'Tis the season for health and fitness gifts
The perfect gift may be the one that gets your spouse up off the couch, inspires your best friend to eat a tad healthier, or surprises your sister with the ideal accessory for her outdoorsy life... a gift that helps them celebrate fun and good health. We turned to top fitness and health experts for their favorite gear and gift ideas - including what's on their wish lists. Now we're sharing them with you...
Inspiring workout wear
Mantra workout clothes by M by Mind in Motion
Under $100, prices vary by clothing and accessory type
You're jogging along, out of breath, when you look down and the bottom of your shirt says "BREATHE" or another positive word to keep you going. Runner's World associate editor Ali Nolan, says, "I truly love this brand and I think anyone who loves a good mantra will, too. Clothes with motivational sayings totally make you run faster." The words are upside down on pants and shirts, so you can see them when you're in motion. Hat mantras are backwards, readable when you take that last glimpse in the mirror before you hit the road.
The gift that gives back
Charity: Water's MIZU water bottle
$22
Charity: Water's toxin-free water bottle will do more than encourage a loved one to exercise more and work up a thirst. You'll also be making a donation to the non-profit organization whose mission is to bring clean, safe drinking water to people in developing countries.
Light up her life (or his)
Urban 850 Trail bike light by Light and Motion
$180
Gloria Liu, gear editor for Bicycling Magazine, says the year-round cyclist in your life will appreciate this powerful bike light. "One of the biggest challenges in winter is just getting out for a ride when it's dark. You can totally do it if you have enough light - a good 700 or 800 lumens. The light pattern diffuses a little wider than the normal commuter light," says Liu. At 850 lumens, she adds, "It's like a car light."
Togetherness
Dual gym memberships, fitness classes or road races
Prices vary, starting under $100
Spending time together - that's what's on Dr. Vonda Wright's holiday gift wish list. A dual gym membership or fitness class is a great way to enhance both physical and emotional wellbeing. "If you're signing up someone who's never ventured off the couch, instead of you buying them a 20-session package, buy the both of you a 10-session package," says Wright, an orthopedic surgeon and the medical director of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's Lemieux Sports Complex.
To make it less daunting, choose a gym, yoga or other class that welcomes a variety of people, or caters to those at a similar fitness level (don't take grandma to a muscle gym, in other words). For an already fit friend, treat the two of you to a road race together -- ramp it up even more with a spartan or warrior race, suggests Wright, who is also the author of "Fitness After 40."
Spice of life
Herbs and spices
From about $3.00 and up
One of the best ways to "kick up" flavor when you cook without adding extra calories and salt is to sprinkle on low- or no-salt herbs and spices, says healthy cookbook author Holly Clegg. "I love a variety of good quality spices." Penzey's offers salt-free herbs in mixes such as Tuscan Sunset, an Italian sprinkle for veggies, salads, and sauces. Clegg is partial to the California brand Spice Ace. "When I was in San Francisco, I fell in love with Spice Ace." Both companies let you customize your own gift boxes or buy individual bottles.
For the yoga diva
Vita Vinyasa by Specialized Bicycle Components
$990
"It's a pretty blinged-out gift," says Bicycling Magazine gear editor Gloria Liu about the Vita Vinyasa yoga bike. A town bike that's specifically designed for women and built for pedaling to yoga class, it features a yoga mat and pannier to carry it. Liu loves the satiny finish and blue fenders "which are awesome for keeping rain out." "If you really want to spoil someone and wow them on Christmas morning," she says, this is the gift.
A healthier holiday turkey
Oil-less Turkey Fryer
$129.99
Louisiana-based healthy cookbook author Holly Clegg says, "The South especially likes their fried turkey." Oil-less turkey fryers are a healthier alternative to the traditional deep-fry method."The turkey comes out so moist, as well as crispy on the outside." Another perk: No oil purchase is needed, so it's cost-effective. Clegg recommends Char-Broil's The Big Easy Oil-less Turkey Fryer and Masterbuilt's Butterball Indoor Electric Turkey Fryer.
Olive oil-iscious
Marianello 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil
$19.95
For friends who love to cook, slide a bottle of gourmet olive into a stocking or under the tree, suggests Holly Clegg, the author of six health-themed cookbooks, including "Eating Well to Fight Arthritis." One of her favorites, by the Sanger Family of Wines, is their 2014 Marianello 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil. "I always keep a bottle of good olive oil to use in vinaigrettes or with pasta, vegetables or bread," says Clegg, who likes that she's supporting a small businesses, too.
Let it shine when it rains
Outdoor Research Women's Helium II Jacket
$159
Outdoor adventure blogger Dirtbag Darling says she "never ever" leaves home without this lightweight, waterproof, breathable jacket. The surfer, climber, paddle boarder, all-around outdoor fitness buff and former magazine editor recommends it on her site's best products guide because it packs down smaller than a granola bar and can be forgotten about until it starts to shower.
Sweet stocking stuffer
Honey Stinger Waffles
$22.24 for a box of 16
Packable and delish, Bicycling gear editor Gloria Liu says Honey Stinger organic waffles make a perfect stocking stuffer for cyclists. "Waffles have become popular with cyclists because they're a good source of carbs and also they're just really tasty," says Liu, who likes that Honey Stingers' single packets fit in a jersey pocket. The company is coming out with gluten-free flavors in 2016. Outdoor fitness buffs will enjoy the treats, too, which feature organic wildflower honey and come in flavors such as cinnamon, maple, salted caramel, chocolate, and lemon. Another brand Liu recommends: "I just tried the Rip van Wafels, the coconut ones. I had them weeks ago and I'm still thinking about them."
Where to buy
Charity: Water's MIZU water bottle, $22
Eating Well to Fight Arthritis cookbook by Holly Clegg, $22.45
Fitness After 40 by Dr. Vonda Wright, $17.95
Honey Stinger organic waffles, box of 16 for $22. 24. For GF waffles, $23.84
Marianello 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil by Sanger Family of Wines, $19.95
Oil-less Turkey Fryers by Char-Broil and Masterbuilt, $129.99
Outdoor Research Women's Helium II Jacket, $159
Penzey's Spices and Spice Ace, from about $3 and up
Spartan races, Warrior races. Race registration fees start at $69 and up, depending on race length and location.
Urban 850 Trail bike light by Light and Motion, $180
Vita Vinyasa women's yoga bike by Specialized Bicycle Components, $990