Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, November 19, 1993 TAG: 9311190274
SECTION: HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE PAGE: HGG-52 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By BECKY HEPLER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
People who work out every day have an unending need for socks, shorts, shirts tights, leotards and other clothing that go with their sport. Otherwise they're either always doing laundry, or worse, hanging the stuff up for the next day's workout and generating that lovely locker room smell.
The really dedicated ones can wear out the clothes in a short time. Try to make the elastic in athletic socks last more than three months of wear.
The cold weather means MORE clothes for those whose routine is outside, like runners and bikers. These folks will be layering on things such as hats, gloves, sweat shirts, tights and windbreakers to stay warm while exercising.
So, any fitness clothing items are most likely going to be greeted with a lot of cheer. All of these items can be found at department stores, discount stores and sporting goods stores.
With the opening of the new Aquatic Center in Blacksburg, you may know people who are starting or resuming a swimming program. These people always need suits, goggles, caps, ear or nose plugs and towels.
Every sport has lots of equipment and accessories that are needed. Racquetball players need racquets, balls, goggles, gloves. Bikers have all kinds of special needs, such as helmet, gloves. special shoes, mirrors, water bottles, carriers. Even a sport like running generates all kinds of gift ideas, such as pedometers, water bottles, timers and key keepers.
Some people would rather exercise in the privacy of their own home. Perhaps it's a parent who is finding it hard to get time away from the children. Maybe it's someone who really feels self-conscious in a gym, or whose schedule makes it hard to coordinate. There are lots of gift ideas here.
Most exercise videos are in the $8 to $20 range and they're good for the person who doesn't want to or can't get out of the house to an exercise class. They can get a beginner into a routine and add something new to the experienced exerciser's routine to keep down the boredom factor, a major threat to fitness plans.
CMT Sporting Goods has several different machines for those who want to exercise at home. The treadmills range in price from $395 to $1,800 (no, it doesn't make coffee). Step machines that mimic stair-climbing action are in the $250 to $350 range. The store also stocks exercise bike, including a combination biking and rowing machine. You can lay it away or get a gift certificate.
A lot of people enjoy lifting weights and all it takes is an empty corner and a bench to make a weight lifting center at home. CMT has the individual hand weights that cost 85-95 cents per pound, as well as bars, benches and weight lifting sets.
The small hand weights, in the 1 to 3-pound range can add an extra oomph to an aerobic workout, so consider these for a friend who's routine has become so.
A lot of people need the encouragement of additional people and the commitment of belonging to a club to make the exercise work. Several of the area fitness centers have special deals for those folks.
The Pulaski YMCA offers gift certificates for three-month memberships, one-year memberships or for specific classes. The Y sponsors aerobic classes, including step, land and water aerobics. They also have a senior fitness program and a class they call total fitness workout, which is an interval aerobic class with weightlifting.
The fees are $20 per class per month, $60 for a three-month membership or $125 for a yearly membership, which gets you into any of the classes and use of the facility.
The Fitness Connection in Blacksburg has gift certificates that can be used for the initiation fee, for the monthly fee or for 6-visit passes. The Connection has aerobic classes, weights, racquetball courts, whirlpools and saunas, and they offer free child care.
The initiation fee is $125, and it costs $36 a month to use the facility. The pass is $30.
For people who are already members of the club, the gift certificate could be used for a personal trainer who will work with the member to create a routine tailored to his or her needs, working on those areas that need attention.
The Radford Community Hospital Wellness Center, which offers a whole range of fitness programs such as aerobics and weight training, will prepare gift certificates for various membership lengths. The staff works with customers and potential customers to tailor a membership to his or her needs.
by CNB