also tend to look really BA wearing one, so…added bonus?
Price: $35-$100
Heavy Jump rope
If your special someone likes battle ropes and circuit training, this piece of equipment can take their circuits to the next level.
Price: Varies / $40 for the one linked above
Kettlebell
At stores like Marshalls, KBs tends to cost $1/lb, but you’ll probably not find them heavier than 15lbs. A kettlebell is a great minimal piece of equipment that can be used for an entire full body workout. I say pick your poison. My personal opinion is that weights are way overpriced, especially dumbbells (which are always sold individually…I mean..why??) So if you’ve got a budget but want a lot of weight, your money might go farther in kettlebells.
Price: Varies – but plan to spend at least $40 on a 35lb KB
Someone Who Is Looking For New Adventures
Yoga Class Pass
Most studios tend to have either intro month trial packages or things like a 10 class pass.
Price: Varies
Trampoline Park
I’ve got a few of these in my area and they are 1000% worth every penny if you like flipping, dunking, ninja-ing…
Pro tip (#5000): If you’ve got the availability to go during school hours, you’ll save yourself the headache of tiny people running everywhere.
Price: Varies
Gym Membership
LOL, Peloton triggered people are shuttering. YES. Getting someone a gym membership can be an amazing gift. Gym fees can add up, and for a lot of people that can be stressful. This could be a gift that changes someone’s life, perspective, and goals.
*If you haven’t checked out my blog on Blink Fitness in Virginia Beach, I suggest you hop over there and see if a Blink membership might make a good gift!*
Price: Varies
Sponsor a Run
5Ks, mud runs, half marathons, etc. all have fees. If you’ve got a loved one who is dying to hit the trails but needs a little assistance getting the funds, this could be a great gift idea.
Local Rec Center Deals
Check your local recreation center’s information site and see if they’ve got any holiday deals! If you’re in the Virginia Beach area, VB Parks & Rec is offering gift cards this year. You can use them in a multitude of ways, including: gym memberships, individual classes, outdoor activities, and more!
VB Recreation Gift Card Info
Price: Varies
Someone Who Likes Subscription Boxes
Fabletics
I just tried Fabletics a few weeks ago for the first time after a few of my friends had such good experiences. Verdict: I likey. VIP deals are good and the November 70% off deal on top of VIP discount and clearance was awesome. I ended up having to exchange a few items and now I have 6 amazing items that I am very happy with. Pro trip: call customer service, DON’T opt for chat.
Price: $50/month for VIP (can skip or cancel very easily. You only have the option to skip from 1st-5th of the month.)
Fab Fit Fun
This is one I have always wanted to try but haven’t gotten to yet! Obviously, this gift is one that has more lifestyle items than fitness, but it’s a combo so it can cover a lot of bases for that special someone who is into all of that jazz and sparkle dust. If you know someone who spends a lot of money on products throughout the year, this could be a good way to get a worthwhile deal on full sized products. Reviews seem to vary, but that could be because everyone likes different things.
Price: $50 Quarterly / $180 Annually
All Kinds of Boxes
This site has LOADS of options to choose from. (Hey, work smarter, not harder??) They’ve got a list of boxes on the market from fishing, surfing, hunting, baseball, hiking, snack boxes of all kinds, and everything in between.
Price: These types of boxes are typically around $25-$40/month.
WHEW!
Christmas is coming up fast, but I am positive that there is something for just about everyone on this list – without spending $1000+!
If you’ve got any other suggestions, I’d love to hear them so comment below!
FIT ASCENT 
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