Athletes Love Their Gear
Around the holidays I like to find gifts for people that they will actually use. luckily all of my friends and family are CrossFitter’s so finding something for them should be a cinch.
There is no better gift to give a CrossFitter than a fitness related gift; preferably something that they will use over and over again.
CrossFitter’s tend to be habits of nature and any tool that is used in their routine will get a ton of action. This is the best kind of gift in my opinion. No one likes useless crap that gets tucked in a box or drawer left to die.
Here is a list of products for the CrossFitter this holiday season:
Books
Cookbooks are one of my favorite gifts to give other CrossFitters (or anyone that needs to eat better). I own each of these books and I use them on a regular basis. All are super high quality with excellent recipes and photography.
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Supplements
Supplements are always a possible gift idea but you should know what people like because many CrossFitter’s are very picky about their supplement routine (just like their training and diets). Some top supplement brands include:
Primal Nutrition By MarksDailyApple.com - I personally use primal fuel, primal fish oil, and primal flora. I have them auto-shipped to me every month. Highly recommended
Carlson Fish Oil – Amazon (Carlson is my personal favorite brand, I have been using their 1000mg “very finest” fish oil for years now. I never travel without it!)
Stronger Faster Healthier - Some of my trainers use their grass-fed whey and rave about it. I have not had experience with their products however.
[simpleazon-image align="right" asin="B0018G4ZEW" locale="us" height="160" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41DzzbsPRLL._SL160_.jpg" width="160"][simpleazon-link asin="B0018G4ZEW" locale="us"]BlenderBottle® Classic 28-ounce Blue[/simpleazon-link] - I Highly recommend a blender bottle for anyone who trains. It can be used as a water bottle or for mixing supplements pre and post workout. It is also BPA free. I have one that I have used for 4 years now and still gets the job done.
Clothing
Clothing is always a safe bet but I would recommend getting sizing as clothes for training tend to fit snugly and no one likes to train with baggy clothing.
Some top clothing brands for CrossFitter’s:
Lululemon Athletica - I have spent way too much money at this place. Stuff does last though. I love their v-necks for men.
CrossFit ReeBok - I have their Oly’s and their version 1 Nano’s. Excellent shoes all-around. Every CrossFitter should have a pair of Olympic weightlifting shoes.
LifeAsRx.com - Have bought a few shirts from them. High quality stuff and good customer service (had an issue with a pair of shorts and they returned quickly and with no issue)
Socks
CrossFitter’s fashion rule number 5# states that knee-high socks are required WOD gear, especially for females. Not only are knee-high socks fashionable when tearing up a WOD, but they are also functional (and we CrossFitter’s like that don’t we) because they protect your pretty little shins from scars, cuts, and bruises from the barbell.
A few sock options:
Jump Ropes
Speed ropes are a safe bet as well as wrist wraps. Typically these are one size fits all so you shouldn’t have trouble with choosing one. Here are some of the best jump ropes that my clients use and that I have tested myself:
Standard speed rope - These are good for the price but will wear out after a bit of use. I recommend using only on matted areas and not concrete or gravel. I suggest buying a couple extra for backups. [simpleazon-image align="right" asin="B004P3R6LE" locale="us" height="115" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41Fe6QRShDL._SL160_.jpg" width="160"]
Rx Ropes - I have no experience with these but I have heard good things from a few clients that use them.
Rogue Speed Rope - This is my personal favorite rope although I haven’t tried the new Rogue rope which looks awesome. Maybe Santa will bring me one to test out 
Wallet Cards by BoxProducts.com
Check out these handy reference cards that you can use to eat and train better.
Abmats
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Abmats are awesome and everyone uses them because every trains their abs. Most of my clients do GHD and Abmat work after every single class. Abmats support your lower lumbar and make the sit-up safer and more effective. Any CrossFitter will absolutely love an Abmat for Christmas.
Kitchen Gear
Most people train CF to lose weight and look better naked, and because of this they understand how diet works and the importance of eating better. You will typically find CrossFitters as do-it-yourself type of people who like to cook (or at least try to) and kitchen gear that can help them in the kitchen is a perfect example of a gift that will get practical use. Because there are so many different options for kitchen gear I will only list some of my favorite and most recommended to my clients
[simpleazon-image align="right" asin="B000FZ223I" locale="us" height="92" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41%2BuxXWbc6L._SL160_.jpg" width="160"]A knife set – I know what you are thinking, that’s expense, but not with the Rada Cutlery Starter Set[/simpleazon-link] set. I have 4 knives from this set and it is an excellent set for the price and for most people is more than enough to get the job done.
[simpleazon-image align="right" asin="B003UV8L6G" locale="us" height="160" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41-gsrlWGSL._SL160_.jpg" width="128"]A Crock-Pot – This is the absolute best gift you can give a busy CrossFitter (or anyone for that matter). Set it and forget it cooking that is almost impossible to screw up.
Perfect for the fitness and Paleo enthusiast. I own two and sometimes hook them both up to slow cook multiple dishes for the next day.
[simpleazon-image align="right" asin="B0000CDVD7" locale="us" height="127" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31TBSVF6ABL._SL160_.jpg" width="160"]A garlic press – Garlic is one of the easiest ingredients to add major flavor to your dishes but it is also the most hassle to use. Personally I hate peeling and fine dicing these little bastards so I bought myself a heavy duty garlic press to completely annihilate these and save myself a ton of time. A super useful gift that will be used many times over.
[simpleazon-image align="right" asin="B000EGA6QI" locale="us" height="160" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31MDJZQP5XL._SL160_.jpg" width="91"]Immersion blender – Amazing device. Hands down one of the best tools in the kitchen. These can whip, blend, puree, make soup, dips, applesauce, salad dressing, sauces, and so much more.
CrossFit Shoes?
You might wonder why I didn’t list shoes on this list. Well shoes are very tricky for the CrossFitter. Sizes tend to be very hit or miss, with some shoes you buy smaller and some you buy bigger. Footwear such as Vibram 5-fingers should be tried on in person; trust me on this one, I’ve bought 3 pairs and you must try them on! With that being said, I would still recommend the ReeBok Oly Lifters if you are pretty sure of your shoe size, they are awesome. They fit a bit snug and will break in with use so don’t buy bigger, try to buy as close to your shoe size as possible.
Plenty of Gear Ideas for the CrossFitter near you
Surprise that special someone and stand out this year with a fitness related gift. While most people will be giving mugs, ornaments calendars, and other useless (and unoriginal) crap, you will be giving the gift of fitness. There isn’t anything better than that.
Have A Happy And Very Paleo Holiday!
