Get-Healthy Gift Guide

on November 29, 2011

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These fun-loving gifts prove that good health doesn’t have to be a chore or a bore.

Words to Sweat By towels

$9.95, wordstosweatby.com Need a little extra encouragement during your workouts? These whimsical towels feature mantras like, “Exert. Hydrate. Repeat,” “Healthy. Strong. Happy” and “Put Your Heart Into It,” as well as famous sayings from pros like Olympic gold medal fencer Mariel Zagunis. The 100 percent cotton towels are available individually, or in gift sets that also include a t-shirt, keychain, snack bag and reusable tote for $35.

GSI Outdoors Camp Cookware

$6.95 - $139.95, gsioutdoors.com For the family who loves outdoor adventures, check out these innovative camping cookware sets. We like the lightweight Crossover Kitchen Kit ($34.95), which includes tongs, a spatula, spice shakers, a cutting board and more in a pouch the size of a fanny pack; and the more substantial Glacier Stainless Dualist ($62.95), a nesting set of a cooking pot, strainer, bowls, mugs and spoons.

OverLand Equipment “Radcliffe” bag

$80, overlandequipment.com This outdoor-lifestyle company makes bags that can take a beating. But that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style. The new Bidwell line of bags features delicate-looking embroidery in a “tree of life” design and bright, feminine colors. A large (11”x13”x7.5”) body made of nylon and leather straps make it sturdy enough to tote the essentials for weekend activities. A purse-sized version is also available.

Sugoi Arm Warmers

$40, sugoi.com It’s hard to work up the motivation to exercise when it’s freezing outside, but some cozy and cheerfully patterned arm warmers can provide some incentive. These are fleece-lined with a stretchy, breathable outer fabric that still allows for high performance. Available in other patterns, like a Sakura flower print and more unisex, graphic designs.

Pro-Lite Gardening Tools

$29.99, radiusgarden.com No one with a green thumb should have to give up a good-for-you gardening habit because of achy muscles and joints. Radius Garden offers a wide range of ergonomic gardening tools, but the Pro-Lite line gets high marks for a lightweight heft, taller length that provides extra leverage and a comfort, non-slip handle. Included in the line are a transplanter, spade, shovel, digging fork, trencher and more.

Water Bottle with Custom Skin

$20-25, miir.com Bored with the same old water bottle? Each purchase of these BPA-free bottles (available in three sizes, with a choice of two lids) comes with one free skin, which you can choose from tons of designs or submit your own. The skins peel off easily, and when you get the itch for a change, you can purchase a new one for $14.99. (They’re dishwasher-safe, too.) For every bottle sold, the company donates $1 toward providing clean water to developing nations.

Hulu Gift Card

$23.97-$47.94, hulu.com A subscription to a television service may not seem like a healthy gift, but Hulu can actually be a great tool for getting fit on the go. The ability to stream on your laptop, iPad or cellphone means that you can access workout videos from Acacia Fitness, Yoga Zone, Gaiam, and The Biggest Loser wherever you are. Or you can take your mobile device to the gym and stream last night’s Modern Family while you’re on the elliptical. Available in 3-month and 6-month subscriptions.

Spark Fund charitable giving

$10-50 a month, sparkventures-sparkfund.orgSometimes the best gift is giving back. Spark Ventures teams up with local organizations in developing nations to provide resources for childrenliving in poverty. For its next project, Spark is giving its donors a vote in what to create: a library of school books, medical supplies, or a poultry farm. Whoever you donate on behalf of will also receive a gift of hand-drawn postcards by Zambian children, and other crafts depending on your donation level.