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man practicing virtual yoga at home
Fitness
Published Thursday Dec 10, 2020 by Denise Prichard

Gift Guide 2020: The Perfect Ideas for the Fitness Lovers in Your Life

Well, 2020 certainly wasn’t what any of us anticipated, to put it lightly. On top of that, we are about to enter one of the strangest holiday seasons of all time. What used to be a time we all looked forward to that was filled with holiday parties, family get-togethers, and questionable amounts of eggnog has now turned into sheltering in place and way too many Zoom hangouts.    

As of now, we can’t promise you that 2021 will be any better (I know, I wish I had better news), but we can try to spark a little joy in your lives by creating an Instagram poll so you could dish about your favorite fitness gift ideas—whether you’re working out at-home, indoors—wherever.  

So, without further ado, here is our 2020 Gift Guide for Fitness Lovers: 
woman with laptop lifting weights inside

For the “all I feel is rage at this point” person...

  • Gift them an endorphin boosting virtual HIIT class. 
  • Give them new boxing gloves to help them take their aggression out in a virtual kickboxing class (and hopefully not on their roommate they’ve been cooped up with for a year.
  • Give them a phone call or chat with them on zoom and let them rant. Sometimes the best gift is just you listening. 

Hey...odds are we’re all feeling a little rage-tastic at this point. So why not soften the blow that 2020 served us with a gift that helps us take our anger out on inanimate objects like a punching bag—and up our fitness game at the same time? 

Woman running in place indoors

For the “get me the hell out of my apartment” person

  • Get them a new pair of kicks to help them take their trail running game to the next level. 
  • Gift them with a cycling class at their favorite studio, new cycling gear, or biking accessories if they prefer to ride outdoors. 
  • Encourage them to explore more trails with a new hiking guide or map or be super unique and make a donation to their favorite national park in their name.  

With vacations and even going to the movies put on the back burner for what feels like forever, give that person who is itching to break free from their humble abode a gift that will let them escape this “new normal” for a bit. Even a 30-minute workout class, outdoor run, or hike can be enough to help your friends and family reset and recharge. 

Woman with ipad in yoga pose in backyard

For the “I’m just trying to stay calm AF” person:

Even the coolest, calmest, and collected-est person reaches their breaking point. For your pals who have focused on staying calm through this nightmare of a year, encourage them to keep up the good work by giving them the gift of self-care. Anything from a yoga class to a new spa treatment to aromatherapy can help them stay in a blissful state-of-mind. 

For the “I became a couch potato during quarantine” person:

  • Book a fun, virtual workout class for you and your virtual workout buddy. Do you usually opt for yoga? Try something new and check out virtual barre. No equipment? No problem! Barre3’s online shop has everything you need to get started.   
  • New weights so they can lift while they binge-watch Hallmark holiday movies.  
  • A foam roller—because those first few workout sessions will definitely make them sore.  

We are all guilty of watching one too many Netflix series this year—but that doesn’t mean the solution to that is canceling our subscription. I would never suggest that. Instead, we can all ease back into our workout routines by switching things up and working out together or simply working out while we catch up on The Bachelorette or whatever you’re into at the moment. 

man rolling yoga mat indoors

For the “I already have everything I need” person:

  • They can’t possibly have enough wine, so that’s always a great gift. (Seriously, you guys all said that wine has helped you get through quarantine, and I’m not going to argue with you on that.) 
  • A gift card to their favorite fitness studio so they can book virtual classes with them right now or save it for in-person classes later.  
  • Any equipment to help them finish stocking their at-home gym. We love the “On-the-Go Packs” from McAlister Training that are chock-full of fitness goodies like resistance bands, mini bands, a foam roller, and more!

Just because the holidays look a little different this year, doesn’t mean we don’t have anything to look forward to. By giving your friend (and maybe even yourself) a gift from this fitness guide, you can begin 2021 on a strong note. And hey—if fitness just isn’t your thing at the moment, that’s totally okay! We have also put together a gift guide for folks who are focusing on relaxation, rejuvenation, and renewal.  

denise prichard
Written by
Denise Prichard
Marketing Content Specialist
About the author
Denise Prichard is a certified yoga instructor (RYT-200) and an experienced content marketing professional with a penchant for writing compelling copy within the health, wellness and beauty industries. When she isn't writing or editing, you can find her teaching yoga classes, at a spin class or hanging out with her rescue pups.
people in upward dog practicing yoga on mats
Fitness
Published Wednesday Jul 28, 2021 by Bree Lewis

Sweat Redemption: 5 Tips for Getting Back Into Your Hot Yoga Practice

Yoga
Fitness
Expert Advice

If you’ve ever taken a hot yoga class, you know it’s always going to be one thing—outrageously hot. Not the “let’s hang by the pool and get that sun-kissed glow” kind of hot either. I’m talking that “I can't believe I have this much sweat in my body” and “I may or may not pass out” kind of hot. It’s nothing to mess around with, and after a year or so of not being able to go, it’s easy to forget just how serious that heat can be.

To get the maximum enjoyment and benefits out of your heated yoga classes, you need to prepare yourself before and take care of yourself afterward. Luckily, I’ve been taking some classes (sweating enough for the both of us) and I’ve listed my five favorite must-dos to help you readjust to your heated classes and get back to the hot yoga summer that we all want.

1. Go at your own pace

Heated classes are difficult in nature. The normal difficulty of regular poses is mixed in with the added challenges of sweating and dealing with the humidity and the heat (at times, I’ve seen the thermostat climb to 108 degrees—yikes!). Depending on what type of yoga class you’re taking (sculpt, Bikram, power vinyasa), the difficulty level and temperature are going to vary. It’s also important to remember that each person in the room is going to practice in a way that’s unique to them. Hours slept, hydration levels, food intake, and different lifestyles are all contributing factors that make our practices different. What you practice on your mat is your own––trust your body and only do what feels right to you.  And remember, it’s okay to take breaks!

2. Hydrate like your life depends on it (honestly, it might)

The rise in temperature mixed in with the humidity that we all know and love creates the perfect recipe for sweating—like A LOT. You go into a heated class dry and come out feeling like you just took a dip in the pool. Before heated classes, I had no idea it was physically possible to sweat that much. If you’re going to a heated class, especially after a long break, it’s easy to forget just how much you might sweat. Is it possible to lose that much water if you haven’t consumed it first? Trust me, going into your heated class super hydrated is going to make a world of difference and help you feel good throughout your practice. And don’t forget to take some sips of H2O while you’re practicing!  

3. Nourish your body

Heated classes are challenging, but I can’t stop going. Nothing quite compares to overcoming the challenge— and experiencing the cleanse my body feels after I’m done. It’s the perfect blend of hard and rewarding, but I couldn’t do it if my body wasn’t properly nourished. On the days I know I have a heated class booked; I like to make sure I am eating right. I make sure to take my vitamins and fuel my body with fruits, vegetables, and my favorite superfood shake. I hold off on food about an hour before my practice, so I feel comfortable. After the class, I like to replenish with a big protein shake (boosted with collagen to aid with muscle recovery and skin elasticity). There is no one-way path for properly nourishing your body but making sure you’re fueled for the challenge of a heated class is essential for getting the most out of your practice and feeling good on and off your mat.

4. Replenish those electrolytes

Increasing and maintaining your water intake on the days you take a heated class is important, but sometimes you need something a little extra. If you’re sweating that much, you’re basically an athlete (at least in my book) and if you’re performing like a rockstar yogi, you need to hydrate like one as well. That means replenishing those lost electrolytes. Reward yourself and your body for the hard work and treat yourself to your favorite drink. I switch off between electrolyte-boosting drinks and coconut water depending on what I’m in the mood for that day. Adding these to my post-practice self-care routine has helped me feel more hydrated after and ready to take on the world again after especially sweaty classes.

5. Bring the right equipment

Usually, a yoga mat is all you need for your practice––but heated classes are a different ballgame. I’ve gone with just a mat, and I’ve slipped all over the place. Let me tell you, there’s nothing worse than having sweat drip all over the place while you’re trying to hold a pose that makes you grip your mat for dear life (never again). Make sure you bring a towel to place over your mat, this will help with support and grip. Bringing a smaller towel is also a good idea. You can use the smaller towel to dry yourself off during water breaks or whenever you’re feeling just a bit too sweaty. This is a small step that makes a world of difference during those super-hot classes.

So, there you have it. Five of my favorite tips (more like lifesavers) that have helped me readjust to those heated classes I love so much. Getting back into it is a challenge for us all, so know you’re not alone. No matter where you’re at in your practice, remember to be kind and gentle to yourself––celebrating your health and your body’s ability to do what you love. We’re all just getting back out there, together.

Ready to jump back into your hot yoga routine? Browse Mindbody to find the perfect class for you. 

While you’re at it, check out some Intro Offers near you that can help you get back to your cadence of hot yoga classes.

bree lewis headshot
Written by
Bree Lewis
Marketing Content Associate
About the author
Born and raised in a small mountain town just south of Yosemite National Park, Bree is an avid lover of health, wellness, and connecting to the outside world around us. As a Cal Poly English major alumn, she has a knack for books, writing, and all things words. In her free time, she enjoys being outside, drinking craft beers, and keeping life jazzy!