LAST MINUTE CHRISTMAS SHOPPING IDEAS- Best Fitness Gifts for 2008

There are always one or two people on our Christmas list that stumps us in the gift giving department every year. You know that person that seems to have everything or who is picky and we are just not sure what to get. We want to get them something that they will love and get great use out of, right? Then why not get them a fitness gift? Everyone wants to look and feel better and perform better not only in their daily game of life but to help them perform better as they do so.

Here are my top 10 list of the best last minute fitness gifts for 2008! You may even find something here to add your holiday wish list as well. Try anything that will get them moving, outdoors and trying something new to keep them motivated to keep moving forward in their health and fitness plans.

1.) A Foam Roller
Not familiar with the benefits of a foam roller? Well now is your chance. Most of us spend our whole day either tied to a desk or a car and we barely have time to work out let alone daily stretching! Well that is where a foam roller comes in handy. It’s by far the best corrective self-massage tool that will dramatically boost up injury prevention and improve performance. A foam roller massages and lengthens the muscles and connective tissue making it the ultimate tool to use for 5 minutes a day to promote circulation, thus healing the micro-tears in your muscles that result from high intensity training! For less than $30 the foam roller will relieve and possibly eliminate aches, pains and tension in the back, knees, hips, shoulders, elbows, legs and more.

If you are going to get a foam roller here is an insider tip, they come in different density levels and for the average person or a beginner roller any foam roller will do but for a larger person or someone that generally prefers more pressure you will want to get denser foam.

You can purchase foam rollers by emailing us at info@trivalleybootcamp.com or you can check out a variety of foam rollers at Perform Better. My brand of choice is The EVA Premium Foam Roller (about $30), I have used it every day for the last several years and I swear by it! Check out foam rollers here.

2.) Resistance Bands
Resistance bands are by far the most simple, convenient, and affordable equipment option in the fitness industry. They supply total portability for killer workouts that can be done anywhere. If you are a busy professional who does a lot of traveling, bands are the perfect lightweight training tool to take your workouts with you on the road as they can fit in the smallest of bags without a problem. If you are a too busy and looking to work out in the comfort of your own home, bands can make this happen too. Bands are the perfect pair to your body weight circuit training workouts for added variety, allow for multiple levels of resistance with practically zero transition and set-up time, are easy on the joints, and are fun to use!

In learning from the world’s premier resistance band training expert, Dave “The Might Band Man” Schmitz. This guy is wild and creates the most innovative fat loss workouts with bands that you’ll ever see. He has his own line of resistance bands that are virtually indestructible. I just got some for testing at home, so we can take them to boot camp. This is very important as I have had some injuries due to bad bands and they can be serious. To get the best bands in the business check out http://www.resistancebandtraining.com/

3.) A Kettlebell
I can’t say enough about the versatility and efficiency of training with the Kettlebell. This single tool can provide you with the cardio and the strength training you need in one workout, you won’t find that with any other gadget out there.

This ancient tool has stood the test of time for good reason you can order your own Kettelbell and kettlebell accessories from the leader in the Kettlebell industry, Dragon Door you can go direct here to find one that fits your needs http://www.dragondoor.com/ . Don't be afraid of a kettlebell, you will be amazed on how great of a challenging work out you can get with 5 basic moves.

4.) A Gift Card to Whole Foods, Trader Joes, or Other Premium Grocery Stores
Think out of the box and rather than spend the money on an overpriced restaurant, why not give a week’s worth of groceries to a 100% organic grocer like Whole Foods to a friend or loved one. After all, everybody’s got to eat, but how many of us actually eat the right stuff to support our fitness goals?

I will admit, several years ago Whole Foods was not my first choice of grocery store. Now however, I shop there almost exclusively these days, particularly when buying produce to avoid foods that are typically loaded with hormones and pesticides at other regular run of the mill grocery stores. Those are the toxins that break down our immune system to the virus' and bacteria around us.

The key is to go in with a budget in mind (e.g. spend $50 bucks on protein, $20 on fruits and veggies, and $10 on miscellaneous items) only buying what you need.

5.) A Gift Card to a Massage Therapist
Most of us get a little crazy busy with stress during the holiday season and nothing eases the tension like a good massage. I don’t know anyone that wouldn’t be happy with a massage, unless you know someone who doesn’t like to be touched. It’s nice to be pampered on occasion, and though the foam roller I mentioned above can do wonders for the majority of your body, nothing can alleviate tension in your upper back, neck, and head like a good massage therapist!

If you are in need of revitalizing your body for the New Year....then give me a call and lets talk dates & times! I can also recommend you to others around the area.

6.) Supplements that Work: Protein Powders, Fish Oil, Multi-Vitamin
I have helped hundreds of people lose thousands of pounds of fat. In my journey, I have found only three supplements to be a mandatory part of the optimal fat loss program: protein powders, fish oil, and multi-vitamin supplements.

Protein powders provide great liquid workout nutrition and a convenient meat alternative for on-the-go snacking. For a protein powder, look for a brand low in sugar and carbohydrates and with a mix of both whey and casein (fast and slow absorbing proteins).

Fish oil, or more appropriately entitled an essential fatty acid (EFA) supplement, is critical to providing key omega 3’s to maximize overall health, performance, and body composition. Studies show that krill oil provides the most effective dosing of EFA’s.

A multi-vitamin provides keys vitamins and minerals that are tough to obtain unless your diet is near picture perfect. I don’t know about you, but I like to cover my bases when it comes to my health. Be sure to choose a multi-vitamin supplement that is made from whole foods rather than synthetic materials, in addition to being made specifically for your gender.

For a complete list of recommendations give me a call or send me an email and I will get you the information you need to get you started. Look for this information on the website for the coming year under the online store front.

7.) Sport-Specific Gift
If you want to give a great gift to an athlete then get them something unique that compliments their sport, whether it is fitness equipment, apparel, or both.

8.) Fitness/Nutrition- Book/Subscription to Fitness Magazine, Recipe Book (Diabetic, Vegan, Seafood, Light & Quick)

If you have just read a good fitness book that you know a friend or family member would benefit from, hook them up with their own copy. Better yet, people love magazine subscriptions. Personally, I am a big fan of Health. This magazine is filled with tons of workout, nutrition, and lifestyle tips. I have a list of recommended books that will be sure to be a great hit with you or a loved one. Let me know if you would like it and I will get right out to you. For a list of other recommended products by Deborah, visit the website after the new year under the online store front.

9.) Polar Heart Rate Monitor
If the person on your list is serious about keeping track of their goals then they will need to know where they are at so they know where they are going with regards to heart rate, calories, mileage and more there are many varieties of the heart rate monitor that can help keep track. Check out Heart Rate Monitors Here http://www.performbetter.com/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=195&img=154&kbid=1254

10.) A Gift Card to a Fitness Boot Camp
Boot camps provide a fun and exciting team environment that guarantee better results than one-on-one personal training for only a third of the cost. Look for a local fitness boot camp with tons of social proof (client testimonials, especially in the form of pictures and video) to make sure they have a solid reputation and a bunch of raving fans of people just like you. Plus, any good boot camp worth its weight offers free trials and money-back guarantees to all newcomers because they are so confident their program works that you’ll more than likely continue after a test-drive, This way there is typically no risk on your part… besides getting your butt kicked, in a good way ;)

So join a fitness boot camp with at least one other friend or family member or buy a boot camp gift card to give to your loved ones. As a boot camp client myself, I know firsthand that everyone always get better results when they embark on a fitness journey with others. And if you live in the East Bay, Tri Valley area, come work with us for the best personal training and fitness programs in East Bay and Tri Valley by visiting http://www.trivalleybootcamp.com/

We’ll change your life and have you looking better naked this coming New Year, guaranteed!Enjoy your holidays and have a very happy, healthy and safe New Year!

Call or email anytime with any questions you may have in health and fitness. I will be happy to assist you in any way that I can.

Feliz Navidad y Prospero Ano Nuevo
From My Family to Yours....

Deborah Sandoval, CMT, CAFT
Owner/President and Head Boot Camp Trainer

Natural Force Fitness, Inc
P.O. Box 5351
Pleasanton, CA 94566
925-518-3434
info@trivalleybootcamp.com
http://www.trivalleybootcamp.com/