Forgo ties and impersonal gift cards and give your loved ones a dose of fitness instead. These 14 presents will keep recipients healthy through summer and beyond
By: Mary Squillace and Hollis Templeton
Most adults fall short of the recommended two to three daily servings of fruits and veggies, and college students fare even worse—the average co-ed doesn’t even eat one serving a day, according to a 2011 University of Oregon study. Setting your busy dad or soon-to-be college student up with a juicer can help pack practically a full day’s worth of produce into one glass. Like the name implies, Mega Mouth juicers ($200 to $250, omegajuicers.com) have extra-large feeding chutes that can handle large chunks of apple, beet, carrot, and celery as well as whole fruits. They’ll be mixing up beverages brimming with vitamins in a snap.
More: Build twice the muscle in half the time (and burn as many calories as with workouts that last twice as long) with the Men's Health 15-Minute Abs, Arms & Chest Workouts DVD.
Your grad is going places—so help her get there in style. These affordable, lightweight, and ergonomically designed bikes from Specialized ($500-$2,100) come in handy for zipping across campus and can double as racing bikes. Don’t forget to protect your investment with a bike lock.
More: 8 Delicious Cycling Destinations
For the dad or grad who already owns a set of wheels, the iBike Powerhouse ($279, ibikesports.com) can provide the motivation needed to return to the road. The gadget turns an iPhone or iPod Touch into a cycling dashboard that charts intervals and measures speed, cadence, and distance on a ride. The training plans that go along with the Powerhouse were designed by cycling coach Hunter Allen and target a variety of fitness goals, like weight loss and boosting cardio endurance. A weather-resistant, shockproof case protects iPhones and iPods from the elements.
Print these! Free posters to inspire your summer slimdown
Indulge your grill-happy dad by having produce and grass-fed meat delivered straight to his door. Grass-fed is the better way to bring home the bacon: compared to grain-fed, it may have less total fat, more heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, and more antioxidant vitamins. Check out eatwild.com to find a participating farm near you. Don’t forget about fruits and veggies: set your father up to cook balanced meals by enrolling him in a weekly community supported agriculture program, or CSA. Find one in your city by visiting localharvest.org/csa.
Search: How can I make grilled vegetables more interesting?
Dad will feel like a pro when he hits the links with a sleek-looking TaylorMade R11S Driver ($399). The new model may be most adjustable driver around—its 3D tuning capabilities allow the golfer to independently fine-tune the loft, face angle, and flight path—so Dad can start whittling away at his handicap.
Related: Get in Golfing Shape
Skip greasy grilling marinades and pull together a basket of barbeque essentials made with all-natural ingredients. Start with Pineapple Habanero Jerk BBQ Bath from Sweetwater Spice Co. ($10 for 16 ounces). It’s a fat-free way to spice up grilled pork, poultry, or seafood and has only 2 calories per tablespoon. Gary & Kit’s Napa Valley Mustards ($21 for three 7.5-oz jars) are made by the creators of the Clif Bar and come in three flavors, each infused with Sauvignon Blanc (5 calories per teaspoon). Dulcet Cuisine’s Sweet Orange Chile or Peppery Moroccan gourmet ketchup ($5 for 14 ounces) adds a kick of flavor to burgers for 10 to 15 calories per tablespoon. All are available at AbesMarket.com.
Depending on his level of activity one of these two devices will motivate Dad to keep moving. The Via Active pedometer ($35) monitors distance, calories burned, and steps taken (challenge him to hit 10,000 a day). At the end of the day, he can just plug the gizmo into a computer to see his progress toward his fitness goals. If he’s ready to hit the ground running, outfit him with the GPS Runner instead ($110). It’ll keep track of his pace, distance, and time as he runs.
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Give the thrill-seeker in your life the opportunity to capture his most extreme moments—in HD. This waterproof camera ($299) is wearable and mountable, perfect for taking along on mountain biking, skiing, or even skydiving adventures. You can pick one up at Sports Authority.
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Whether pops is heading to yoga or hitting the driveway to shoot some hoops, he’ll feel great doing it in these shorts ($68). They feature a tailored fit, zippered pockets, and a comfort-fit waistband. And since drawstring pants seem to the unofficial uniform of college kids, these would be perfect for your University-bound son as well (Zobha also offers plenty of comfy and stylish fitness clothes for the female co-ed).
Puma’s latest line of men’s sneakers was inspired by sprinter Usain Bolt, the world’s fastest man, and includes shoes specific to a variety of sports. For dad, opt for the Faas Trac evoSPEED (puma.com/evospeed), Puma’s new golf shoe that offers traction and stability but still feels light and flexible on the foot. New grads will appreciate the Bolt evoSPEED Runner, a lightweight training shoe with breathable mesh that’s perfect for summer runs.
Summer 2012 Running Shoe Guide
The lenses in Oakley’s RaderLock Path sport sunglasses ($300, oakley.com) can be swapped out depending on the environment, making them the perfect gift for the dad or grad who enjoys several different outdoor activities. The 12 lens tints available for the do-it-all specs range from those that are best for running or cycling in bright sun to those designed for skiing or snowboarding in low light. There’s even a lens that brings out the definition in grass and optimizes vision during a game of golf.
While a hard-working dad or grad may be inclined to lounge on the beach this summer, an active vacation adds a sense of adventure. Consider a cycling tour through California, Italy, Spain, or Switzerland (visit breakingaway.com for dates and pricing) or a running camp in Colorado (activeataltitude.com). For the female grad, check out Big Sky Yoga Retreats’ Cowgirl Yoga, a yoga and horseback riding retreat for women, or a SwellWomen’s yoga and surf camp.
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Your new alum will welcome both the opportunity to tune out the real world as well as the workout motivation these colorful headphones ($69.95) provide.
Find awesome workout tunes suggestions—and more!—at The Juice Bar
Dreamed up by two former WNBA coaches, these sheets ($159 to $219) are made of performance fabric, similar to the breathable material found in athletic shirts and shorts. As a result, SHEEX aren’t just cooler to the touch, they actually transfer body heat more effectively than cotton, which allows the body to cool itself, enabling faster, deeper zzzs. They’ll look and feel great in your grad’s new home away from home—plus a good night’s sleep is an essential part of maintaining good health.
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