Gift ideas for your favourite fitness buff
From arm and leg warmers to cool travel gear, make them happy
Fitness fanatics love their gear. Be it the latest technology or a new gym bag, there’s no shortage of items that will add to their holiday cheer. To help you put a smile on the face of your favourite gearhead, here are some gifts suggestions.
CYC L I STS Arm and Leg Warmers $30-$60 — at bike stores everywhere
Brisk morning rides during the spring and fall are made more comfortable with these handy sleeves that slip on and off bare arms and legs. Styled for practicality, they come in a variety of colours from conservative black to flashy pink and can be easily stuffed in a jersey pocket or pannier when no longer needed.
Tires and Inner Tubes $60-$80 — at bike stores everywhere
Serious roadies and bike commuters alike wince when forced to replace yet another blown tire, making a gift of these pricey essentials a hit with all two-wheeled aficionados. To make sure you get the right tire, take a photo of the info stamped on the side of the tire to record its size and take another photo of the bike itself. Show the pictures to the salesperson at your local bike store, who will guide you to the right purchase.
RUNNERS/ WALKERS Phantom Pak $34.99 — Sports Experts
This discreet fanny pack allows runners to carry the essentials without adding a lot of bulk to their midriff. Enough room for any combination of smartphone, keys, health card, money and a tube of sunscreen, the belt is adjustable with limited stretch, which keeps it from bouncing up and down with every footfall.
Zip Lit and Shoe Lit $7.99 Zip Lit, $5.99 Shoe Lit — Sports Experts
Essential for runners and walkers who hit the streets in the dark, these small waterresistant button-sized discs attach easily to a zipper or running shoe, or both, to let motorists know they’re sharing the road. Buy the combo for front and back visibility, so your favourite runner can warn cars coming in each direction. Four-legged friends who run with their master can use Pet Lit ($5.99) to light them up as well.
Nike Element Half Zip $74.99 — Sports Experts
This is one of my favourite athletic tops. Not too tightfitting and, like all of Nike’s Dri Fit line, softer than your favourite old T-shirt. A staple for fall and spring runs, a great base layer under a winter fleece and the perfect goto top for the gym, this investment piece is available in men and women’s cuts and a variety of colours.
GYM RATS Weekend Warrior Bag $148 — Lululemon
This good-looking bag has separate compartments for all gym essentials, keeping a wet bathing suit and sweaty T-shirt away from stinky shoes. There’s even an interior pouch for a laptop and a removable shoe bag. On the outside, there are pockets for a water bottle and a sleeve for a yoga mat. Empty the bag of gym stuff and it’s the perfect weekender.
Fuel Home Presence Dry Snack Container $4.99 — Sports Experts
This handy container clips onto gym bags, backpacks or purses, making it easier to find snacks that always get lost in a mess of gear. Easy to access and even easier to clean, it will hold enough food to keep your favourite fitness fanatic from working out on empty.
No Boxer Boxers $24 — Lululemon
Popular with NHL players, these boxers can be worn under hockey gear, to a CrossFit class or with a threepiece suit. Enough support to keep the boys happy and just enough stretch to allow freedom of movement, and the material wicks away sweat and dries quickly. Available in long or short styles, they’re the perfect gift for the active men in your life who wouldn’t dream of spending this much on underwear.
OUTDOOR LOVERS Smartwool Socks $20 and up — outdoor stores everywhere
Soft and cosy, Smartwool makes socks for the full range of outdoor enthusiasts — from hikers to skiers to runners. They come in a variety of colours, lengths, densities and styles. Designed to wick away sweat, Smartwool has socks to keep feet cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Bio Lite Kettle-Charge $155 — Mountain Equipment Co-op
This cool gadget allows backcountry campers to recharge their electronic devices on a camp stove. Fill the Kettle-Charge with water, boil it over the camp fire or portable burner and it pumps out enough juice to charge up a tablet, smartphone or camera battery. It takes 15 minutes to generate enough juice to power five hours of talk time, five hours of video and 20 hours of audio.
Zippo Hand Warmer $28 — Mountain Equipment Co-op
Fill this baby with Zippo lighter fluid, slip it into your pocket or mitts and you’ll have 12 hours of glorious heat during the coldest days of winter. Reusable, it requires just 11.8 millilitres of fuel and radiates heat 10 times greater than disposable hand-warmers. Includes a fleece case and fill cup.