We made a list, we checked it twice; these gifts are all very nice. Fit Nation’s Holiday Guide
From your yoga-loving daughter to your CrossFit-obsessed friend, we’ve done the heavy lifting; the most want-worthy gifts of the year are all here. Meaning you can go ahead and relax with that glass of low-fat eggnog—12 ounce curls, anyone?
LET IT FLOW, LET IT FLOW, LET IT FLOW
Even the most ascetic yogi still could use a few new things.
Kristi Brems is a 29-year-old yoga enthusiast, runner and zumba-lover. Here she’s wearing a sunshine yellow Flex Keyhole Tank, ($59.00), and the Nova Performance Capri ($98). Both pieces are available at Pure Barre Naples.
THROW IN THE TOWEL
Power through Bikram with this super-absorbent microfiber towel. You’ll never have to worry about your hands slipping during Shirshasana again! To buy: $38, Lululemon Athletica.
SAY YOUR PRAYERS
Think beautiful thoughts as you meditate with these stunning black agate Yogi Beads. To buy: $55 and Naples Yoga Center.
TOTES CHIC
The Namaste Yoga Tote is totally this season’s must-have bag. Perfect for slipping over your shoulder as you grab that vegan cookie after a particularly challenging practice, you’ll wonder how you lived so long without it. To buy: $48, Lululemon Athletica.
BOTTLED UP
This bkr glass and silicone bottle is bpa free and has interchangeable silicone sleeves, so you can always match it to your outfit. No more carrying around a bottle that looks like it fell out of a passing hippie’s knapsack! To buy: $32, Pure Barre Naples.
ZIP IT
With crisp temperatures here to stay for a bit, the Nice Asana Jacket will be your constant companion. With smart stripes and a full zipper, it’s the perfect marriage of fashion and function. To buy: $118, Lululemon Athletica.
56 MILES BIKING, 13 MILES RUNNING, FIVE GOLDEN CHAIN RINGS
Gear up even the most gear-obsessed athlete in your life.
Triathlete Jake Hester loves pushing himself to the limit—whether that’s during the finishing stretch of an Ironman or during a chicken wing eating contest. Here he’s wearing the CWX Men’s Ventilator line of triathlon apparel ($85 for the top and $90 for the shorts, available at Fit2Run), which features CWX Kinesio Web, said to improve posture and balance and provide support.
PUT A LID ON IT
With over 17 vents, the Specialized Evade Aero Helmet not only keeps your favorite triathlete cool, the aero design can shave 46 seconds off their 40k time, making you the granter of Christmas Speed Miracles. To Buy: $250 at Naples Cyclery.
SUCK IT UP
Based on the chia mix used by the Tarahumara Natives of Mexico (yep, the premier ultrarunners of the world), Huma gels are truly all natural, meaning no unpronounceable ingredients. Plus, the apples and cinnamon flavor tastes just like apple pie. To Buy: $2.50 each, Run Florida on McGregor.
GET HORIZONTAL
Ditch the old stand-up aero bottle and slip this sleek aero hydration system under the tree. Refillable while riding, the Speedfil Hydration A2 Aerobar Bottle features zero splash technology, which lets your triathlete know that you were thinking of them (and how much you dislike scrubbing that nasty netting from their old aerobottle). To Buy: $59.95, Naples Cyclery.
DRINK IT IN
On chilly mornings whip up a few mugs of Skratch Labs’ Warm Apples and Cinnamon electrolyte-laden brew. Your biking buddies will be chock full of seasonal cheer in no time. To Buy: $19.50 at Naples Cyclery.
HAPPY FEET
The perfect secret Santa gift for the triathlete in your office, these Balega Hidden Dry Socks feature Drynamix moisture management fibers, which keep feet cool and dry. Seamless toes, ventilation panels, and a deep heel pocket make for a no-slip lasting fit. To Buy: $10, Fit2Run.
SEE CLEARLY, NOW
That friend with twenty pairs of goggles in their bag, who spends a good ten minutes figuring out which ones fit that days exact conditions? Make her life easier with TYR’s Remix Switch Kit Goggles. Your pal can quickly interchange her lenses based on light conditions or personal style. To Buy: $25, Fit2Run.
WIN AT FOOTSY
The Moji 360 Foot Massager just might be the best present ever. Featuring two zones for different massage intensities, this massager is the perfect gift for relieving foot pain, revitalizing sore and tired feet, or even helping alleviate the triathlete’s arch nemesis: Plantar fasciitis. To Buy: $39, Fit2Run.
SLICK MOVES
Nothing says, “I love you” like new skin lubricant. Made from aloe, beeswax, and carnauba, the RunGuard Anti-Chafe Stick will tackle all weather and all distances. Because the only thing that should be rubbed Christmas Day is the turkey. To Buy: $10, Run Florida on McGregor.
HOLY SNAP!
Children of the 90s, rejoice! Snap bracelets are back! Nathan Reflex Snap Bands make you visible in the dark while doubling as handy light-sabers for post-dinner battles with your nephews and nieces. To Buy: $10, Fit2Run.
KETTLE BELLS RING, ARE YOU LIFTING?
Need something for the athlete that has it all and does it all? We’ve got you covered.
You’d never know that local body builder Christine Lerardi just starting going to the gym this year. Now she can be found there regularly, prepping for her next competition. Here she’s pictured in Under Amour’s Printed Fly-By Turtleneck ($59.99, available at Sports Authority).
SIP-N-SLIDE
Slide a flat-when-empty Vapur water bottle in your gym bag and you’ll never have to worry about forgetting your bottle again. Freezes in any shape, is bpa free, and rolls up to almost nothing when empty, leaving no excuse to ever be dehydrated. To buy: $9.99, Sports Authority.
SOCK IT TO ‘EM
Locally based sock designer (and CrossFit coach) Lisa Reddish creates fun, fitness-themed socks for her Lola Gams sock line. With tons of colors and styles to choose from (including a limited holiday edition) you’ll never wear boring gym socks again. To buy: $20, Crossfit Sock.
HIT A HOMER
Admit it: half the reason you workout is so you can eat whatever you want afterwards. We get it. But don’t let your training buddy derail their diet on just any junk food. If you’re going to have a donut, you might as well have a great one, and the Funkadelic donuts at Peace, Love and Little Donuts are pretty hard to beat. To buy: $1.37 each, Peace, Love and Little Donuts.
TEST POSITIVE (IN A GOOD WAY)
Wondering if you’ve fueled up enough? Fuel strips take the guesswork out of your nutrition strategy by testing your sweat. Swipe that bead on your brow; wait for results (which show up almost immediately) then refuel accordingly. Science! To buy: A starter pack including strips and specially formulated chews will set you back $12, Fuel Strip.
MIND THE GAP
Keep your favorite athlete on his or her toes with agility cones. Set up wind sprints or mark off space for form drills. Either way, his or her fitness will improve. To buy: $19.99, Sports Authority.
TUNE OUT
The latest Apple iPod allows you to carry all of your tunes while using cordless, Bluetooth enabled headphones. Never detangle your headphones again! To buy: $149, Apple.
GIVE ‘EM LIP
Lip balm that is. Serious training sessions out in Florida’s sun call for some serious skin care. Get pucker-ready with this Athlete Care balm. To buy: $3.69, Sports Authority.
HAT TRICK
Running to Whole Foods with post-gym hair just won’t do. Slap on this distressed military-style cap and hit the juice bar in style. To buy: $20, Pure Barre Naples.
ROLL OUT
The Trigger Point Performance roller will help the athlete in your life recover faster (and complain less). To buy: $40, Naples on the Run.
DECK THE WALL BALLS
Your box buddies have pushed you all year, say thank you by setting them up with the goods.
Former professional basketball player Marcus Watts now owns CrossFit Lawless, in Estero. While he loves pushing himself to the next level, he also loves helping others reach their fitness goals. Here he’s wearing the Metal Vent Technical Short Sleeve Tee ($64 at Lululemon Athletica).
AT THE END OF YOUR ROPE?
Is there anything worse than trying to workout with a crappy jump rope? Make sure that never happens again with this BODYFIT 9 foot Speed Rope. To Buy: $7.99, Sports Authority.
DON’T MAKE A STINK
The Metal Vent Tech Short Sleeve Shirt is made with special anti-stank material, called Silverescent®. Perfect for those who tend to forget that they’ve stashed their sweaty WOD outfit in the trunk of their car. To Buy: $64, Lululemon Athletica.
SNUGGLE WORTHY
No snow to be seen, but on chilly mornings you can slip the Post Gravity Jacket on and still look cool, er, warm. Thumbholes keep your sleeves in place and the wicking fabric is lightweight and comfortable. To Buy: $128, Lululemon Athletica.
CAVE TO YOUR CAVEMAN DESIRES
Start your new year off right with over 120 easy recipes, meal plans, and a wealth of information in Diane Sanfilipo’s book “Practical Paleo.” To Buy: $23.93, Barnes and Noble.
SHORT AND SWEET
Complete anything your box throws at you in these comfortable, antimicrobial Xiphos WOD Shorts. Proudly made in the USA, these shorts feature an external waistline pocket perfect for stashing your holiday gift list. To Buy: $54.99, XIPHOS Clothing.
MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE
Give your hips, glutes, quads and hamstrings some post-workout love in the 110% Transformer Compression Shorts, which have pockets for ice packs! To Buy: $150, Fit2Run.
GET HUGE
Pre or post WOD, Muscle Pharm supplements have you covered. There are lots of flavors to choose from, so wrap up a tub and keep the strong workouts going. To Buy: $34.99 and $22.99, Power House Nutrition.
RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE
You don’t need anything fancy to get a killer workout. These Rage Resistance Bands are a perfect example. Pack a set when you travel and you’ll never have an excuse to not get a workout in. To Buy: $29.99, Sports Authority
FANCY FOOTWORK
Stash this super-light, super-versatile slipper in someone’s stocking! Available in three drops for outdoor, indoor, and rope use, you can count on this shoe for great speed and awesome grip. To Buy: $120, Fit2Run.
SOCK BLOCK
Facing an extra-long workout? Grab a pair of these socks and let the gradient compression boost your performance or soothe your legs after. To Buy: $55, Fit2Run.
ULTIMATE STOCKING STUFFER
With the 110% Overdrive Sock Kit, ice and compression delivers relief to your arches, ankles, and legs. You’ll be back on your feet in no time. To Buy: $100, Fit2Run.