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12 ways to fitness
By Lee Roberts
Wishing those on your list a happy, healthy holiday season with a heartfelt card is a nice gesture. Giving them a gift that promotes good health is even better. The following are just a few suggestions for gifts that can help anyone - from the armchair exerciser to the fitness nut - improve their health.
Balance Ball:
Good balance is something everyone needs. Our sense of balance, after all, is what keeps us on our feet. And a balance ball (used in conjunction with specific exercises) is a fun way for people of all ages to improve not only their balance, but muscle strength and tone, circulation, flexibility and more. These inflatable balls, which come in different sizes, can be used at home or in the gym. And workouts designed for use with the balls can be found in books, as well as on video and DVD, for just about any fitness level. Balance ball classes are also offered at some health and fitness centers. Prices for most balance balls, some of which come with an instructional video or DVD, are in the $24 to $40 range. The Gaiam Balance Ball and video pictured is courtesy of Dick's Sporting Goods, 2710-B South Green Bay Road.
Baskets of Goodies:
A non-perishable version of the healthy gift basket can be found through a number of vendors that offer selections including apple chips, yogurt trail mix, green tea, low-fat baked goods, organic cheese popcorn and the like. One such Web-based company, thehealthybasket.com, offers a number of choices - most falling within the $45 to $80 price range. Shipping, for regular three to four day delivery usually runs $12 to $15, and express shipping is also available. And, if you are feeling creative and have more time than money, you can always put together a basket of fruit or other healthy foods yourself.
Coupons for Childcare: For some people, one of the biggest obstacles to fitting exercise into their life is finding someone to take care of their children while they go for a walk or head to the gym. Why not help those moms and dads on your list by giving them homemade coupons for your child-care services? An hour or two here and there might be just the incentive they need to establish an exercise routine. And the best part about this gift is that it will only make a dent in your time, not your Christmas budget.
Most gyms, health clubs and spas in Racine County offer gift certificates for giving the gift of fitness. Some places require that you purchase a membership as part of the gift certificate, while others offer one-day or week-long passes. At the YWCA, for example, you can purchase a day pass for a guest for just $7, or a gift certificate in any amount for longer use. Flex Fitness Center offers a one-month, full-use-of-the-gym gift certificate for $35, with the option to purchase as many months as desired (there are no signing or membership fees involved). At Curves for Women, the standard gift certificate costs $99 for a three-month membership, all fees included. These are just a few examples of what is available. For more information, look in the Yellow Pages under Health Clubs or Spas and call the location of your choice.
Hand & Foot Care: Anytime is the right time to take good care of our hands and feet - two areas of our bodies that take a lot of wear and tear. And in the winter months, when skin tends to be drier and more fragile, hand and foot care becomes even more important. There are a number of products, from exfoliants and moisturizers to pumice stones and scented cuticle creams, that can be used to make up a personalized hand- or foot-care kit. Some companies offer pre-made kits, including the products shown here from Earth Therapeutics. These kits, one called the "Gardeners Helping Hands Kit" and the other a "Sole Food Foot Therapy Kit," are available at Sheepish, 326 Main St., and cost $20 each. Not only can they make for healthier hands and feet, but they are a nice pampering gift as well.
Also pictured from Earth Therapeutics is an Anti-Stress Comfort Wrap. This rice and aroma-therapy blend filled wrap is designed to calm and comfort tired and sore muscles. It can be heated in the microwave for hot therapy, or chilled in the freezer and used to cool the body and reduce minor swelling. At $10.50 each, these machine-washable wraps make a nice gift for anyone with a little stress in their lives (isn't that everyone on your list?!).
Inspirational Reading and Reference: All you have to do is wander into the health section of any bookstore, and you'll know that this is one of the most written about topics out there. Sure, you'll find books on just about every diet ever invented, and just as many about exercise. But there are also a lot of health books that serve as valuable reference guides for any number of health issues that would make nice additions to just about everyone's bookshelf. A few examples, pictured here, include:
"The Merck Manual of Medical Information" (Home Edition), a good choice for those who like lots of facts; "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," an A-Z reference to drug-free remedies by Phyllis and James Balch; and, "Staying Healthy With the Seasons," one of the first books to integrate ancient Eastern healing traditions with modern Western medical practice. The new edition includes a 2003 introduction by the original author, Dr. Elson Haas, founder and director of the Preventative Medical Center in San Rafael, Calif., one of the leading integrated health facilities in the country.
The Gift of Massage: It relaxes the body and calms the nervous system. It lowers blood pressure, reduces heart rate, improves posture and increases flexibility and range of motion. It has also been known to reduce chronic pain, strengthen the immune system and reduce tension headaches and the symptoms of PMS. Besides all that, it just plain feels good. So, if you want to make someone feel better, why not give them the gift of massage? Whether it's a gift certificate for a session with a professional masseuse (prices range anywhere from ????) or a few bottles of massage oil (for as little as $8 each) and a personal promise for a few hours of your own time, a massage is something that is appreciated by many, especially during the chilly, post-holiday months.
Pedometer: Any walkers on your list? Why not give them a little extra incentive for braving the pavement (or the mall) this winter with a pedometer? Pedometers can perform a variety of functions, from counting steps and measuring distances to counting calories and monitoring pulse. Some models feature a large display while others "talk" to the wearer, and many offer adjustable stride and body-weight settings. Most prices range from $12 to $40, and pedometers can be found in both retail sporting goods stores and on the Internet. The one shown here, as 12-function Sportcraft model, is available at Dick's Sporting Goods.
Pilates Equipment:
While not a new idea, Pilates is quickly becoming one of the most popular forms of exercise today. Pronounced pul-LAH-teez, this method was developed in the 1920s by Joseph Pilates and focuses on improving flexibility and strength for the total body without building bulk. Some of the first people to use the Pilates method were dancers, such as Martha Graham and George Balanchine, and today it is the fitness choice of famous actors and professional athletes, as well as average citizens. The Pilates method can be safely used by people of all ages and physical conditions. And there are a number of things you can buy to inspire or encourage a Pilates workout ranging anywhere from a simple floor mat ($20) to a toning ring (about $32). There are also any number of books, videos and DVDs on the subject. And classes are offered at local fitness centers and health clubs.
For more information on the Pilates method, visit the Web at: www.pilates-studio.com
Stocking Stuffers: You can even find exercise equipment small enough to fit in a Christmas stocking. Something as classic as a jump-rope (for as little as $6.99) is appropriate for just about anyone who's into cardiovascular training, and a squeeze or grip ball (prices around ????) is a good choice for anyone looking to improve their arm, hand and wrist strength and coordination. Other stocking stuffers include head and wrist bands for those sweaty workouts, a rolled up pair of athletic socks, a water bottle or a pair of biking gloves. And don't hesitate to throw in an energy bar or two to fuel the winter athlete on your list.
Teas for Health:
The Chinese have long understood the healing powers of tea. And today there is such a variety of tea available to us - each kind with its own benefits - that you can find one to fit just about any health issue you are facing. Ginger tea for example, is said to settle stomach upset, nausea and motion sickness. And Yin Chiao, a tea made from honeysuckle flowers, forsythia root and other Chinese herbs, can be taken at the first signs of a cold to ward off further symptoms. There are also teas that can help you sleep, keep your urinary tract healthy, soothe your aching joints and more. A nice gift for any tea lover would be a basket of different teas and a reference book, such as "Healing Teas" by Marie Nadine Antol, to help them determine which tea is most appropriate for each situation. A wide range of teas, as well as plenty of information about each one, is available at Sheepish, 326 Main St.
Yoga Mat:
Do you know a yoga enthusiast? You can get them a colorful floor mat to brighten their yoga sessions. Some come with drawstring carrying bags, for easy transporting. Or, if they already have a mat, how about a yoga block or brick? These are used for deepening certain poses, and they also come in some fun colors, including purple and green. There are also yoga straps, neck pillows and other items available on a number of yoga-related Web sites, as well as at area retail stores. Most mats are priced between $15 and $40, and prices for bricks and blocks range from $12 to $20 each. The mat shown here is available at Dick's Sporting Goods.
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