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. York Fitness kettlebells (from £11)

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 York Fitness kettlebells are vinyl coated for better grip and come in 11 different weights, from 2 to 20kg.

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

Alternatively: Get a whole set of kettlebells for a wider variety of exercises. Dorset Kettlebells are perhaps not as pretty as the York ones but their sets of 3 different weights start at £76.50).

Related: Our exercise library features videos of kettlebell training.

2. Thera-Roll foam roller (£13)

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 physiosupplies.com for a wide range of rollers.

3. Kickmaster Quick Up Goal And Target Shot (£15)

Does your partner still think he's got a shot at that midfield position at Liverpool? Don't crush his dreams just yet, let him hone his finishing skills with this goal target from Kickmaster.

It's important for parents to be active with their kids, and this game encourages exactly that by making shot placing a competition. Just make sure you let the kids try a few times too. When the technique is perfected, the goal can be changed into a normal goal for a mini game of football.

Perfect for: Adults with high hopes and most kids.

Alternatively: If fancy ball-placing technique is not the way you roll, how about the Mitre foldable goals (£25)? They're easy to disassemble to take to the park and weigh next to nothing.

4. Nike Pro Combat Hyperwarm Mock (£32)

A good, insulating top can be the difference between showing up for training or staying at home in the middle of winter, so help that special someone out the door with this tight, long sleeve top.

Nike's Dri-FIT technology keeps you warm while leading moisture away from the skin. The Combat Hyperwarm mock comes in 4 different colours.

Perfect for: People who prefer to exercise outdoors and won't let a bit of cold weather stop them.

Alternatively: Try the Under Armour ColdGear Mock (£40), a dual-layered and lightweight shirt that is made for winter exercise.

5. 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 (£30.90) is one option and a cheaper model is the Skullcandy Chop Earhook (£17.99).

6. Polar FT4 heart rate monitor (£55)

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 (£229.99) – 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 (£49) is also one of the cheapest on the market.

7. Timbuk2 Scrunchie gym bag (£50)

Nice gym gear can be the difference between showing up or staying at home, so inspire that special someone with this super-practical Timbuk2 bag.

The Timbuk2 Scrunchie bags are roomy enough for all your gym gear and can easily carry your yoga mat too. Pockets on the side makes for quick access to your mobile and it has a key tether to keep you from locking yourself out.

Perfect for: Mostly for her, but it comes in man colours too: green, purple, black, and dark grey.

Alternatively: Try the Gaiam bags – especially the Metro model (£40) for gym and yoga. It has the same features as the Timbuk2 bag as well as a vented compartment for those smelly shoes.

8. Asics Gel-Hyper33 (£100)

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

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

Alternatively: Vibram Five Fingers (£79.99) 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.

Related: Barefoot running shoes: fad or fantastic

9. Xbox Kinect bundle (£250) with Your Shape Fitness Evolved 2012 (£34.99)

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 with Wii Fit, Zumba Fitness 2 and EA Sports Active 2 (£199.99) – The Wii has been a huge success for Nintendo and this Christmas it is released in black, bundled with 3 exciting exercise games.

Related: The truth about Wii and weight loss

10. Weekend at health retreat (£300 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 £300 per night for a full package.

Award-winning spa retreat Champney’s , for example, offer a range of health packages at 4 different locations. A 2-night stay with a choice of facials, massage, wraps and different spa and therapy treatments starts at £760.

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 forest walks, bike rides and make it an active holiday.