Looking for gift ideas for the holidays?  How about something that will burn calories, improve health, and maybe even extend life?  Anything that gets people moving has all these benefits. 

No Cost

• Create a gift certificate – Write out a unique card that invites a friend for a walk, bike ride, or other physical activity that you can do together.
• Walk an elderly neighbor’s dog – This can be a big help to your neighbor and the dog.
• Clean up a park– For those who are environmentally focused, burn calories while volunteering your time to pick up trash, repair trails, and other park maintenance activities.
• Start a family fun day tradition – Make a commitment to go for a walk, play in a park, or take a hike once a week, once a month or whatever time interval works for your family.  You’ll look forward to burning calories together.
• Burn a physical activity CD – Put your favorite upbeat music on a CD for your walking, biking, running friend.

Low Cost – less than $30

• Do a local fun run – Treat a friend or family member to the entrance fee for a walk or run for charity.
• Give a step counter – research shows that step counters work to help people get moving.  Check out an earlier blog on step counters.
• Give tickets for educational activities where you walk – zoos, museums, and nature centers are places where you can learn and burn (calories).
• Give an exercise video/DVD – there are hundreds if not thousands of videos/DVDs for just about any exercise activity.  Click here for a link to a exercise video clearinghouse.
• Give a physical activity book – yes, reading is a sedentary activity, but books can be a great way for you to help a friend learn how to get active or fun ways to stay active.  If you need a suggestion for the former, check out Active Living Every Day, a book that is based on research conducted at The Cooper Institute and has been used in hundreds of communities around the country.

More Cost

You can obviously spend a lot more money on exercise equipment. Sales on treadmills, elliptical trainers, stationary bikes, and other equipment abound as the  time for New Year’s resolutions approaches.  But to make sure it is money well spent, heed these tips:  

• Know your motivations – Are you giving the gift because your friend or family member said they wanted it or because you think they should exercise more?  If the latter, reconsider your gift selection.  Your good intentions could end up being an expensive clothes hanger.
• Make sure it fits –Find out more about the intended user’s fitness goals, physical activity interests, home layout, and other relevant information.
• Do your homework – Once you have narrowed it down to the type of equipment, check out the consumer magazines for reviews and ratings.  Read the user discussion boards for signs of problems.  Talk to the sales person in the stores.  Find out all you can about the warranty and the store policies on returns or repairs.
• Try it out – Giving exercise equipment as a surprise gift is not a good idea.  Mainly, because the user should try it out before getting it home.  What might feel right to you could be totally wrong for the user.   So take them with you when you go shopping.

What ideas do you have for giving the gift of exercise – and calorie burning – this year?