‘Tis the season to be gifting and as many of you know, health nuts can be difficult people to shop for. The usual standbys of holiday goodies don’t work unless you know whether they fall into the Everything in Moderation camp or the Sugar is the White Satan camp, something that can be hard to sneak into everyday conversation. On first thought, workout clothing might be a good option until you realize the minefield that is buying someone else tight spandex. Next up: workout gear from their sport of choice. Except that unless you also love the same sport you will have no idea what to get them thereby making you prey to any passing salesman with an eye on a fat Christmas commission. And while there are a few items that are universal to every sport, nothing says “never look me in the eye again” like a fur lined jockstrap:
Don’t worry, the manufacturer says you will be girding your chilled loins with naught but the finest faux fur.On the subject of gifts for fitness fanatics, Another Suburban Mom asks
“Could you please address good underwear to wear while exercising, as I find that my thong gives me a front wedgie during kickboxing. Also, what are good gifts for my aerobics instructors. I am thinking that a small loaf of my eggnog poundcake might be a faux pax.”
Since the term “front wedgie” makes me giggle like a 12-year-old boy in the feminine hygiene aisle, I’ll answer that one first: see above. Kidding! Others may disagree with me but I think thongs are the worst workout undies ever. Not only do they have the “front wedgie” (and back wedgie, duh) problem but they also give really weird lines under spandex if you have anything over 0.02% body fat. My solution for kickboxing is a nice tight (and opaque!) pair of capri workout pants. Preferably black so I don’t get sweat stains that cause me to make up childish nicknames. For more on workout underwear, check out my Public Wedgie Picking post.
As to your second question, I am stumped. Although I am really impressed that you remembered to get your group fit instructors a present! (And also, please send me the recipe for eggnog poundcake. I have never heard of such a thing but now I must try it!)
VaMomof2 shares your frustration:
“I need Christmas ideas for my husband. Last year I bought him a TRX because I read about it here and he loves, loves, loves it. Anyone have any new ideas for great workout equipment or accessories for men?”
My first thought is P90X – it’s pricey but men (and lots of women) really love it! Plus it would play so nicely with your TRX! But that’s where my child-wearied brain poops out. So in order to save your loved ones from Just Another Gift Card, what are your best ideas for fit and healthy gifts? What do you guys give your group fit instructors/personal trainers/weight floor stalker? Any good gift ideas specifically for exercise equipment for men? What are your thoughts about thongs as workout attire?
My trainer advised the thong because it works for her, but it front-wedgied me so that will never happen again.
I think P90X is a great gift for someone but only if they truly want it or want to get into some mad shape. Don't give it to someone who "just kinda" wants to get in shape, they won't like you anymore.
I love my Patagonia underwear for working out. WICK WICK WICK.
hmmm. fitness gift? I always stay away from those.
how about a gift certif. for a massage instead?
who can get miffed or take offense at that? 🙂
don't buy P90X straight from the company. My sister found it for around $50 i believe from Amazon.
I have been wondering the same thing about underwear! So you wear nothing but the spandex capris or are they under your workout pants??? I bought some boy-short syle underwear but they wedged-up and I was just teaching Pump! ugh!
I have found success with some silkie undies from Wal-Mart and just don't get my spandex super tight so the lines don't show…
you question about gifts stumps me so i need some ideas too 🙂
and the only time i've worn a thong to workout is when i play vball. because the only other choice is going commando and i'm not such a big fan while exercising. i just go with my regular undies but i don't really ever wear spandex as spandex so it's not the biggest issue ever for me
Since I'm a guy, I will stay away from the front wedgie fighting underwear question and stick to the Christmas present query.
If the TRX was within budget a year ago, then I might suggest something like a decent sized kettlebell and the KB & TRX Fit Decks for this year's gift.
I know that I have a TRX and a few KBs and would love the KB & TRX FitDecks for Christmas……
Or, a sandbag from Sandbag fitness might be another way to go…..
I thought workout thongs were perfect (have some from Athleta before they stopped carrying them – bummer) until I started taking BodyStep – wow – had never experienced a front wedgie until then. Will need to try something different.
I am the one that asked about gifts for fitness fanatic. I did order him some hiking socks (which he sort of asked for) and found him a cool picture frame made of a bicycle chain (he loves biking just as much as his trx). He already has all the bike gear and then some (he lives on steepandcheap.com and bonktown.com). I might try the massage thing – I tried it many years ago and he just let it expire but he has had his first massage experience on an anniversary trip since then and loved it.
Every year I give my bootcamp instructor a bag of goodies from Trader Joe's. Bottles of sparkling juice, bags of trail mix, a few different protein bars, and something really decadent like a box of the chocolate/peppermint dipped Joe-Joes.
I have workout pants that have underwear-esk elements to them so I go commando when I wear them. When I don't wear those pants, I wear my normal underwear and brave the lines and wedgies.
This "front wedgie" thing is cracking me up!
My "regular" underwear are just your basic cotton Jockey for Her's in a tube, (Elance bikini) and they seem to work just fine for working out. But then I don't kickbox. Never thought about the special undergarment requirements of high-kicking sports!
Lululemon and Under Armor make good undies for workouts. And gift cards to same are nice, because they have a good variety of stuff AND it's all really expensive, so any help paying for it is appreciated, lol!
I agree that P90X is only for someone who wants to work out like a maniac 6 days a week. It's good, but it's intense. And, yeah, get it used if you can.
The same instructor, Tony Horton, also makes one-on-one workouts. I haven't seen them, but I would guess they're quite good.
There are also things like nationwide gym/yoga studio passes. You buy a book and it allows the bearer to get into various fitness centers and studios across the country, which is great for people who travel. Or maybe a super-absorbent workout towel? That seems to be the "new" thing.
"My solution for kickboxing is a nice tight (and opaque!) pair of capri workout pants"
…I take this to mean you exercise commando? It would get rid of the lines. Just curious. A number of my friends do it.
I just don't wear spandex or tight workout wear. I stick to runners shorts or yoga shorts…they seem to leave me wedgie free. And I'm just not confortable with the way they wegde my thighs into bizarre and odd shapes.
I find I have to wear thongs or I'm arranging my undies all the time during a run. Regular undies don't work for me when I sweat. Probably why I don't wear tight workout wear. It just feels really wierd.
I guess everyone has their individual "fit" 🙂
I don't usually do fitness gifts, and I try to shy away from giving food because I know I don't want that crap around the house so I don't want to push it on anyone else. Zliten however loves baking cookies for the neighbors and junk so it's not all up to me. I really, honestly, try not to give a bunch of gifts to people I don't know well because I don't want them to feel obligated to reciprocate. This year our friends are throwing a white elephant party, which is more fun anyway.
If I don't know what to get someone, at least in my circle of friends – a nice bottle of wine/booze usually is appreciated, especially around this time of year when everyone is entertaining, or just trying to keep warm. In healthy-people circles though, ymmv, but I think a lot of folks would not thumb their noses at a nice bottle of wine (unless they are decidedly non drinkers for whatever reason).
I have a perfect pullup mounted in a doorway, and I use it almost every day. It's a little pricey for a chin up bar plus, but it's well constructed. It is everything the company claims.
http://calorielab.com/news/2008/12/08/perfect-pullup/
I am sooooooo boring! I find out what they like best & gift cert to them so they can buy from their fav place.
I am laughing at that front wedgie too!!! It is so true & for some TMI, worse as you age.. UGH!
I have heard that Lulumon undergear is good but I have not tried it myself.
Did anyone else pick up that Charlotte doesn't wear underwear to the gym? I'm only saying because I don't either. Why bother wearing panties under spandex? Just silly. My gift idea for fitness newbies is the heart rate monitor.
Nike+ makes a great present! Heart rate monitors or Body Buggs work as well. This year, I got my husband a workout journal and a pull-up bar.
Socks for their particular sport are usually welcome. I agree with Kara, a heart-rate monitor for newbies.
cammi99
I've considered getting workout instructors really nice water bottles. It's something that would be super useful for them (note "considered". I was too cheap to follow through. It's the thought that… no. No it's not. Lol).
I'm with you on thongs. They're great for normal-wear, but I've tried working out in them and they just cause a myriad of problems.
I keep asking my parents for gift cards to Lululemon or something. I figure that's easy, then I can pick my present. But for some reason they never want to go the fitness route. Tis unfortunate, as new workout clothes is something I REALLY need.
since i'm a fitness fiend, i'm just going to list things that would be great presents to receive!
i could really use some *cute* workout clothes. i have been working out in my HS basketball t-shirts and shorts for far too long–like nasty yellow pits too long. plus, those bball shorts are annoying for crunches, they like to slide down your legs.
in a pinch, i'm a big fan of a good workout dvd. it's nice to have a reliable workout for the day i just can't get out of the house.
i'm also a fan of the pull up bar i just bought at the thrift store–it's one of those you see on infomercials–can be easily removed from your door frame and used for doing dips and elevated push-ups! love it. also, when i walk by it and have it up, it's like a game to just pop up and do a couple reps.
lastly, a gift certificate for getting new gym shoes is great. we wear through shoes so quickly that it would be nice to ease some of the guilt for spending so much money. some nice wicking socks to go along would be super.
Hmm, not to get too descriptive, but I don't seem to have the trouble with the front wedgies…is it the brand she buys?? OR perhaps it's the workout pants themselves- THOSE sometimes give me the front wedgie aka camel toe and I've tossed them because of it!
I <3 my Heart Rate Monitor.
I would give an instructor homemade energy bars or the like- healthy, not too fattening.
Ha ha ha, a front wedgie? Thankfully I have never had one. Or even heard of one before today. I wear Lululemon thongs. They are pricey, but I guess worth it!
The best fitness gift I ever received was my Garmin Forerunner. I use it all the time!
The BEST underwear to wear while working out are from Gilligan O'Malley. You must try them. Your booty will thank you. You'll never have to reach into your crack again.
http://www.fitandhungry.com/fit/never-dig-in-your-crack-again/
And as a fitness professional, I'd day any type of pampering gift certificate would be generous. manicure, facial, massage. We are stressed people!
Angel
If you click on this link, http://anothersuburbanmom.blogspot.com/2008/12/friday-foodie-christmas-dessert-time.html
You will find the eggnog poundcake recipe. You will be delighted about how easy it is to make.
Thongs should not be worn while working out, full stop:
http://healthmad.com/women/the-health-risks-of-wearing-thong-panties/
Other than everyone's suggestions, the key is to wear underwear that fit, and too big causes more wedgie problems than too small (the material WILL shift and it had to go somewhere).
Wanted to update that I bought my husband a trx tshirt and the fitdeck that someone spoke of here. Also got my personal trainer a body bath set (to ease her aching muscles – wait she makes my muscles ache).
Also plan to hit up target tonight for the no wedge panties mentioned in a linked blog – your readers rock!
For the cyclist: http://www.fatcyclist.com/2006/11/20/50-gift-ideas-for-cyclists/
Most of the fitness gifts I give are for people just getting into sports (and I tend to push so many various activities upon people that I always know someone just getting into something), so I usually buy something they don't have. My friend who just got a road bike got clipless pedals, my brother in law who just started running got water carriers, etc.