Transcript: 17 Fitness Gifts That Actually Get Used | Expert Recommendations for Every Budget

What's up, you guys? Famous Ashley Grant here. Welcome to More Movement, Please, the podcast where I hope to inspire you to move your body more by sharing my story and occasionally the stories of others. Let's get into it. So the holidays are coming up fast, and I know a lot of you are probably scratching your heads trying to figure out what to get for that fitness enthusiast in your life. Maybe it's your workout buddy or your spouse who's always at the gym, or maybe it's something that you want to drop hints about to other people that you want to get for yourself.

I get it. I've been there. Well, I've got you covered today because I reached out to fitness experts and thought leaders and asked them what their favorite fitness related product was that someone should purchase for a fitness enthusiast this holiday season. And you guys, they came back with some pretty solid recommendations. So here's what they said. First off, I have to say, if I say your name wrong, I'm so sorry about that. But these were things that were sent to me via text. So I don't actually know the correct pronunciation of all these names. So I'm going to do my best. Bear with me. First up is Julio with Invigor Medical. He suggested the Polar Loop. And here's what I love about this recommendation.

Julio says it's a simple band that tracks your steps, activity, calories, and sleep. But here's the kicker. Unlike some other devices like Whoop, you don't need a monthly subscription to get your own data. You pay once and you're done. No recurring fees eating into your budget. The Loop. It gives you a clear picture of how much you actually move in a day, and Julio says it's comfortable with solid battery life, and it has an app that shows if you're really as active as you think you are. I mean, that reality check alone might be worth it, right? Next up is Brian with Motive Training. He recommends the Soulmate Kit from the Foot Collective. Now, this one's interesting because foot strength and mobility are things most of us completely ignore. But Brian says they influence everything, how you stand, how you lift, how you walk, and how your body manages force. The Soulmate is simple, effective,

and fits right into your daily routine. It helps wake up those small muscles in your feet and improve balance and control. And Brian says that Heidi from that barefoot coach introduced him to it, and it's been a game changer for him in his training. If you want to give someone something that actually improves how they move and feel, this just might be it. Next up is Hans with Happy V. He suggests a compact massage gun for recovery.

And y 'all, I can definitely attest to this. I love my massage gun. I cannot stress enough how important recovery is. And Hans says that these percussive therapy devices, they work like mini massage guns. And his team has actually observed that consistent recovery practices lead to decreased muscle pain and better long -term commitment to fitness programs. The compact design makes them easy to carry, so you can do recovery sessions anywhere. Hans does mention it's best to use these under the guidance of qualified trainers or clinicians, since proper targeting requires some expertise. But for recovery, quickly, for me, it's a solid pick. I absolutely love my massage gun. Next up is Nick Rogers with RealRecall.ai. He has a pretty cool suggestion, in my opinion, and that is a 360 -degree sports camera. Why in the world would you want to give someone who's working out a sports camera? Well, Nick says

that this changes how you record your workouts. You can film your entire training session and check your form, cut cool clips for TikTok or Instagram, all the things. And if you're tracking progress and making content, this could end up being your most used gift. I mean, how many times have you wanted to see what your form actually looks like during a workout? Please just do me a favor. Don't be that guy or girl that records yourself whenever you're around other people at the gym because there's nothing more annoying than someone who's filming themselves in front of other people because nobody wants to be in your video. They just don't. So please don't.

Anyway, for someone who actually wants to film themselves, it could be a great gift for that person. Next up is Chad with North Shore Sauna. He recommends something that I actually wasn't expecting, and this is recovery sleepwear. It's one I've never really thought about. But he talks about sleepwear that's made from infrared and moisture -regulating material that actually supposedly helps your body recover from long training days.

He said that he found a tensile sleepwear set in Japan and was surprised at just how much deeper his sleep seemed after those intense strength sessions. Chad says that people invest in gadgets such as trackers and massagers and supplements, but they often will overlook the one thing that actually makes a difference over time, and that is quality recovery. Good sleepwear regulates your temperature and minimizes that toss and turn cycle. You wake up, supposedly, without stiffness. I kind of think that's brilliant, and if anybody wants to get me a set of this sleepwear, I'll give you my address. Hit me up.

Next is Mimi Nugent with Caffe Lee. She is all about the soft foam roller from OPTP. Now, there are lots of soft foam rollers that you can get, but Mimi says that she uses hers for Pilates, warm -ups before running, and yoga. She initially thought about suggesting just giving someone a massage gift certificate, but she says a foam roller is more convenient in the long run because you can use it at home, on the go, or even at the gym. Both provide muscle recovery benefits and improve blood circulation, but with the foam roller, you create your own kind of muscle care.

Mimi typically targets her lower body after high -intensity workouts, or she'll use it to massage her calves for better running performance. And I should probably check this out for myself, because y 'all, I know I've complained about it before, but I get the worst, the worst calf pain after some of my workouts. Next up is Runbo Lee with Magic Hour. He also recommends getting a 360 sports camera. He said that it showed him how capturing a move from every angle helps sports athletes and just fitness peoples in general spot small details that they would otherwise miss. Plus, he says that it lets you create videos that get your community excited. It's not just about improving your skills. It's all about sharing your full picture. Next up is Josiah with Plasthetics Plastic Surgery Marketing. He gave a client a Fitbit charge over the holidays and said that it got them thinking differently about their

health. The EDA sensor doesn't just count steps, it shows how your body reacts to stress. That one feature started new habits for their client. Josiah says that it's sleek enough for everyday wear, but it's not like some bulky sports watch. If you're looking for something that handles both fitness and stress management, Josiah says that this one actually does the job. It's specifically the Fitbit Charge 6. And I'll leave a link in the show notes to everything that I'm talking about here in this episode. Next is Rob with Osprey. And y 'all, I have to first tell you, full disclosure, I love my Osprey backpack. I used it whenever I backpacked through Europe a few years ago. It was absolutely fantastic.

I absolutely love my Osprey backpack. And Rob, I'm going to hit you up because I would love to get some more backpacks. It is a fantastic quality backpack. And he says it's the ultimate gift for any fitness lover who enjoys the outdoors. And he does admit he's biased because, hello, he works there. But whether it's hiking, trail running, or a weekend in nature, a properly fitted backpack, it really can make a world of difference.

It distributes weight evenly, and it makes it easier to stay hydrated and prepared. If the outdoors and staying active are important to the person that you're giving a gift to, a quality backpack that will last a lifetime is truly a great choice. And again, I got to say, whenever I used a backpacking through Europe, it was really helpful. The way that it felt on our backs, it didn't feel so much like we were carrying something heavy. It was absolutely wonderful. Next up is Jan with Camping La Salle. He runs a campsite by the GR 34 trail, and he sees it constantly that there are guests with hydration packs, and they have a much better time when they have a hydration pack. They can pull out their camera for a photo without stopping to dig for a water bottle, and it just keeps the day flowing. So he highly recommends getting a hydration pack.

And hey, you can even put it in your Osprey backpack. Rob, seriously, you got to hit me up. We got to talk. And here's the thing. If you're looking for a gift for a hiker, having a hydration pack could be something that... the hiker in your life will actually use every single time they go out. Next is Brandon with Cellphones .ca. He says that the Apple Watch Ultra is the one he'd actually buy for himself. He's tested out all kinds of different tech for years, and this one, he says, tracks his heart rate and his sleep.

Plus, you can see text without pulling out your phone. The setup was a bit of a headache, he admits, but... Now it works so well with his iPhone that he says he doesn't even take his phone on his runs anymore. If you want to get serious about fitness without going off the grid, he says this is the watch to get. Next is Andre with Medicaid. He goes with the Garmin Fitness Watch as his top pick. He uses the Garmin wearables and he finds that their health insights are valuable for tracking training and recovery. And he also feels confident in their data handling as a regulated company. And this really matters whenever you're worried about privacy and data security. And honestly, that's something we should all be thinking about more. And P .S., I know this episode is a little bit longer than most of the normal episodes that I've been sharing, but I kind of feel like because it's, you know, it's about the holidays,

right? We got to talk about all these fun Christmas presents. That's why I'm still sharing it. Next up is Amy with Interactive Counseling, and she keeps it simple and says that you should get a really good yoga mat. Amy works in mental health, and she's seen it so many times that people with a new mat, suddenly they're getting excited about doing their morning stretches at home. It helps them unwind. And if you find one that's just comfy and won't let your feet slip, it can be something that will really help you do more than just get your stretch on. Next up is Tlaib with Same Day Supplements. He is an NASM certified nutrition coach, and his favorite gift for any runner is a Garmin 4Runner. He says that it's the one tool that actually changed how he trains.

The GPS accuracy, heart rate tracking, and recovery insights make every run more intentional. And he says it's not just about go out and hope it feels good. When he travels and switches routes, the 4Runner actually keeps his pacing honest and helps him stay consistent even on the days that he has low motivation. He also says that the battery life, it's so much better than most smartwatches. So you're not having to charge it before every single run that you do. Next is Rory with... Equipoise coffee. I think that's right. I think that's how you say it. I'm not actually sure. But anyway, this coffee company, he recommends getting a durable insulated water bottle with tracking markers for daily hydration goals. And I actually really agree with this one because I've talked about it in previous episodes. You've got to stay hydrated. It supports your energy, your recovery, and your overall performance. And for fitness enthusiasts that

have a high quality portable water bottle, it'll actually encourage you to be consistent and mindful throughout your workout. And giving someone a tool that actually promotes healthy habits, it shows thoughtfulness and it helps recipients maintain both fitness and daily wellness routines. Okay, two more and then we're done, I swear. Next is Paul with Higher Fitness. He swears by resistance bands. He says that the good resistance bands are the game changers. They're what people use when they can't get to the gym. And I can attest to this. I've actually used resistance bands everywhere from, you know, While I'm standing in my kitchen to in a hospital room whenever I was watching my mom recover from surgery. So he says that resistant bands are really important because it's the one thing that you can actually stick with because you can use them anywhere and get a full body workout. They're a great

starting point for anyone who's serious about working out at home. Finally, last but not least, is Dan with Tress Wellness, and he picks adjustable dumbbells like the Bowflex Select Tex. Dan says consistency usually breaks down when schedules tighten and the gym feels like a trek. But these weights, they bring an entire dumbbell rack into your home or your office while occupying almost zero floor space. You get a full range of resistance without cluttering your living space, making it easy to get some quick reps in between calls or other tasks. They ensure that you'll never miss a small weighted workout. So there you have it, guys. 17 incredible recommendations from real fitness experts. Everything from wearables and recovery tools to simple but effective equipment that can transform someone's fitness journey.

Whether you're shopping for a seasoned athlete or someone who's just starting out on their fitness journey, there's something for everyone, in my opinion, on this list. And the thing is, the best fitness gift is the one that's actually going to get used. So think about the person that you're shopping for. What would make their fitness journey actually easier? What would help them stay consistent? And what would they actually be excited to use? And hey, if you're that fitness enthusiast that's dropping hints for your own wish list, there is no shame in that game. I do it all the time. Onwards and upwards, my friends.

Have you worked out today?