For many of us fitness buffs, it is not thoughts of sugar plums that are dancing through our heads and onto our holiday wish lists. It is the latest gadget, fitness equipment or exercise trend that we’re dying to literally get a “jump start” on doing prior to the New Year. So if you still have a few more gifts to purchase, share your enthusiasm for health and wellness this holiday season with those you love.
Speaking of dancing sugar plums, if you and your significant other want to Rumba in the New Year, why not treat each other to Latin dance lessons? With reality dance shows sauntering into our living rooms each night, join the craze and get fit while having fun.
If mom and dad want to trim down instead of just trimming the tree this holiday, why not enroll them in some Zumba Gold or Aqua Zumba fitness classes? The Zumba craze is taking the nation by storm this holiday season, with both of these formats appropriate for seniors.
Say your in-laws have just retired and are looking to rekindle their relationship with tennis and golf. Perhaps some lessons with a local pro would be a good way to start them off on a healthy habit.
For the new mom looking to get back into shape, a gift certificate to a Pilates studio is a wonderful way to reconnect with your body and get unbelievable results. Joseph Pilates, the creator of this fitness art form, has been quoted saying, “Feel it in 10 sessions, see it in 20 sessions and have a whole new body in 30 sessions.”
If your sister is stressed out and could really use the mind-body benefits of yoga, get her a yoga mat, and accessories like a yoga block and yoga strap. You could also include a helpful introduction to yoga DVD or a gift certificate to a local yoga studio.
For your brother the runner, some cold weather running gear will keep him toasty as he stays on pace. A heart rate monitor and pedometer will also help him gauge his results a little better.
For your aunt with the bad back, perhaps a massage gift certificate will help her feel a little cheerier. You can also give her a foam roller which could help her work out the kinks as well as correct some posture abnormalities.
Joanne Sgro is a Television Fitness Expert, Certified Personal Trainer and Sport Nutritionist. She is Certified in Pilates, Pre-natal/Post-Partum, Yoga and Senior Fitness. She specializes in Weight Loss, Post-Rehab and Post Cancer Training. Joanne's fitness plans and recipes are available globally on her website www.fitnessanswer.com. She resides in the Phoenix, AZ area where she runs her personal training business, Fitness Answer, LLC.