I made a commitment this year to try and support local businesses while doing my Christmas shopping for many reasons: to avoid the crowds, to benefit from over the top customer service while shopping and to find that unique gift that I think my loved ones will really appreciate. To help you find the perfect gift or stocking stuffer for the exercise addict in your life, here are my favourite and cannot live without items that all can be found at small, local businesses.
The Polar H7 Heart Rate Monitor
This is an amazing tool for those of us who like to document our workouts with the utmost detail but find those silly watches with all the buttons a pain in the butt to use. (I cannot tell you how many sport watches I have received but never used because I cannot figure out what all the buttons do). This strap will transmit all of the important information you need to know directly to your IPhone, IPod or IPad. You can take this on your run, to the pool or to your favourite spin class. Selling for less than $85, pop into your local running shop and pick one up for someone on your list.
The Laundress Sport Wash and Spray
We all have experienced this – getting 15 minutes into a workout and realizing that the freshly washed shirt you are wearing is not so fresh and you are the one that nobody wants to workout beside. Technical fabrics hold odour and you need to wash them with sport specific detergent to keep them smelling fresh. This detergent is great to use every 5 or so washes to keep your clothes fresh and use this spray in between when a little extra freshness is needed.
Herban Essentials Antibacterial Wipes
Gyms are full of bacteria and as much as the staff tries to keep everything clean it is impossible to maintain. These mild smelling, all natural towelettes are great to use for a quick wipe of your yoga matt or spin bike before you spend an hour sweating on it.
Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray
I have written about this product many times and it is a must have for those of us on the go and need to get a workout in but lack the time to wash our hair after each time we sweat. All of my clients are hooked on these sprays because after a quick shot from the blow dryer and a few sprays of the amazing smelling product your hair will look like it is freshly washed. This gift set has 4 purse sized products that are perfect to throw into your gym bag to combat your sweaty hair.
Personal Training Session
Do you have a favourite personal trainer or exercise class that you love? Then share that love with a friend and buy them a gift certificate for 1 class or personal training session. The studio where I work lets you try out your first class for free so talk to the gym you go to and see if you can get a free pass for a friend or talk to your trainer and ask if you can buy a session or two to give as a gift. People buy me to give to their loved ones as gifts all the time!
