Gift ideas for the exercise enthusiast in your life
Exercise enthusiasts will get plenty of playtime with these 2020 holiday gift offerings
The past nine months have forced exercise enthusiasts everywhere to make changes to their routine.
From setting up makeshift DIY home gyms to moving workouts outdoors and learning how to sweat solo, active Canadians found new ways to get their fitness fix.
As a reward for a year when it was even harder than usual to keep moving, here is a selection of holiday gifts chosen with your favourite fitness fanatic in mind:
UA SPORTSMASK ($35; UNDERARMOUR.CA)
This isn't a mask designed to look trendy at the grocery store.
Breathable, comfortable, wicking and with built-in sun protection, Under Armour's non-medical mask is engineered for exercisers on the move. Its structured shape adds a welcome sliver of space between the mask and your face, making breathing easier while still providing two layers of protection.
Add stretchy ear loops that are soft enough to prevent chafing, and it's a mask you won't mind wearing at the gym.
ADJUSTABLE DUMB BELLS ($230-$800; CANADIAN TIRE, FITNESS DEPOT OR LOCAL RETAILERS OF HOME EXERCISE EQUIPMENT)
Anyone who has tried to stock a home gym knows the difficulty of deciding how many light weights to buy. Avoid the whole conundrum by opting for adjustable dumbbells, available in pairs.
You choose the weight you want for any given exercise simply by turning a dial. Starter models offer a range of five to 25 pounds of resistance, but options vary according to strength needs.
RUNNING TIGHTS
Indulge your favourite runner with a pair of tights that will make the miles fly by. For women, Lululemon's Invigorate High-rise Tights are the best of the best — lightweight, sweat wicking and ultra-comfortable, in 19-, 23- and 29-inch lengths. You'll love the discreet side pocket, which is a perfect fit for your phone. Select Lululemon styles (including Invigorate tights) now go up to Size 20. ($128-$138)
Men will love the Surge Joggers, roomy at the thigh and tapered at the ankle. The reflective detailing and back pocket are examples of the many important details Lululemon gets right. Made from recycled nylon and available in 27-, 29and 31-inch lengths, they look and feel great on runners of all shapes, sizes and abilities. ($128)
EARBUDS (BEATS FLEX $69.95; POWER BEATS PRO $329.95; AVAILABLE AT MOST STORES THAT SELL AUDIO EQUIPMENT)
exercisers fall into two camps: Those who like a cable connecting their earbuds and those who opt for a more discreet look.
Beats Flex is a great option for anyone who relies on a cable to keep both earbuds in one place. All the sound quality you need, easy to sync to Apple and Android devices, and magnetized earbuds that snap together when not in use so they can hang around the neck. They're also easy on the budget.
Pricier, but waterproof and sweatproof, Powerbeats Pro are the Cadillac of earbuds.
They have a snug but comfortable fit, even under a tuque, and they're cable-free and wireless, which means they don't tug, wiggle or dislodge during a workout.
And for anyone who forgets to charge their earbuds until they're all set and ready to go, Powerbeats Pro provide up to 90 minutes of playback with only a five-minute charge.
CYCLE TRAINER ($300 AND UP; AVAILABLE AT MOST LOCAL BIKE SHOPS)
If someone on your Christmas list is one of the many Canadians who took up cycling this summer, gift them with a cycle trainer so they can get on their bike all year round. Models vary considerably in price and features, but a good starting point is $300. Expect to pay more for “smart” trainers that sync with popular virtual training programs like Zwift.
FITNESS SANDBAG (STARTING AT $50; FITNESS DEPOT, WALMART)
One of my favourite pieces of equipment in the corner of the basement that is now deemed my home gym is a 30-pound sandbag log. Adaptable to a number of exercises, it adds some much-needed variety to home workouts. Plus, it's heavy yet doesn't damage the floor if dropped. You can choose from a variety of weights.
TU QUE WITH BUILT-IN LIGHT ($25 AND UP; WALMART ONLINE; MARK' S/ L' É QUIP EUR)
A great novelty gift with a ton of possibilities. I bought this hat for my early-morning runs, but it also lights the way for evening walks, snowshoeing in the dark and cross-country skiing before the sun comes up. Buy one for everyone in the family who's up for after-dark adventures.