Gift Guide for Fitness Techies

Seems like everyone has something on their wrist these days to let them know how many steps they need to take before going to bed (and what their quality of sleep will be like once they’re there). Right? Well, there are definitely a couple of those wearable fitness monitors on this gift guide for the fitness techie, but there are also some cool gadgets I bet you didn’t even know existed!

This is my last gift guide in the week-long gift-guide-palooza! If you missed them, go back and check out the gift guides for runners, for yogis, for the healthy foodies and for the gym lovers – all of your healthy, fitness-minded friends must be covered for presents by now, no?

And just a disclosure that this post includes Amazon affiliate links, meaning if you click on one of these awesome gifts for your techie fitness friend and buy it through Amazon, I’ll get a small commission at no cost to you. 

Let’s wrap this gifting week up with the Fine Fit Day Gift Guide for Fitness Techies!

1. Swimming can be meditative. Swimming can also be tough without music. Luckily, there’s now a waterproof iPod shuffle  so you can listen to your tunes while you’re doing laps. Triathletes rejoice!
2. If you’re interested in trying out heart-rate training, this is the gadget for you. This Pear Sports Mobile Training Intelligence System (doesn’t it sound like something the CIA would use??) monitors your heart rate while you work out and offers you a ton of workouts based on your specific heart rate zones.
3. Okay, at first glance you may think this one is ridiculously expensive. But then I want you to think about how much a single spin cycling class costs at a studio, then work out what you’d spend on an annual basis. The Peloton bike is kind of awesome – it’s super high-tech and you can ‘attend’ classes online…live! I tried out Peloton in person this year and it’s a kick-ass workout. This might be splurge-worthy if you really love spinning.
4. JUNE is an amazing piece of technology I hope really takes off. It looks like a cool piece of jewelry, but it actually tracks the UV Index and based on your skin type and UV exposure, it will send you notifications with what SPF you need, when to reapply and whether you need sunglasses or a hat.
5. Especially for the female runners out there, this personal alarm by Vigilant is something you should clip on for every run. Not only does this function as a (very) loud personal alarm, it also has a backup whistle. 
6. Compression technology has been around for post-surgery patients to prevent blood clotting for a while. It makes sense that the increased blood flow it promotes also helps athletes for recovery. Check out Pro Compression’s wide range of compression socks, or try Vim&Vigr’s wool compression socks which are cleverly camouflaged as regular socks!
7. These PUMA Soundchuck speakers are so cool. Lightweight, weather-resistant and Bluetooth enabled means you can take these anywhere and get great sound! 
8. This fitness wearable is described by the maker as “the future of wearables.” The Jawbone UP3 can track heart health, sleep habits and activity. Their online app offers food journaling and a social component. Plus, it’s cute.
9. These hats are Bluetooth enabled. How crazy-awesome is that? Do you ever wonder what a time traveler would think, seeing all these people talking into their hats? Rotibox Wireless Bluetooth hats mean phone calls and music are totally hands-free when you’re outdoors, running, hiking or whatever. Plus, they’ll keep your head warm. #winterbonus
10. Winter can be kind of depressing, with shorter days and wondering if it’s dinner time when it’s actually only 4pm. Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, goes on the upswing in the winter months. Combat SAD with this HappyLight Energy Lamp by Verilux, which simulates the positive effects of sunlight (minus the harmful UV rays).
11. Kinesio taping is definitely popular, especially with runners. Its devotees swear it helps support their muscles, aids in pain relief and can even help drain lactic acid and increase blood flow. The medical studies behind the method have found conflicting results, but let’s face it, the placebo effect cannot be underestimated. For an injured runner, I would definitely recommend trying Kinesiology Tape by Ares.
12. I quit wearing the heart rate monitor straps that came with fitness watches years ago. Chest straps are a pain, they can be uncomfortable and even cause chafing. This Mio LINK Heart Rate Monitor does exactly the same job, but you wear it on your wrist. It’s simple, it’s clever and it will link to just about any fitness tracker you already use so all your info merges seamlessly.
13. For the runner stuck on the treadmill, the RunSocial app will help the miles go by faster (or at least distract you from being indoors). The app combines video with CGI to create hyper-realistic running routes of places – and races – all around the world. The social aspect of the app means you can literally race other people running the same route as you, giving you a little competititve boost for your next treadmill session.
14. Why stop at compression socks? Try the CW-X compression Stabilyx tights for a supported run. I love running in compression tights – they make your legs feel lighter and less fatigued. This pair is particularly cool-looking with the swirly colored lines outlining your muscles.
15. Not great at keeping up with hydration? You are not alone. I can’t be the only person who drinks coffee before water in the morning. The SportLine HydraCoach intelligent water bottle tells you when to drink up and when to pace yourself, based on your personal hydration needs.
16. Want to up your workout selfie game? Upgrade to a GoPro to document the views from your hike, how fast you can ski down that mountain, or the first-person view of crossing a finishing line.
17. It may be old-school tech, but reflection is super important when you’re cycling, walking, running, or doing anything in the low light of the early morning and dusk, or at night. Make yourself seen from a distance with this lightweight Flex Active reflective sports vest.

Are you a workout techie person? I love having my stats from my run on my watch to upload, but I haven’t jumped on the all-day wearable bandwagon yet. I’m definitely tempted, though! What would you want to try from this list?

Thanks for joining me all this week for 5 days of fitness gift guides! I had fun putting them together and I hope you got some great gift ideas, for the holidays, or birthdays, or for yourselves! 😉