The holiday season is fast approaching and finding the perfect gift for the athlete on your list can be quite a challenge! The sheer volume of fitness gadgets, gear, and gizmos is enough to overwhelm even the savviest of shoppers! But fear not. Take a deep breath and relax because I”™ve compiled a list of incredibly cool gifts for your favorite fitness enthusiast. Got great ideas of your own? Post ‘em here…Santa can always use a little extra help!
BIKE TUNE-UP - If the cyclist on your list is a recreational rider or isn”™t particularly skilled in bike maintenance, wrap up a gift certificate for a bike tune-up. The price typically runs about $50.
iMUFFS - What”™s exercise without music? Wireless workouts will be appreciated by any athlete! Wi-Gear”™s new iMuffs are sleek, wireless headphones 
designed to work with iPod, Bluetooth and Skype. Check them out at www.wi-gear.com.
REFUELING BASKET - Put together a basket filled with everything from Clif Bars to Gu packets. Throw in some homemade trail mix and a few pairs of new socks and you”™re golden.
RUDY PROJECT RYDON PERFORMACE SUNGLASSES - Rydon”™s come in a wide array of lenses with polarization, color, and prescription options. They are 
lightweight, anti-fog, anti-slip, and provide maximum UV protection. Find them at cycling stores or online at www.E-Rudy.com.
PERSONAL TRAINING/GYM MEMBERSHIP - Create a winter fitness package that includes personal training sessions, massage and even tanning! Many gyms offer a three month membership which is perfect for the off-season months. If your athlete is already a gym member, consider buying a punch card for yoga or Pilates classes since many gyms charge extra for these. Bundle the package in a spiffy new gym bag.
GET THEM OFF THE COUCH — If your friend or loved one doesn”™t exercise, they may actually resent a gift of fitness. So how do you get them started on a healthy program? Make a gift certificate that reads, “I”™ll meet you every Saturday morning for a 60 minute walk.” Your time is the most valuable gift they will ever receive.
SOCCER BALL CONTACT LENSES — Has a coach ever told you to keep your eye on the ball? It would be impossible NOT to with these contact lenses! The manufacturer, German optician Stephanie Berndt, produced these visual aids to celebrate the World Cup of Soccer. www.cococontacts.com/search_results.php?keyword=soccer.
PRIVATE CYCLING COACH — Hire an expert. Even if only for a month, there”™s nothing like working out one-on-one with a professional coach to vastly improve a rider”™s ability at any level.
YOGA MAT WITH AN ATTITUDE — In the sea of ubiquitous yoga mats, inject a dash of humor in your practice with a Photo Series mat 
by Plank Designs, Inc. Featured in Shape, Women”™s Health, and a gazillion other magazines, you”™ll find fun yogi gear at www.plankdesigns.com.
PROFESSIONAL SKIN CARE — An athlete”™s skin is exposed to sun and environmental pollutants that can damage your skin. Turn back the years with a collection of skin care products by Obagi®. According to Joy White, skin care specialist and half marathoner at Belle Meade Dermatology in Nashville, Tennessee, Obagi® Foaming Gel Cleanser, Healthy Skin SPF35, and IS Clinical Vitamin C+E are products that flat out work. Joy also recommends a water resistant sunscreen such as Blue Lizard Sport if you sweat. Purchase products through your dermatologist or online skincare sites.
INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS — Education is the gift that keeps on giving. For the Indoor Cycling Instructor on your list, go to www.globalride.net for some of the best teaching DVD”™s ever produced. “Climbing Sufferage in Italy” and “Speed & Power in Italy” are both exceptional.
CARBON DIOXIDE TIRE REPAIR KIT — Priced around $10, the beauty of this gift is that everyone gets a flat tire at some point in time and this gadget will inflate a tire a flash! No more struggling with a small frame pump to get enough pressure in a road tire. Pick up a few spare cartridges as well; they don”™t go bad. Kits are small enough to fit in a jersey pocket.
EBOOK: Keep It Real In You Indoor Cycling Classes - If you haven't yet added this ebook to your cyber library, then you might want to put it on your own Christmas list, or buy it for your favorite co-instructor. It's one of those "must-haves" for all Indoor Cycling Instructors!
ICI/PRO TEE SHIRT — Hey, John! Where”™s the ICI/PRO stuff? We want hats, sweatshirts, tees, and even socks with this cool logo. C”™mon, guys, let”™s inundate John”™s mailbox with requests and maybe he”™ll get the hint…..post away…..you have my permission….hehehehe…….They're coming soon Barbara. John
Originally posted 2009-12-02 19:26:02.
Skilled at interpreting the needs of each client, a variety of consulting services can be tailored to meet your vision, budget and timeline.Whether spicing up a corporate franchise or launching an upscale boutique, Barbara and her team of experts will ensure your studio is the most popular ride in town.
Unlike traditional architects or interior designers, Barbara directs a successful
60-bike program and combines over a decade of teaching experience with cutting-edge design skills to create safe, versatile studios that accommodate a variety of ride styles.With an eye for details and cost-saving opportunities, her consulting services more than pay for themselves.
As a columnist and presenter for REX Roundtables for Executives, World Spinning and Sports Conference, MindBody, Club Industry Magazine, Mad Dogg Athletics and Indoor Cycle Instructor Pro, Barbara is regarded as a trusted leader in the industry.In addition to studio design, she offers class building workshops, grand opening rides and special event fundraisers.
Clients include:
■ Miramont Lifestyle Fitness, Fort Collins, CO
■ Gold’s Gym, Atlanta, GA
■ Lipscomb University, Nashville, TN
■ Grit Cycle, Costa Mesa, CA
■ Mad Dogg Athletics, Venice Beach, CA
■ KOR180, Austin, TX
■ U.S. Army, El Paso, TX
■ Body Boutique, Lawrence, KS
■ Velo Vite, Montreal
■ Pedal Studio, UK
■ Paul Venning Fitness, UK
■ BodyCycle, Philadelphia, PA
■ Surge Cycling, St. Louis Park, MN
■ Half Moon Resort, Jamaica
■ U.S. President Jimmy Carter
■ Special Olympics, Vermont and Georgia
■ Cancer Coalition of Georgia
Contact Information
Email: Barbara@indoorcycledesign.com
Web: www.indoorcycledesign.com
Social: LinkedIn / Facebook
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Wow! Those are some great ideas…I was just thinking about what to get some of the roadies in my class- now I have some ideas! 🙂
However, where I hit the “gift-giver’s block” is when I have a few ladies in my class who want to lose the extra pounds, but are not gym rats. (moms on the go, older singles, etc). What I’ve found to be a huge help to them in enhancing their goals is to give them encouraging material. One of my all time favorite books, Tosca Reno’s “Eat-Clean” cookbook is amazing and makes preparing meals that are nutritious a piece of cake! Also, BSN’s Jennifer Nicole Lee (has a website….) has a few great books out for those moms looking to dive deeper into fitness…JNL is a success story herself.
And, finally. Who doesn’t love stocking stuffers??!! Some of my all time favorite treats to fill the fitness lover’s stocking are: lifting straps, protein bars (be mindful of sugar counts), electrolyte packets, new earphones for a ipod, sunblock on a keychain…!!! (makes it easy to clip on a bike!) AND…last, but not least, my personal favorite: SOCKS!!! I am one to say that every single time I get ready for the gym- I am in a sock search!
So, Barbara, I love your ideas- those are seriously great, and like I said earlier- I think I now have the conclusion the puzzle of what to get a few of my guys….and, maybe you can take of some of my tips for the people in the class who are not what we’d call…”extreme cyclists.”
Thanks so much! God Bless and everyone have a safe holiday- and remember, one piece of cake is enough.
Believe,
Katherine
I love these ideas. Too bad I don’t celebrate Christmas. Will they also work for Hanukkah?
Getting a non-fit person off the couch and into a fit lifestyle has to be the most valuable of any gift we can give. It tells our friends or loved ones that we care enough about them that we want them around a lot longer.
Some other ideas for the athlete:
– a heart rate monitor.
– a GPS wrist watch (also known by the brand name Garmin) for runners and bikers.
– yoga classes; so many athletes are always go, go, go and don’t take the time for mind and body experiences like yoga, plus it restores flexibility.
I give all of my riders a year end gift to thank them for their support. In the past I’ve given out water bottles and CDs of various music. I’ve heard someone gave out thongs with their Indoor Cycling brand’s logo on them. I’m curious if other instructors have any creative ideas for year end gifts that won’t break the bank with 100 riders.