MILO BRYANT: Medicine ball, fitness shoes make good gifts

The holiday season is upon us, and many of us are looking for that gift for the fitness fanatic in our lives.

In the past, we've gone a bit crazy at times with some of the gifts' costs. This year we'll keep everything under $100.

• Bosu Ball. I like the Bosu primarily because as we get older we tend to stop using our proprioreceptive muscles. Doing so causes us to gradually lose the ability to balance. The Bosu Ball provides a challenging and oftentimes fun way for us to keep those muscles - or find them again. bosu.com

• Medicine ball. Vesatility is what makes these great. They're available in weights from 2 to 30 pounds, and come in leather or rubber. My clients have done everything from overhead tosses to leg raises to power pulls and push-ups with medicine balls. Most discount stores have them.

• Vibram's Five Finger shoes. I can't remember a time I've gone overboard on a product.

But folks, this is it. I love these shoes. I wish I'd had a pair 30 years ago! The shoes are called Five Fingers because each shoe has (get this) five fingers, an individual compartment for each toe. OK, so they're poor on marketing. Who cares? The shoe is phenomenal.

There is absolutely no support, forcing the body's muscles to provide it. There are hard, rubber soles that give protection against rocks, glass, sticks and other skin-piercing objects. It's the closest thing to being barefoot we can get. I've sprinted on the beach, concrete and trails, and have had zero issues with them. I've spent all day in the shoes and my feet have thanked me for it.

Early next year, I'll write about these again, when we cover the importance of strong feet.

There are only two small drawbacks and one big one. These shoes require no socks, so if you sweat a lot and don't wash them, they will get stinky! There is no protection from the elements. If it's cold or wet, we feel it. And the big one: Everywhere I go, people ask about the shoes, so if I'm in the gym, it's difficult to get in a workout because so many folks want to know about them. They're available at Mountain Chalet. www.vibramfivefingers.com

• Jump-rope. I know I've mentioned these before. For five bucks? C'mon! No fitness enthusiast can beat that value. Most discount stores have them.

• Magazine subscription. Men's Fitness, Oxygen, Men's Health, Fitness - there are a lot of them. It makes a gift that lasts the entire year. Most bookstores have the magazines, which are filled with subscription post cards. Or search for the title online and subscribe at your computer.

• Entry fee. If your fitness enthusiasts are anything like the ones I know, they're always talking about entering this race or entering that race but never seem to do it. Well, here's the time to call their bluff. Buy their entry fee into that half-marathon or century ride or triathlon that's six months away. Then give them all the encouragement to train for it.

Search the Web to find a race.

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Bryant is a former Gazette reporter now living in San Diego. He holds training certifications from the National Strength and Conditioning Association, USA Weightlifting and the Titleist Performance Institute. Reach him through the "contact" link at www.nobullfit.com.