Gifts That Are Nothing Less Than Moving

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Dance Hoop

For Whom: Your sister; your mother

Price: $30

Sweat Factor: Variable

Test Drive: If you thought the hula hoop was a thing of your past, think again. This foam-covered hoop is adjustable, not so much to fit girths of varying circumference but because a bigger hoop allows for slower, gentler workouts. Composed of either five or six detachable sections (yes, you can pack it and take it for a whirl when you're visiting your in-laws over the holidays), Gaiam's Dance Hoop makes it surprisingly easy to get back into the spin of things. (And it comes complete with an instructional high-energy exercise DVD.) Available from the company's Web site, http://www.gaiam.com.

Yoga Pretzels

For Whom: Fans of simple, portable illustrated how-to's; adults who want to instill a moving spirit in kids

Price: $14.99

Sweat Factor: Low to moderate

Test Drive: Sweet drawings and primary colors make this sturdy box of 5-by-7-inch plastic-coated cards look like a game. That's the idea. Join in. The front of each card shows a stance -- either a solo (the Plank, the Warrior) or a partner pose (Double Dog). On the back are easy instructions and inspirations (e.g., "I am focused and stable," for the Tree). Who knew yoga could be such fun? Available from Barefoot Books ( http://www.barefootbooks.com).

LoveHandler

For Whom: Anyone under 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds with a short attention span

Price: $249.95

Sweat factor: Relatively low (if we're talking actual perspiration).

Test Drive: Brought to you by Sharper Image Design and Dan Isaacson (personal trainer to such Hollywood A-listers as Johnny Depp, Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan), the LoveHandler is a shockingly amusing (think the merry-go-round when you were 5) mechanism that targets oblique flab -- the love handles -- as well as parts of the back, shoulders and hips. The compact design (it also folds up for storage) makes it ideal for stationing in front of the tube, where you can make partial orbits for long enough to catch weather and traffic.

Talking Pedometer

For Whom: Anybody with the patience to program it

Price: $25

Sweat Factor: Varies (and let's not forget that it is possible to eat and stroll)

Test Drive: It might take a good 30 minutes to figure out how to use it (measure your stride before programming for action), but this little device from Brookstone seems more reliable and engaging than the old models. A robotic-sounding woman (like the one in your cellphone who says you've got messages) announces distance traveled, calories burned and elapsed time of your workout. But you can always silence her and instead watch the display on the LCD screen. The pedometer comes with two A13 (hearing aid) batteries, which aren't cheap to replace.

Resistance Cord

For Whom: The practical-minded

Price: $12.99

Sweat factor: Flexible

Test Drive: Whether it will form part of the starter kit for somebody you want to encourage into fitness or become the packable standby for a die-hard, this is a no-nonsense gift. With its durable nylon cord and padded handles, the Firm's cord -- which comes in three different strengths for beginners, intermediates and advanced users -- is as easy to use as it is to store. Each is complete with a workout DVD. Who could ask for anything more? Available among the accessories at http://www.firmdirect.com.

-- Health Staff