Fitness Gift Ideas

We all have friends who live and bleed fitness and regular workout routines at the gym. And we all also have friends who want to crack the fitness nut but believe it's a challenge, a chore, something to dread. The common denominator in each camp is a belief that exercise is a way to stay healthy, active, and alert.

Whatever the driving force, the following gifts will certainly help your fitness freak or fitness procrastinator stay in the game.

Tom Venuto's Burn the Fat program
This exercise program makes the perfect gift for the person who is always putting off getting in shape. Outlaw bodybuilder thumbs his nose at weight-loss "experts" who earn fortunes on the sweat and dreams of men and women, and finally reveals the simple proven science of fat loss no one else will tell you about. Check out this tried-and-true program here.

Fitness Magazine Subscription
Magazine subscriptions are always a great gift alternative. For the health and fitness nut, look for those that focus on creating a healthy mind and body. These magazines include articles on exercise, sports, nutrition, travel, self improvement and general health. Medical and sports experts also offer advice for use in everyday work, fitness and personal situations. For men, consider Men's Fitness, Flex, or Men's Health. For women, there's Shape, Fitness, and Self. For universal appeal, look for Runner's World, Prevention, and Natural Health.

Fitness DVDs or Videos
Instead of a gym membership, give that exercise fanatic a collection of fitness videos or DVDs. They're convenient and allow the recipient to workout whenever they have the time. They'll be learning from experts and won't have to wait in line to use equipment.

Body Fat Analyzer
A body fat analyzer is a personal device that helps keeps a person's body fat percentage in check. This tool will help your fitness guru keep track of his or her progress related to workouts and dieting. Don't think of it as an insulting gift. Fitness buffs enjoy monitoring their progress. Other great ideas are a stopwatch, professional scale, lap counter, or pulse monitor.

Resistance Bands
This is a great gift for the frequent traveler, who does not want to sacrifice their workout regime. Resistance bands will help them keep their routine up to date. These items provide progressive resistance exercise for almost all rehabilitative and fitness needs. Most bands come with various bands and an instructional DVD.

Exercise Ball
For fitness-minded friends and family, consider a gym-quality exercise ball. These exercise gadgets usually come with several accessories and an instructional DVD. They are a hot fitness item and have become so popular that most gyms and fitness centers now offer classes using them. The exercise ball is a great innovation to the fitness industry, as it helps develop muscle tone, improve flexibility and can be used just about anywhere.

The gift of health and fitness is a gift that will keep on giving all year long. And it's appropriate for virtually everyone on your shopping list -- from your parents and your spouse, to your co-workers and even your children. After all, who doesn't want to look and feel better? We all want to be healthy. So go ahead and give them the gift of fitness. It's a gift to be proud of.