Holiday Fitness Gift Ideas

This year was a struggle between working out daily and eating Reese's Cups for breakfast. I have learned quite about health and fitness and have a few gift ideas for the holidays for your family, friends, and even yourself.


Limm Exercise Resistance Loop Bands

My trainer, Aurora from AD Fitness, brought her Limm Exercise Loop Bands to our training session and I loved them. I had resistance bands before but they were not looped. These bands are great because they are great quality, versatile, and easy to travel with. The bands range from X-light to X-heavy.  I actually brought them with me to out trip out west, so I could continue my workouts. These bands are great for beginners or a great addition to seasoned athlete. The current price listed is $9.97 which in my opinion, is an amazing price for all the workouts for all levels it provides.

Image: Amazon.com

FitBit Charge 2 

I have had my FitBit Charge 2 since June 2017 and it has been essential to me because of the heart rate monitor alone. I'm constantly flipping from hyperthyroid to hypothyroid and tracking my heart rate helps me know if I run too high or low. I obviously benefit from the step counter as well because 99% of the time I over underestimate my steps, especially at work. I also enjoy the two minute relaxation guided breathing session and the reminders to move with vibrations and messages. You can also choose to get notified of texts and phone calls. My FitBit Charger syncs easily with my Pixel 2 and the app is easy to use. I like that you can challenge your friends to daily or weekly challenges because it keeps you motivated. The charge usually last about five days. My only issue I have is that sometimes it can give me a rash if I wear it for an extended time, but I also wear it in the shower, so that could be to blame. It definitely surpasses the FitBit Flex I have tried previously.  If you want to read reviews about other fitness trackers, you can check out Reviews.com and check out their opinions on dozens of tracker. They chose the FitBit Charge 2 as The Best Heart Rate Monitoring Fitness Tracker.

Image: Amazon.com

CopyCat Yoga Mat

I came across the Copycat Yoga Mat on Etsy and I thought this was such a cool product. I was a disaster at yoga and never knew where to put my hands and feet for poses. I'd feel frustrated and miss instructions on breathing or other information. In class, I felt self-conscious and I think this mat will really help adults and children learn yoga with confidence. Not only does the mat show foot and hand placement, but it shows different poses like Triangle and Halfmoon. They also have online videos showing poses and notifications. The mat is non toxic, eco friendly, phthalate and latex free, SGS tested and certified. It is extra thick (1/4" which is twice as thick than a standard yoga mat), extra long (72" x 24" which is 4" longer than a standard yoga mat) and self adjusts to work with any height. I use it more frequently because it works for a lot of my resistance band workout, ab workouts and more. The mat is squishy and thick and I have been know to fall asleep on it occasionally. You can purchase on Etsy or Amazon. You can also find the owner, Sarah Mark (@SnowBoardYogaGirl) on Instagram she is a badass athlete!

Image: Amazon.com

 2Toms Sports Shield Towelette

I became an ambassador for Medi-dyne mainly because of Sports Shield. I fully endorse their products because they WORK. Since I was bigger runner I had lots of chafing issues and after a particular run while training for the NYC marathon last year, I realized BodyGlide wasn't going to cut it. As I silently screamed in agony in the shower after a long run, I decided to try some new products. I came across 2Toms Sports Shield Towelettes during a Runchat, looked at their products and decided to try their towelettes and roll on. Since I've tried them, I haven't had any chafing issues.  NOT ONE. I'm particularly fond of the towelettes because they are small and portable. I had been known to unwrap one and stick it down my bra for long runs just in case I've missed a spot. My friends and I recently used a few of their anti chafing and anti stink products when we took our trip out west a few months ago. It was a fantastic trip that wasn't hampered by any blisters. You can use my discount code: AJH20 for 20% off your orders.

Image: @2toms

TigerLady

When I was a runner, I would do the majority of my running in the dark by myself, especially when the time changed in November. I was ALWAYS decked out head to toe in reflective gear, lights, and bright colors, but all that gear wouldn't have saved me from an attacker. Tiger Lady is safety at your fingertips. It is small, light weight, and needs no batteries or charging. I had no issues running with it and it made me feel A LOT safer no matter where I was. I carry it when I'm not running as well so instead of holding onto my phone in my hand, I replaced with a Tiger Lady. No one coming up to attack me would suspect that I had a self defense claw in my hand. To activate the three claws, all you have to do is close your hand and make a fist. The retractable claws protrude between your knuckles ready to meet your attacker. I feel confident and very Wolverine-like when I have my Tiger Lady. You can use my discount code HAUGHTIGER for 20% off!


Video: Tigerlady


TRX Suspension Training System

TRX was another product that my trainer, Aurora from AD Fitness, introduced to me. It was love at first site! The first TRX version was created by Randy Hetrick, who was a Navy Seal Squadron Commander, while he was deployed. His version was made up of jiu jitsu belt and parachute wedding. TRX is now found just about anywhere and is used by one million users all over the world. TRX has many fans: beginners, runners, combat athletes, yogis and so many more. NFL player, Drew Brees, is officially partnered up with TRX. Personally for me, I love that you can get a total body workout in as little as fifteen minutes a day, but my workouts typically last between twenty to thirty minutes. I like that even as I'm doing some exercises that they don't feel like I'm doing much, but when I wake up the next day, I'm definitely feeling it! All you have to do it put the anchor over the door, close it and get to work. As of right now, I do have limited space, but I have more than enough exercises to get a challenging workout, thanks to Aurora. You can purchase on the TRX site or Amazon

Video: AD Fitness

AD Fitness

This past summer I contacted my college friend, Aurora, who is probably the most fit person I know. I wanted to get in shape and wanted her to train me. Aurora is a certified personal trainer and AFAA Certified Group Fitness Instructor  and is now the proud owner of AD Fitness. Aurora is professional, fun, and super motivating. Aurora has helped me shrink down eight inches in a months time. If you are interested in speaking with her and about your fitness goals and how she can help you, you can email her to get more information.

Diet Bet 

I know that Diet Bet isn't a gift you can get someone, but you could definitely give this gift to yourself, especially to help you stay on track this holiday season. I recently joined FatGirlFedUp's Healthy Holiday Reset to stay accountable. To join any Diet Bet all you have to do is go to the website, look for a game that suits you, bet the money required for the game and start losing! The app is easy to use and you can post Facebook style about your workouts, recipes, triumphs and trials. You can also get motivation, advice and post pictures. Once the game is over, if you lose the percentage weight required, you share the pot with others that are in your game. 

Image: DietBet

Eat Drink Be Healthy Exercise Notebook

I've been looking for a cheap fitness diary where I could record the basics, food, water, exercise, goals, cravings etc. I looked at quite a few different fitness diaries, but I couldn't believe that some where as much as $50! They claimed that you can't put a price on your health......RIDICULOUS! It's a nice clean layout with the perfect amount of space for me to document everything I need to track. If you click on the link, you can see how it is organized inside the book. Plus, you can't beat the price, it's only $4.49 on Amazon! 

Image: Amazon

Medi-Dyne StretchRite

I got the StretchRite in the mail I was excited to try it. I read the insert and it was super helpful. It has a coaching guide that shows which stretches are best for specific sports and for general fitness. It also has three grips so adjusting the tension is simple and you can easily see your progress. The strap and hand grips are strong and non-elastic. Being as inflexible as I am, I was a bit hesitant but there are some easy and comfortable stretches for me to try. I have obviously been working on touching my toes, but you can use the StretchRite on your hamstrings, ankles, inner thighs, hips, calves, shins, buttocks, lower back, quads, IT band, shoulders, chest, rotator cuffs, and deltoids. It helps relieve tightness, helps prevent injury, and recover from your workouts faster. The StretchRite would be beneficial for anyone looking to increase flexibility, student athletes, dancers, runners, and the list goes on and on. Don't forget you can use my discount code: AJH20 for 20% off your orders.

Image: Jen Haught

So, that's my 2017 fitness gift ideas for you all. What's on your fitness wish list? Any products you would suggest that I check out? 

Happy shopping!