Got Gift Cards? Spend Them on These Wellness Tools
January 05, 2018
Whether they’re from your far-away brother-in-law, a client, or your bestie who knows you’re tricky to shop for, we’re sure you’ve got a shiny new stash of gift cards burning a hole in your pocket after the holidays. And while it’s tempting to use them for that trendy seasonal “must-have” accessory, may we suggest using them to support your health and wellness goals? There are plenty of ways to bolster your commitment to health through a little retail therapy.
Pelotons and other in-home cardio gyms are all the rage, but there’s a far cheaper way to get your heart rate up at home. Crossfit gyms are big fans of jumping rope, and many WODs (workouts of the day, for you newbies) include a set of speed jumping. Specially-designed ropes with a rotating handle help you get in more jumps per minute and get that heart rate soaring.
If your barbells and other weights have been gathering dust, maybe it’s time to downsize and invest in a body-weight strength-training set, like a TRX home suspension kit. The wall anchor kits are also available on Amazon, and for less than $100, you can install a total gym into a corner and get toned up at home.
A good foam roller is essential if you’re new to exercise. It’ll help ease sore muscle fascia and allow for a quicker recovery time between workouts.
Make this the time you finally get that Prime membership and gain access to their wide library of fitness videos available for streaming. Here’s a great one to start with.
Lastly, take stock of your current equipment. Give that old yoga mat of yours a good sniff and think about how long you’ve had it. It’s worth it to replace every six to twelve months if you have a regular practice. Bald spots and decreased stickiness are signs that it’s time.
Another way to get more veggies into your day is to invest in a spiralizer. You may be surprised at how many veggies you can turn into noodles: carrots, sweet potatoes, and even beets.
If you’ve resolved to commit yourself to meal prep and avoiding eating unhealthy meals away from home, invest in some high-quality glass containers to help with portion control and taking food on the go.
With water bottle refilling stations popping up in more and more places (like airports and sports and music arenas), make sure you always have one on hand. We prefer one that’s around 22 ounces, perfect for throwing in your bag or backpack.
Once you’re all kitted out with your new gear, you may experience an unexpected benefit: It’ll provide an extra bit of motivation to commit to your wellness goals, even when your busy week makes working out or cooking at home seem tricky.
- Sarah Bossenbroek
Gift Yourself the Fitness Tools
In terms of home gym equipment, you don’t need to invest in large, expensive equipment that takes up tons of space. A set of portable resistance bands will give you a lot of bang for your buck. We recommend two different levels of resistance bands, in case you find that one is not the right level of resistance for you (too hard or too easy). Or, buy two different types: a set of flat resistance bands to work your lower body and tubular ones for upper body workouts.Pelotons and other in-home cardio gyms are all the rage, but there’s a far cheaper way to get your heart rate up at home. Crossfit gyms are big fans of jumping rope, and many WODs (workouts of the day, for you newbies) include a set of speed jumping. Specially-designed ropes with a rotating handle help you get in more jumps per minute and get that heart rate soaring.
If your barbells and other weights have been gathering dust, maybe it’s time to downsize and invest in a body-weight strength-training set, like a TRX home suspension kit. The wall anchor kits are also available on Amazon, and for less than $100, you can install a total gym into a corner and get toned up at home.
A good foam roller is essential if you’re new to exercise. It’ll help ease sore muscle fascia and allow for a quicker recovery time between workouts.
Make this the time you finally get that Prime membership and gain access to their wide library of fitness videos available for streaming. Here’s a great one to start with.
Lastly, take stock of your current equipment. Give that old yoga mat of yours a good sniff and think about how long you’ve had it. It’s worth it to replace every six to twelve months if you have a regular practice. Bald spots and decreased stickiness are signs that it’s time.
Gift Yourself the Fuel
Of course, all that time spent in your newly kitted home gym is for naught if you’re just going to overindulge after your workout (thank you, Starbucks gift cards!). Keep on track with your goals by doing more of your own food prep in the New Year, and get some tools to help you. If you’ve been searching for a fast and easy way to get more nutrients into each meal, look for a Nutribullet or a Ninja and whirl up veggies into your smoothies.Another way to get more veggies into your day is to invest in a spiralizer. You may be surprised at how many veggies you can turn into noodles: carrots, sweet potatoes, and even beets.
If you’ve resolved to commit yourself to meal prep and avoiding eating unhealthy meals away from home, invest in some high-quality glass containers to help with portion control and taking food on the go.
With water bottle refilling stations popping up in more and more places (like airports and sports and music arenas), make sure you always have one on hand. We prefer one that’s around 22 ounces, perfect for throwing in your bag or backpack.
Once you’re all kitted out with your new gear, you may experience an unexpected benefit: It’ll provide an extra bit of motivation to commit to your wellness goals, even when your busy week makes working out or cooking at home seem tricky.
- Sarah Bossenbroek
