In my last blog, I made a promise: if I didn’t lose 20lbs, I’d stop blogging altogether. This was my way of holding myself publicly accountable and seeing if the 13 years writing this blog would push me. As I write this, I am delighted (and relieved, tbh) that I’ve not only hit that target, but I’ve also surpassed it, losing 22lbs in 52 days.
But here’s the truth: the real challenge isn’t just losing weight; it’s keeping it off. My goal now is to avoid regaining and to push for a little more progress before the year ends. And what’s helped me most hasn’t been gimmicks or quick fixes. They’re straightforward tools that do their job well and they are my recommendations for the best family fitness gifts. A good pair of trainers, a reliable water bottle, headphones that stay put, and an activity tracker to track progress, together they’ve kept me moving, hydrated, motivated, and accountable.
With Black Friday and Cyber Monday, it’s easy to get swept up in the rush for deals that don’t really add value. But this year, we can flip the script, choosing gifts that improve our lives. Whether it’s trainers that keep kids moving, a water bottle that supports both hydration and the planet, headphones that fuel motivation, or a Fitbit that keeps the whole family accountable, the best bargains are the ones that make health, confidence, and connection part of everyday life. Here are my suggestions (and the items I use) the best family fitness gifts.
Great Fitness Gifts for the Kids: Boys’ & Girls’ adidas Trainers
Whether it’s football in the park, running around the playground or climbing frames, kids put their shoes through a lot. That’s why quality trainers are essential, they absorb impact, protect growing joints, and stand up to the rough and tumble of daily play.
For a great mid‑price option, the Adidas Duramo SL (around £43–£45) are a quality pair of girls’ trainers, and the Adidas Runfalcon 3.0 (around £40–£50) are an excellent pair of boys’ trainers. Lightweight and breathable, they feature cushioning to reduce strain, durable outsoles for longevity. And whether they for staying active or looking good, they are comfortable, stylish, and value for money
Hydration with Purpose: Ocean Bottle
Hydration can be more than just an essential habit for the body. Every Ocean Bottle you buy funds the removal of 1,000 plastic bottles from the ocean, turning a simple gift into real world impact. And once purchased, by using the Ocean Bottle app, you can log every refill, prompting Ocean Bottle to remove even more plastic on your behalf.
Designed with modularity in mind, these bottles let you swap lid types to suit different routines, whether it’s a flip lid for the gym, a screw cap for commuting, or a coffee lid for mornings on the go. Stylish, practical, and planet‑positive, the Ocean Bottle is ideal for every workout, coffee break or day at the office.
And using an Ocean Bottle isn’t just good for the planet, it’s also key to keeping your body hydrated and performing:
Boosts endurance: Staying hydrated helps muscles work longer without fatigue and helps reduce muscle fatigue.
Regulates body temperature: When we exercise, we sweat and that lost water needs to be replenished, preventing overheating during intense workouts.
Improves focus and coordination: Even mild dehydration can impair concentration and reaction time, crucial in both sports and in the office.
With the Ocean Bottle, every refill helps you maintain your health and helps sustain the planet.
Soundtrack to Fitness: Skullcandy Push Active Headphones
When paired with sweat‑resistant headphones like the Skullcandy Push Active, music isn’t something simply to listen to. Research shows that:
Music reduces perceived effort: Listening to upbeat tracks can make exercise feel up to 10% easier, allowing you to push through longer sessions without noticing the strain.
Tempo drives performance: Songs with a constant beat helps us to match our strides or reps to the rhythm, creating a music aided pacing that improves endurance.
Mood and focus improve: Music elevates mood, reduces anxiety, and distracts from discomfort. This psychological lift helps delay fatigue.
Consistency is easier: Self‑selected playlists make workouts feel more pleasurable, which increases adherence. People who train with their favourite music are more likely to stick with routines long‑term.
With 43 hours of battery life, bold colours, and secure ear hooks, the Push Active headphones are designed to keep that motivational soundtrack going through every gym session.
Tracking Progress Together: Fitbit Charge 6
If you are a regular reader of this blog, you’ll know that I am huge fan of collecting data and using it to motivate me, and the Fitbit Charge 6 makes that easy. Beyond counting steps, it’s a packed health tracker designed to keep wearers and accountable.
Steps & Activity Tracking: Measures daily movement, calories burned, and active minutes.
Heart Rate Monitoring: Tracks heart rate 24/7 and heart rate variability, helping you train in the right zones whether you’re training for fitness or fat loss.
Sleep Insights: Breaks down sleep stages and quality, so you can see how rest impacts energy and recovery (and for me, my eating habits).
Stress & Wellness Tools: Includes mindfulness reminders and stress management scores, encouraging balance as well as activity.
Workout Modes: Over 40 exercise modes with real‑time stats, plus built‑in GPS for outdoor runs or family walks.
Smart Features: Syncs with Google apps, lets you control music, receive notifications, and even use Google Wallet for contactless payments.
The Fitbit Charge 6 is lightweight but packs a lot of functionality and it is in a great price point.
Not the end
Losing 22lbs has been a huge relief and my first milestone reached, but it is far from the end. I have a much longer journey to take and I do believe that having good trainers, bottles, headphones, and trackers aren’t just accessories and an example of me having all the gear and no idea but also serve as aids to getting me where I and maybe you want to be.
So if you’re looking for Christmas gifts that go beyond the wrapping paper, consider ones that anchor a healthier New Year. Because fitness isn’t just about workouts, it’s about family, confidence, and the fun we have and futures we build together.
Big thanks to adidas for sponsoring this post as part of the adidas Blogger Community. I’m proud to share my own journey and recommendations here.