10 gift ideas for an active holiday

Next time you’re out buying presents for your loved ones, don’t forget to bring this list. What could be better than giving your friends and family the gift of fitness?

1. Philips ActionFit Sports headset (US$20)

Know someone who can't stand the thump-thump disco beats at their gym? A good set of sports earbuds will take care of that.

The Philips ActionFit is a durable, waterproof and washable headset designed with hooks that go around your ears to keep the earbuds in place even when bouncing around. The headset also comes without the hooks, if you find them uncomfortable.

Perfect for: Exercisers who like to listen to their own music while they work out, and especially bike and running enthusiasts.

Alternatively: What you want is a solid headset because the wear and tear can be heavy, so go for a reliable brand. Sennheiser OMX 680 Sports Earphones (US$28) is one option and a cheaper model is the Skullcandy Chop Earhook (US$15).

2. Tone Fitness kettlebell (US$30)

Kettlebell training is effective exercise for office-bound people because it trains areas that are weakened by sitting for long stretches, like the core, lower back and shoulders.

This Tone Fitness kettlebell is cement filled and vinyl coated for better grip and comes in 5, 10 and 15 pound weights.

Perfect for: People who like working out at home and have some experience with lifting weights. Not recommended for people with back injuries.

Alternatively: Get a whole set of kettlebells for a wider variety of exercises. This set from Marcy comes with 5, 10, 15 and 20 pound weights.

Related: Our exercise library features videos of kettlebell training.

3. Trigger Point foam roller (US$50)

Know someone who suffers from achy muscles after working out? Foam rollers are highly effective for soothing muscle pain and are used to release the ‘hot spots’ in the connective tissue surrounding a muscle.

Trigger Point foam rollers are ribbed in order to reach even deeper into the muscles and comes in 2 densities, grey (harder) and purple (firmer).

Perfect for: Anyone who struggles with sore muscles from marathon-runners to computer slumpers.

Alternatively: If you’re buying for someone who is new to rollers, give them a softer version to begin with. Have a look at physiosupplies.com for a wide range of rollers.

4. Mylec All Purpose Pop Up Goal (US$60)

Does your partner still think he's got a shot at that midfield position at Liverpool? Don't crush his dreams just yet, let him hone his finishing skills with this goal target from Mylec.

It's important for parents to be active with their kids, and this game encourages exactly that by making shot placing a competition. Just make sure you let the kids try a few times too. When the technique is perfected, the goal can be changed into a normal goal for a mini game of football.

Perfect for: Adults with high hopes and most kids.

Alternatively: If fancy ball-placing technique is not the way you roll, how about the Pugg foldable goals (US$70)? They're easy to disassemble to take to the park and weigh next to nothing.

5. Polar FT4 heart rate monitor (US$73)

Finnish Polar has been the market leader in heart rate monitors for years, in part due to the robust quality and ease of use of their products. A heart rate monitor is an excellent way of precisely monitoring a workout, so you can use the session more efficiently.

The FT4 displays heart rate, calories burned and improvements in fitness over time. It comes in 4 colours (pink, red, brown and silver) and the chest strap is included in the price.

Perfect for: Anyone who exercises regularly or needs to see progress in order to be motivated. A heart rate monitor measures your calorie burn more accurately than other tools.

Alternatively: Garmin Forerunner 210 (US$249.99) – the Forerunner 210 has all the functionality of the FT4 plus some extras, like GPS tracking (so you can track your runs) and upload of data to Garmin's own sharing site, Garmin Connect. The most stylish monitors by far comes from Suunto, whose starter model M1 (US$70) is also one of the cheapest on the market.

6. Timbuk2 Scrunchie gym bag (US$80)

Nice gym gear can be the difference between showing up or staying at home, so inspire that special someone with this super-practical Timbuk2 bag.

The Timbuk2 Scrunchie bags are roomy enough for all your gym gear and can easily carry your yoga mat too. Pockets on the side makes for quick access to your mobile and it has a key tether to keep you from locking yourself out.

Perfect for: Mostly for her, but it comes in man colours too: green, purple, black, and dark grey.

Alternatively: Try the Gaiam bags – especially the Metro model (US$60) for gym and yoga. It has the same features as the Timbuk2 bag as well as a vented compartment for those smelly shoes.

7. Asics Gel-Blur33 (US$85)

The Asics Gel-Hyper is a lightweight and flexible shoe that gives your foot more freedom than a conventional running shoe and is good for both walking and running. Shopping for someone who is curious about the new barefoot running shoes? This is a good starter, as the Gel-Blurs offers cushioning.

Perfect for: Style-conscious exercisers and runners who prefer a lighter shoe with less support.

Alternatively: Vibram Five Fingers (US$110) is a serious barefoot running shoe, as it is basically just a glove for your feet, offering no cushioning or protection at all. Only for experienced runners.

Related: Barefoot running shoes: fad or fantastic

8. Rudy Project Exowind Sunglasses (US$120)

Sunglasses are an absolute necessity for anyone exercising outdoors – be sure to protect your partner's eyes against those nasty UV rays.

Rudy Project is an eyewear brand that has become synonymous with sports sunglasses in the last couple of years, and the Exowind is a versatile model that is great for both running and cycling. They fit snugly around the face and won’t fog even in the most strenuous circumstances.

Perfect for: Rudy Project have sunglasses for both him and her. Most models are very sporty but they also have a few casual pairs.

Alternatively: All major sports brands make sunnies these days, but if you're looking for something quite different, check out the Adidas Evil Eye (US$150) range that won the prestigious 2011 Red Dot Design Award.

9. Xbox Kinect bundle (US$300) with Your Shape Fitness Evolved 2012 (US$50)

Kinect was the big thing for Christmas last year but the good games are only coming out now. Xbox Kinect is a system that scans your body and mimics it on the screen, making it a great tool for home exercise.

Your Shape Fitness Evolved 2012 includes training sessions with martial arts, dance and boot camp, and can even correct you when you are doing something wrong. Other games that make exercise seriously funny are EA Sports Active, Zumba Fitness and Just Dance 3.

Perfect for: Anybody, really. Exercise video games provide hours of fun both for people starting to exercise and for those who have some experience under their belt.

Alternatively: Nintendo Wii (US$200) with Zumba Fitness 2 (US$40) and EA Sports Active 2 (US$40). The Wii has been a huge success for Nintendo and this Christmas several exciting exercise games have been added to the already extensive library of training games.

Related: The truth about Wii and weight loss

10. Weekend at health retreat (US$500 and skyward)

A weekend away to yourself must be the ultimate gift for anyone, and health and fitness retreats are now popping up everywhere. Prices vary depending on location, facilities and length of stay, but health retreats don't come cheap. Expect to fork out at least US$500 per night for a full package.

A stay at the highly rated Chiva-Som health resort near Hua Hin in Thailand, for example, starts with a physical consultation, around which a personal program is designed according to your needs. Daily massages, 3 luxury meals and every conceivable therapy and health activity is available for around US$2200 for a 3-night stay.

Perfect for: Considering the prices, someone you really, really love.

Alternatively: Rent a house in the country for a weekend, bring bikes and all the healthy food you need and create your own fitness retreat with friends or family. Go for forest walks, bike rides and make it an active holiday.