10 gift ideas for an active Christmas

If you’ve postponed Christmas shopping to the last minute this year, don’t sweat it. We’ve found 10 perfect presents for a fit and active Christmas.

1. Thera-Roll foam roller ($29.95)

Know someone who suffers from achy muscles after working out? Foam rollers are highly effective for soothing muscle pain and are used to release the ‘hot spots’ in the connective tissue surrounding a muscle.

Thera-Roll foam rollers  are ribbed in order to reach even deeper into the muscles and comes in 2 densities, grey (harder) and purple (firmer).

Perfect for: Anyone who struggles with sore muscles from marathon-runners to computer slumpers.

Alternatively: If you’re buying for someone who is new to rollers, give them a softer version to begin with. Have a look at foamrollers.com.au for a wide range of rollers.

2. Liive Vision Mayhem Sunglasses ($39.95)

Hey, here's a secret: a pair of nice, protective sunnies doesn't have to set you back hundreds of dollars! Sunglasses are an absolute necessity for anyone exercising outdoors – be sure to protect your partner's eyes against those nasty UV rays.

Liive  is a surf brand that makes reasonable sunglasses for active people. Most of the models wrap around the face and will stick on even in the most demanding circumstances.

Perfect for: Liive has a very large selection for both him, her and their kid.

Alternatively: All major sports brands make sunnies these days, but if you're ready to splurge, have a look at the Adidas Evil Eye ($250) range that won the prestigious 2011 Red Dot Design Award.

3. Philips ActionFit Sports headset ($49.95)

Know someone who can't stand the thump-thump disco beats at their gym? A good set of sports earbuds will take care of that.

The Philips ActionFit is a durable, waterproof and washable headset designed with hooks that go around your ears to keep the earbuds in place even when bouncing around. The headset also comes in a cheaper version ($29.95) without the hooks.

Perfect for: Exercisers who like to listen to their own music while they work out, and especially bike and running enthusiasts.

Alternatively: What you want is a solid headset because the wear and tear can be heavy, so go for a reliable brand. Sennheiser OMX 680 Sports Earphones ($89.95) is one option and a cheaper model is the Skullcandy Chop Earhook ($34.94).

4. Iron Edge starter kettlebells ($100)

Kettlebell training is effective exercise for office-bound people because it trains areas that are weakened by sitting for long stretches, like the core, lower back and shoulders.

The Iron Edge kettlebells are rubber coated for better grip and come in packages of 1-3 different weights.

Perfect for: People who like working out at home and have some experience with lifting weights. Not recommended for people with back injuries.

Alternatively: Cheaper but not as pretty kettlebells are available from Kettlebell Kingdom, ranging in price from $29 to $99 for the different weights.

Related: Our exercise library features videos of kettlebell training.

5. Polar FT4 heart rate monitor ($129)

Finnish Polar has been the market leader in heart rate monitors for years, in part due to the robust quality and ease of use of their products. A heart rate monitor is an excellent way of precisely monitoring a workout, so you can use the session more efficiently.

The FT4 displays heart rate, calories burned and improvements in fitness over time. It comes in 4 colours (pink, red, brown and silver) and the chest strap is included in the price.

Perfect for: Anyone who exercises regularly or needs to see progress in order to be motivated. A heart rate monitor measures your calorie burn more accurately than other tools.

Alternatively: Garmin Forerunner 210  ($399.00) – The Forerunner 210 has all the functionality of the FT4 plus some extras, like GPS tracking (so you can track your runs) and upload of data to Garmin's own sharing site, Garmin Connect. The most stylish monitors by far comes from Suunto, whose starter model M1 ($99) is also one of the cheapest on the market.

6. Membership for the Shannan Challenge ($149)

Do you know someone who is looking to turbo-charge their weight loss in 2012? Give them a membership to Shannan Ponton’s Best Body Challenge – an 8 week weight loss challenge with the Biggest Loser’s most energetic trainer.

Perfect for: The Challenge is set up both for beginners and seasoned exercisers who want to lose a few kilos, or kick start their fitness with one of the best trainers in the business.

7. Asics Gel-Blur 33 ($160)

The Asics Gel-Blur is a lightweight and flexible shoe that gives your foot more freedom than a conventional running shoe and is good for both walking and running. It is incredibly airy, making it ideal for hot summer days.

Shopping for someone who is curious about the new barefoot running shoes? This is a good starter, as the Gel-Blurs offers some cushioning.

Perfect for: Style-conscious exercisers and runners who prefer a lighter shoe with less support.

Alternatively: Vibram Five Fingers  ($189.99) is a serious barefoot running shoe, as it is basically just a glove for your feet, offering no cushioning or protection at all. Only for experienced runners.

8. Crumpler gym bag ($165)

Nice gym gear can be the difference between showing up or staying at home, so inspire that special someone with one of these super-practical Crumpler bags.

The price tag may be steep but Australian Crumpler have become famous worldwide for their quality products. They’re so good, in fact, that they have a lifetime warranty on their bags.

Perfect for: Mostly for her, but the bag does come in man colours too: purple, black, and a black and brown combo (pictured).

Alternatively: Another thoughtful present is the ever popular Country Road tote bag ($59.95) that comes in a host of patterns and colours. For a more striking look, how about the college sports bag from Lorna Jane ($69.99)?

9. Xbox Kinect bundle ($399) with Your Shape Fitness Evolved 2012 ($69.95)

Kinect was the big thing for Christmas last year but the good games are only coming out now. Xbox Kinect is a system that scans your body and mimics it on the screen, making it a great tool for home exercise.

Your Shape Fitness Evolved 2012  includes training sessions with martial arts, dance and boot camp, and can even correct you when you are doing something wrong. Other games that make exercise seriously funny are EA Sports Active, Zumba Fitness and Just Dance 3.

Perfect for: Anybody, really. Exercise video games provide hours of fun both for people starting to exercise and for those who have some experience under their belt.

Alternatively: Nintendo Wii Fit Plus Pack  ($249.95) – The Wii has been a huge success for Nintendo and this Christmas it is repackaged with all the exercise tools in one box (Wii Fit and Balance Board).

Related: The truth about Wii and weight loss

10. Weekend at health retreat ($500 and skyward)

A weekend away to yourself must be the ultimate gift for anyone, and health and fitness retreats are now popping up all over the country. Prices vary depending on location, facilities and length of stay, but health retreats don't come cheap. Expect to fork out at least $500 per night for a full package.

A 2-night stay at Hopewood outside Sydney including all meals, Swedish massage, facial, yoga and tai chi, for example, costs $804 per person.

Perfect for: Considering the prices, someone you really, really love.

Alternatively: Rent a house in the country for a weekend, bring bikes and all the healthy food you need and create your own fitness retreat with friends or family. Go for bushwalks, bike rides and make it an active holiday.