We typically think of the holiday season as being all about excess - when your health and fitness habits get put on hold waiting to be renewed by resolutions.
The good news...there is HO-HO-NO shortage of great ideas to add sparkle, fun and health to the holiday season! Here's just a sample that made our festive fit list:
High Tech & Wearable Fitness
There are great gadgets that stand alone or sync with your computer, phone or another app. These tools range from $50-$500 based on the amount of functions they offer. Basic models track steps and calories while others chart progress, set goals and track your sleep. Choose from many models including Fitbits, NIKE Fuel Band, Jawbone, Garmin, Runtastic, Microsoft Band or Misfit.
Just remember, they won't workout for you!
Home exercise equipment
Functional fitness and body weight training are two strong trends in fitness. This is great news if you want to workout at home because there are amazing tools that are portable, inexpensive and don't take up much space. Gone are the days of glorified laundry holders, choose from a variety of fabulous fit tools including the following:
- TRX - full body workout system for ALL levels - $150-$200
- bands - regular or sleeved options that don't snap - $20-50
- balls - small weighted Pilates balls, core balls to stability balls - $15-$40
- Nordic Walking Poles - we featured Special Edition Urban Poling "Spirit Poles" featuring Aboriginal Art (www.urbanpoling.com) - $50-150
ATTIRE AND ACCESSORIES
It can be challenging to buy clothes for people, however, here are some ideas that are fabulous, fit and a safe bet to be a big hit!
- gym bags - 2 features to include - trendy design with lots of great storage options
- headbands - fun colours and you can always use more
- socks - from regular to yoga style they add both fashion and function
- some are amazing new "smart" wool
- yoga - toeless, tacky parts to avoid slipping
- black tights - you can never have too many
- new tech fibres - very cool and someone might not buy themselves
- gift certificates - just to be safe...but still notes you were thinking about fitness
THE "WE HAVEN'T RUN OUT OF IDEAS YET" CATEGORY
If you're still not sure, there are some great ways to share the gift of fitness with your family and friends:
- personal training - coordinate with their trainer ONLY if they've been training or have been saying specifically they WANT to begin training
- extend membership months - this goes beyond just gym memberships
- swim passes
- walking track memberhsips
- specialty fitness programs and passes - boxing, dance, Yoga, etc.
Still stuck? Here's MORE that you may have seen on our segment:
WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY
- Fitbit Charge
- Fit Bit Flex (available at Target)
- Jawbone UP24 - Persimmon
- Misfit Shine Plus Sport Band - Topaz
HOME EXERCISE EQUIPMENT
- Nike Weighted Jump Rope
- Trigger Point-360 Grid Mini Foam Roller
- Trigger Point-360 Grid 2.0 Foam Roller
- Lifeline Jungle Gym XT
- Spiky Balls
- Professional Balance Boards
- Jogi floor mats, band sets, weights, etc. - The Jogi brand is available at Real Canadian Superstore and select Loblaw banner stores.
ATTIRE
- Body Armour Cut Protective Long Sleeve Shirt
- Body Armour Cut Protective Pants
- Bauer Jeans
- Bauer Elite Skate Socks
- Free To Be Bra*Wild ULVI/6
- Energy Bra SGLB/6
- Seamlessly Plunge Bra HPG B/6
- Flow Y Bra IV TRIG/BLK/6
- Yogi Crew Sweater
- Best Coast Hoodie
- Light As Air Hipster BLK/M
- Light As Air Thong PLPG/M
- Mula Bandbawear Thong
- Mula Bandhawear Bikini
- W Ultimate Padded Run Sock
- W Ultimate No Show Run Sock
- W Ultimate No Show
- Runday Crop BLK/ULVI/6
- Base Runner Pant
- Speed Tight II ARAG/BLK/8
- Exquisite Trouser Crop NFAL/8
- Emerge Renewed Crop
- High Times Pant CPBL/6
- Shine Tight*Roll Down SHIP/6
- Men's Padded Sport Sock
- Format Boxer lNKW/XL
- Revival Pant HBLK/L
- Seawall Track Pant 2.0*Lined
- Men's Ultimate No Show Sock
- Studio Boxer PLUM/XL
- Surge Tight BLK/L
- No Boxer Boxer LCPF/XL
- No Boxer Boxer (The Long One)
- Assert Pant BLK/L
- Hustle Pant*T HSKB/L
- Urban Sanctuary Bag BLK/0/S
All the above items without links are available at Lululemon.
ACCESSORIES
- SpiderTech X Spider 6-Pack Tape
- Nike Women’s Vent Tech Training Glove
- Nike Men’s Lockdown Training Glove
- S’Well Teakwood Bottle 17oz
- Ray Ban LiteForce Aviator
- Oakley Switch Sunglasses Set
- Yurbuds women’s Inspire Pro Earbuds
- Rub A535 Dual Action Cream - available at stores across Canada including Shoppers Drug Mart and Walmart
- EAT NAKD - available at Sobeys, Loblaws, Metro and Whole Foods
- Snow Stompers
- Oakley Airwave 1.5 Hyperdrive with Fire Iridium Goggles
- Bauer Nexus 4000 Stick
Items courtesy Canadian Tire, Sporting Life, Lululemon, Bauer, Real Canadian Superstore, Sport Chek, Indigo and Fitter1.com
Watch for holiday home workouts that require very little time or equipment on www.libbynorris.com. If you have a specific question we'd love to hear from you. We also have a quick survey to find out your biggest challenges to help plan workouts and segments for the New Year!