by Jeff Day
If you're looking for a gift for someone who exercises regularly — or for someone who should — you're in luck. Countless gifts cost less than $100. Here are some of the best.
Gifts that Tell You How You're Doing
Heart rate monitors. If the recipient is already exercising, this gift will help him or her exercise correctly. Knowing how fast your heart is beating can help you tailor your exercise to meet one of several goals — heart health, weight loss or increased endurance, for example. There are two types of monitor, each about the size of a watch and worn on the wrist. One type records your heart beat when you touch a sensor; a second type monitors the rate via a chest strap. Basic monitors, which tell maximum and average heart rate, start at around $40. For $100, you can get a model that tells you how many calories you've burned, which of your goals you're meeting, how long it takes your heartbeat to return to normal; it also lets share info with other monitors. For more information on heart monitors, see What to Know Before Buying a Heart Rate Monitor.
Body fat weight scales. Sure, your scale tells you how much you weigh. But it doesn't tell you what percent of that weight is, shall we say, "not muscle?" Knowing what percentage of your weight is fat can be enough to get you to exercise, and watching the fat go down as you exercise can be enough to keep you going. Body fat scales start at $40.
Running band/foot pod/sports band. They go by countless names, but what they all tell you is how far you've run and how fast you've done it. Some attach to your shoe; some you wear on your wrist. Some plug into a computer and keep track of recent workouts. Others are built into a watch. Many are simply fancy pedometers. (Simple pedometers, incidentally, start at around $8.) Others measure the angle of your foot and the time between steps and then do complicated math to figure out how far you've run. Prices start at around $50 (see Gifts for the Person Who has Everything below for a dirt-cheap iPhone app).
Gifts You Actually Use to Exercise
Exercise balls/stability balls. Exercise balls are low tech, but don't underestimate them. Just keeping your balance on one takes energy. Better yet, you can work all the major muscle groups with just a few simple exercises. Prices start at around $17. The height of the person determines the size of the ball, so do a little fact-finding before you purchase.
Dumbbells. Handheld pairs of dumbbells are surprisingly versatile. Buy 2-pounders to stretch a wrist with carpal tunnel or 5- or 10-pounders to tone up the arms and chest. Prices start around $10. Adjustable dumbbells to which you add weight as you grow stronger, start around $20 and are great for more aggressive exercise.
Barbells. Barbells with weights on both ends are for the hardcore exerciser, as well as those who want to be. Barbell sets with cement-filled metal weights cost as little as $20. Sets with easy-on-the floor, soft-polymer exteriors start at about $40. Barbell set prices go up to $100 and beyond, depending on materials and the total weight of the set.
Resistance bands. Resistance bands are basically high-strength bungee cords with handles. You can work your arms, legs and all the muscle groups with simple exercises. Prices start around $10, but talk to the sales staff to make sure you're buying durability.
Gifts for the Cyclist
Bicycle multi-tool. This tool is a pocketknife fitted with Allen wrenches, tire tools and everything you need for on-the-road repairs. Prices start at $5 and run into the $40 range.
Bicycle pump. Fifteen dollars gets you started on a pump that clips to the bike. For $20 you can get one that inflates using a carbon dioxide (C02) cartridge. For filling a tire at home, consider floor and foot-operated pumps (anywhere from $3 to $80). Pumps that plug into the cigarette lighter start at $13 and go much higher.
Bicycle helmet. Nothing says "I love you" like a gift that saves a life. Bicycle helmet prices start at around $7 and go beyond $100.
Gifts for the Person Who Has Everything
Wii Fit Plus. If the everything-your-recipient-has includes a Wii system, the Wii Fit-Plus puts him or her through the works. The heart of the system is a balance board that senses your weight, balance, posture and body mass index. Based on everything it senses, it assigns you a fitness rating, called a "Wii fitness age." From there you choose your exercise — Yoga, running, strength training, golfing, hula hoops, push-ups, running, skateboarding or Kung Fu, to name a few. On-screen trainers talk you through your routine. Prices start at around $95.
Fitbit tracker. How far did you walk today? How many calories did you burn doing it? The Fitbit is a monitor that looks like a money clip and uses a motion sensor to answer these questions and more. How many hours did you spend being a couch potato? Fitbit knows. How much of your activity was light, how much was fairly active, how much was very active? Fitbit tells you. It also tells you how you slept at night, when you went to bed, how many times you woke up and how much sleep you actually got. A small built-in display gives you on-the-spot results. Get within 15 feet of the Fitbit base station, and the data automatically downloads to your computer, which in turn gives you analysis and graphic presentations of all the info the Fitbit gathered. A computer is required for the base station. Price: $99.
Jeff Day is giving everyone a lecture for Christmas. We're getting fat, people.
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