Holiday Gifts for the Fitness Enthusiast
Here are some items I’m eyeing this year - and some I already own that I’d recommend as gifts!
First, I have to recommend my own services, or course. You can purchase a goal setting and movement assessment session with me for yourself, a friend, or family. Whether its a stand alone session or the start of many, meeting with a trainer to assess your movement patterns and set goals can be huge! Reach out via email to coordinate.
Clothing
The most important items to spend on here are leggings and shoes! In my opinion, you can wear any old shirt. As far as supportive sports bras go, I’m not the one to ask.
Nicer leggings
These Vuori everyday are my current favorite leggings. Great gift for someone who wouldn’t splurge on nicer leggings for themselves! I have clients with a wide range of body types that love this brand too. They’ll give you 20% off your first purchase.
Affordable leggings
I probably wouldnt spend that much money on workout clothes if I didn’t wear them for 12+ hours a day. For a lower price point, I love these Aerie RealMe leggings. They have a light support, barely there feel which I love. Full price they’re around $45, but they are often on sale!
Good training shoes
My current favorite shoe to exercise in is the Nike Free Metcon 4. They also make them for men. If you or a friend have been weight training in running shoes, it’s time to upgrade! Having the right shoe can make a HUGE different. You’ll feel more stable and powerful when performing dynamic exercises. FYI - I sized up in these (usually an 8, but I wear a 9 in this shoe!).
I also like the Reebok Nano series if you aren’t into Nike. Bonus: they also go on sale more.
I really want to try the Vivo Barefoot trainers, but they’re a little pricey (please buy them for me).
Accessories
Custom Jumprope
This custom jumprope sounds extra but it is a huge upgrade and will help you to nail your technique. Buying the intermediate was a game changer with my rope skills and my clients love borrowing it, I’d suggest starting with intermediate or beginner. Now the advanced rope is on my wishlist! This is a great gift idea for anyone wanting to get better at jumprope, or someone who just needs a workout tool they can take with them anywhere.
All you need to know is their height to customize.
Essentials for a home gym
These are the 5 items I purchased first when building the earliest version of Club Garage Gym. They’ll get you a long way!
Powerblock Adjustable Dumbbells
I took these all over SF during COVID lockdown, and still throw them into the back of my car for road trips (like the complete meathead that I am). They come in 24lb and 50lb options. I have both!
Expensive, but anyone who’s still working out at home 2-3 years into the pandemic deserves them. Plus, compared to a set of dumbbells with this range it’s a steal. You’d spend $120 on the 50s alone. These give you the option to adjust from 5 lb to 50 in 2.5 lb increments! You can even use the small 2.5 lb internal weights separately. These are by far my favorite adjustable weight.
Home exercise bench
Everyone loves this two sided foam bench I have in the garage. The taller side is exercise bench height (16”), the lower side is 12”. I use the short side for hip thrusts, step ups for shorter clients, incline and decline push ups, and more. It’s really stable but also light so its easier to store out of the way in your house. The 12” side can fit under a lot of furniture.
Glute loop bands
These are great for warmups and for travel workouts! These loop bands are affordable ($10 currently) and fit anywhere. Most of my clients who work out at home have invested in these exact ones.
Foam balance pad
These balance pads seem unneccessary, but I use them all the time. I have two at each of my locations and use them every day. A few ways I use it in sessions:
to make kneeling and sitting during exercises more comfortable.
to measure full range of motion during split squats, lunges, etc.
added onto the top of my home exercise bench for box squats and more (when 12” is just a little too low.
as a tool to train balance (stand on this and perform a one legged balance drill - not easy!)
A nice yoga mat
If you don’t have a mat already, a nice nonslip yoga mat will make your home workouts (and yoga classes) so much better. I love this Jade Yoga mat.
Nutrition + Habit Building Tools
These simple things that really help me stay consistent with nutrition and healthy habits.
Vitamin/Pill Organizer
If you want to take vitamins, but struggle to remember consistently then get a pill organizer! I use this one because it’s cute, unique, and only $3.99.
Subscription to NYT Cooking
Keep cooking fun! NYT cooking is a social thing for me and my clients. We are always sharing successful recipes with one another.
To-go containers
Breakfast can be one of the easiest places to start improving your diet. Start packing a healthy warm breakfast like oatmeal in this insulated container. I use it weekly!
My 5 favorite kitchen tools
If you’re just getting into cooking, here are my 5 most essential kitchen tools.
Cuisinart food processor
A lot of people will skip a home cooked meal because it just takes too much chopping and slicing. A good food processor can help with that! I have an older version of this Cuisinart.
A good sharp knife
Go buy yourself a fancy knife - support Bernal Cutlery if you can swing it! They’re super knowledgable and will help you find the right knife for your needs. Having a knife that’s actually sharp is so good.
A 6-8 quart dutch oven
This is such a versatile item, you’ll be able to keep it forever. It’s also great if you’re looking to get away from using so much nonstick in your kitchen. I have a very old Le Creuset but I know those are expensive. I also used this more affordable Lodge one for years and really liked it. 6-8 quarts is a really versatile size, so start there.
Smaller baking sheets
These smaller baking sheets are great because you can easily fit two of them on a single oven rack. Usually you don’t really need a full sized one, and this makes it so you can roast multiple things at once.
A good garlic press
If you don’t have a good press this would be a huge upgrade. No more wasting bunches of garlic or spending all your time mincing by hand. I have this one and really like it.
For all else, take a look at Molly Baz’s essentials. I’d trust chef and cookbook author Molly Baz cooking recommendations for anything I haven’t listed! Here are her essentials.
Fit with Julia Studio Wishlist
Concept2 Ski Erg
Will any of you ski enthusiasts chip in to buy me the Ski Erg? This is a great machine for those who want a quick intense workout, something ski specific. It’s also great if you need something that’s easy on knees and ankles without sacrificing intensity. I love my other two ergs (the rower and the bike). I highly recommend the Bike Erg in particular if you want to add a versatile cardio machine to your home gym.
Landmine Attachment Handle
Most of my clients have used my basic landmine setup for the barbell This handle attachment would make it so much easier to hold the barbell for a variety of movements when using the landmine.
Incremental Weight Dumbbells
I’m looking to expand my collection with 17.5 lb, 22.5 lb and maybe even 27.5 lb dumbbell sets so clients can continue to progress even when a 5 lb jump is too much.
Coffeemaker
Who wouldn’t want a coffee to go after their workout? Maybe this Nespresso?
Thanks for reading! What would you add?