By Bill Waltzek – CPT
Christmas is a time of giving, sharing and for many – overeating. This Christmas, consider the following for your health conscious recipient that is into protein shakes instead of milkshakes.
1. TRX – Created by a Navy Seal, this compact piece of equipment can be taken anywhere. Suspension training is all the rage and for a good reason – it works. With every body part being challenged with this one piece, it’s a great bang for the buck. https://forwardfit.com/trx/ – $190. For a less expensive version the Jungle Gym XT is just as good. https://forwardfit.com/jungle-gym-xt/ – $99.
2. Kettlebell – Kettlebells are an all-encompassing gym: easy to travel with, versatile and extremely effective. It improves strength, endurance, flexibility, and power. It will fire up your metabolism, in turn causing extreme fat burning effects. The best part – all this can be done in your own home with little space. https://forwardfit.com/kettlebells/ $15- $200.
3. Nike + Fuel Band – Through a sports-tested accelerometer, Nike+ FuelBand tracks your daily activity including running, walking, basketball, dancing – and dozens of other everyday activities. It tracks each step taken and calorie burned. Set goals and sync it up to your smart phone. $149 http://www.nike.com/us/en_us/lp/nikeplusfuelband
4. Polar Heart Rate Monitor – The most effective way to calculate how many calories you actually burn is by wearing a heart rate monitor. Otherwise you’re just guessing. Heart rate monitors allow you to monitor your beats per minute, your calories burned and the intensity in the correct zones. You can set goals and easily identify how much you are on track – or off. Make sure you get the most out of your workouts by wearing a heart rate monitor. Polar is the expert when it comes to heart rate monitors and they have a large product line. $45-$400 http://www.polarusa.com/us-en
5. Foam Roller – Once you have punished your body in the gym you need to recover and a foam roller is a great investment. Not all of us can afford to get a massage everyday, so a self-massage with a foam roller is the next best thing. Like a deep tissue massage, a foam roller can loosen tight muscles and fascia allowing you to move better before or after a grueling workout. https://forwardfit.com/foam-rollers/ $6-$20
6. Bonus – Book – “Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen.” After hitting it hard in the gym it is nice to unwind with a good book. Born To Run doesn’t disappoint. Christopher McDougall learns the secrets of barefoot running from the Tarahumara Indians in Mexico’s Copper Canyon. These super athletes will test their bodies with a fifty-mile race in the heart of Tarahumara territory. This book will leave you inspired to go out and actually enjoy a nice long jog. $11.
http://www.amazon.com/Born-Run-Hidden-Superathletes-Greatest/dp/0307279189/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354201595&sr=8-1&keywords=born+to+run.