6 Gifts That Will Help Runners Stay Fit Without Leaving the House
Sometimes you need to switch it up. Sometimes it's just too dang cold. Either way, you can still get in a great workout.
It's easy to love the run. It's tougher to love all the other stuff that allows you to love the run. But at some point in every runner's life, we get there. We relish the hurt-so-good feeling of the foam roller. We seek out a few extra minutes on the yoga mat. We welcome the challenge of the rowing machine. Heck, we even come to enjoy a treadmill run.
Ultimately, it comes down to discovering the magic of switching up your workouts. Just ask any runner who's been stuck in a rut how they shook out of it—they'll tell you that mixing up their “tried and true” routine helped bust their slump and reignite the fire. Indoor workouts, whether on the treadmill or lifting weights, can help you do just that. Whether it's more convenient for you to run at home due to family commitments or it's just too cold outside, your home gym can become a sanctuary. (Let's be honest, any excuse to avoid a sub-zero, ice covered run is probably welcome.)
That's why it's worth the investment to have a professional-grade home gym setup. Since state-of-the-art treadmills, weight sets, and even a good yoga mat can carry hefty price tags, we went ahead and rounded up the best home-gym products for the runners on your list. We made sure the price is right so you can make sure your loved ones become complete athletes. If their basement just happens to become your new, highly discounted weekend gym, well, tis the season for sharing.
Matrix Fitness TF50 Treadmill
Matrix treadmills run the gamut for all home gyms, but possibly the most impressive model is the TF50 XIR. The club-quality treadmill is optimized for home use by serious runners, with a heavy-duty frame, extra-thick deck, and industrial-grade cushions.
A large running surface offers plenty of room for elbow-pumping intervals, and a continuous-duty drive system quietly recalibrates with each footfall for stutter-free strides. When you need the space, the folding deck lifts it up and out of the way.
You can also select one of three consoles (LED, 10” touchscreen, or 16” HD touchscreen with Bluetooth) to best suit your technology needs. The console includes a stunning HD touchscreen display to easily access entertainment apps, virtual destination courses, and wireless fitness tracking.
Bluetooth connectivity allows you to connect your phone to stream music or instructor-led workouts directly through built-in speakers. This tread will be the backbone of any home gym—worth every penny.
What’s a gym without a few free weights? Available in sets ranging from five to 50 pounds, these dumbbells are made from solid cast iron and virgin rubber that wont crack or fade. A high-quality home gym staple at a fair price tag of barely more than $1,000.
One great feature of a home gym is that you can jam out to your soundtrack as loud as you want without having to jam anything inside your ears. This lunchbox-sized powerhouse speaker costs less than $200, and has a 20-plus-hour battery life, easy connectivity options, and high-quality multidirectional Blumlein sound.
You never think about your gym floor—until you drop a barbell or crunches become backbreakers. Aktivlok makes your floor an afterthought in the best possible way. Their custom-fitting gym tiles are functional, comfortable, and sleek. The durable and resilient material, which is made from recycled tires, was developed after years of polymer recycling research to reduce shock. The flooring comes in several colorways or all black to suit your taste, and only costs $19 per 2’ x 2’ piece.
This fan puts the “home” in home gym with it’s chic, compliment-worthy design. Made of tough steel, aluminum blades, and eco-friendly bamboo, as well as having a 3-setting fan speed, the Otto’s ability to cool down any room is as good as it looks.
If you didn't check your form in the mirror did you even work out? This modern-looking piece mounts onto the wall or stands alone, and is made from shatterproof glass, which means that even if it’s hit by a stray dumbbell (or child), the glass won’t be spill out of the frame. Finally, all the mirror selfies with none of the locker room photobombs.
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