Last Minute Fitness Gifts

1. DietMinder

The DietMinder is a neat little blank journal that prompts users to enter nutritional and fitness information. Writing down what you eat is great incentive for making healthy choices and helping you or a loved one lose weight. It's easily adaptable to any diet or eating plan and it's available at Borders, Barnes & Noble and other major bookstores.

2. FitDeck Fitness Cards

This is a great stocking-stuffer for the home exerciser or, even better, the traveling exercsier. The size of a regular deck of cards, each card offers an exercise that requires no equipment. Exercises range from cardio moves (jumping jacks) to strength moves (like pushups) and users can do them in order or make their own workouts. There is a description and picture of each exercise as well as modifications.

3. Exercise Ball Chair

This one looks a little strange and may not be for everyone, but it's a great gift if you know someone with chronic back problems. Instead of sitting in a regular office chair, which typically does nothing for posture, your loved one can use an exercise ball to increase ab strength, stability and avoid those irritating back problems that come from sitting all day. This one includes a frame with the ball inside.

4. Back Massager

I got my first pedicure recently (which was wonderful) and they had one these little guys going while the nice lady worked on my feet. It was surprisingly nice since, typically, these kinds of massagers end up vibrating the teeth out of your head. The new ones offer actual massage (rather than just vibration) as well as heat to help you and your sweetie relax after a hard day. It's also under $50...which is awesome.

5. Polar Target Heart Rate Monitor

This is a great beginner heart rate monitor for people who want to track heart rate and progress without a lot of confusing bells and whistles. It only has one button and includes big numbers so you don't have to squint. You can track heart rate and exercise time and you can also get the time--a handy thing in a watch. This makes a great gift for the geek-like fitness friend or for anyone confused about how hard they should be working.

6. Pilates for Beginners Kit

I love kits, baskets...anything that comes with lots of shiny gadgets and thingamajigs. I especially enjoy exercise kits like this one and if you know someone who'd like to get started with Pilates, this is a nice gift idea. The kit includes: a resistance band, a foam seat riser, belly and neck cushions and a a 45-minute instructional video. You can find these at PriceGrabber or at Target, Borders and other big box stores.

7. Fitness Gift Basket

I confess--I love gift baskets and I love this idea for fitness-oriented people. This fitness basket includes a pilates ball, calorie counter, weights, jump rope, power snacks and other exercise goodies. A great gift idea!

8. Reflexology Kit

I like foot massagers, but most of them require so much work (hauling it out from the basement, filling it with water, draining it, etc.) that I never use them. This reflexology kit is easy to use and requires no water. It includes Reflexology Socks with reflexology-point maps, a Reflexology video, a wooden foot-massage roller and two free Bindi massage oils.

9. Ear Warmers

Ear Warmers may seem like a lame last-minute gift (which it is, since you procrastinated), but quality ear muffs are useful to anyone who likes warm ears during cold weather (which would apply to most of us). These are great because they fit over the back of your head--nice for those of us who like to keep hairdos in tact. They're also made of fleece to keep your ears nice and cozy.

10. Exercise Ball Gym

This is an excellent gift idea for physio ball-users...or for me! The frame holds the ball, providing a more stable surface while you do everything from leg lifts to bicep curls. The kit comes with resistance bands, a ball with a pump and an instructional DVD.

Updated 11/29/2005