December 07, 2010
Each year I make my list and check it twice, and take out anything that does not support a fit lifestyle. Sometimes, I find something I like so much I get one for myself and 10 for my friends and family! Here are the top four gifts that I have already made staples in my fit life, and recommend to you as well. They include a way to stay fit on the road and have fun at the same time, exercise shoes guaranteed to last, mini-treats to entertain at home without ruining your diet, and something personalized to carry it all in!
Rubberbanditz — $39.95. Work out Anywhere, Anytime! You all know I am a fan of “Fitting in your fitness” and I myself traveled around the world shooting my Fit Travel Workout. So I fell in love with the exercise bands (not tubing) and video of the creator working out in crazy locations in Guatemala. (You must check out his video on the RubberBanditz home page.) His story: After enduring the rigors of a Division 1 collegiate basketball career, Ari Zandman-Zeman followed his dreams by joining the U.S. Peace Corps, where he was posted in Union Island of St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the Eastern Caribbean. He created an inexpensive, sustainable, portable and fun way to work out in the developing nations. Ari is a certified personal trainer and native Alaskan who enjoys working out in out-of-the-ordinary places. The gym is no longer far away or too expensive, because these bands, handles, how-to video, booklet, and accessories let you exercises your freedom to go anywhere and stay in shape. If facing a deployment in a geographically isolated place, these pack light and take up very little space and stay “army strong.” A portion of the proceeds go to set up small exercise band gyms in the developing world and help promote personal health and hygiene on a grassroots level.
My Little Cupcake Pop — $5.95 These are miniature cupcakes you’ll have fun making and don’t need to feel guilty about eating. I made these for my son’s first birthday party, which happened to be two days after Thanksgiving. We were still up to our elbows in leftovers, so no one wanted to stuff their face all over again. You simply grab some oreo cookies, cream cheese, lollipop sticks and the cupcake pop mold, and without any baking, you have festive treats for guests, or even Santa!
Label Me Lisa — $30.00 Personalized totes for the eco-chic girl. Label Me Lisa was founded by Lisa Wolf, a former graphic designer and event planner. In her quest to find a sustainable bag suited to her personality, Lisa created a design that embellishes a girl’s given name, Label Me Lisa’s colorful statements are unique and playful to all. The totes can be used as stylish and green alternatives to plastic bags when stocking up at your local farmer’s market, or as a tote to the gym, work, beach, shopping, and everywhere else a busy girl goes. Some of my favorites are “GRACEful, and “Zen JEN,” but“Naughty Nicole” is my new gym bag for when I teach fitness classes in New York. Create your own nickname or use one that she already created for you!
UK Gear Running Shoes — $130.00 Designed for the US Military. World’s first running shoe built to survive 1,000 miles. I have been wearing these shoes for just a month but already I feel their “structured cushioning” version are stable enough for my fallen arches and work well during my Cardio Sculpt classes, weight training workouts, sprint intervals and long-distance runs. I’m not surprised because UK Gear develops and designs performance footwear in association with the Army Physical Training Corps (APTC) and only when the shoes have been rigorously tested and approved by the APTC, are they given the right to bear the Army’s crossed swords insignia. UK Gear’s products are the first in the world given the right to do this! Their PT-03 model is standard wardrobe for all British recruits and the new ultra-durable PT-1000 is worn by all PTI’s. This year, UK Gear have been given approval from the US Army Running Shoe Program to supply footwear to the US Military. UK Gear shoes mean business and are built to go that extra mile (or thousand miles). I will be wearing my the PT-1000’s and will update you months from now about how they are holding up. I am thinking they will last longer than my knees will!
Fitness - fit it in (to your holiday shopping!)Nikki
NikkiFitness, Nicole Glor, is an AFAA certified NYC personal trainer, group fitness instructor at Crunch in Manhattan and fitness columnist for Military.com. Her workouts focus on multitasking toning and cardio intervals to cut workout time in half and boost metabolism. She has 6 DVDs and downloads on Amazon including the new Hard Core Abs DVD, Fit Travel Workout DVD, Booty Camp, Military Wife Workout, Baby Bootie Camp, and the Beach Bride Destination Wedding Workout. Nikki's workouts have been featured in over 60 national media outlets including Fox and Friends, CNBC, Shape Magazine, Women's Health, Fitness, Girls Life, First, Woman's Day, Martha Stewart Radio, Health Magazine, NEw York 1 TV News, WABC TV, Pilates Style Magazine, Oxygen, Ladies' Home Journal, Parents TV, The New York Daily News, US Air Magazine, The Knot.com, The Washington Post, Military Spouse Magazine, Get Married TV, Destinations Wedding Magazine, and many more. Get her newsletters, music playlists, video demos and DVDs at www.nikkifitness.com