Shopping for a fitness fanatic can be a bit of a challenge, especially if you don't know much about their workout. Luckily, dietitian Julie Upton, MS, RD, of Appetite for Health [1], approached real-life CrossFit consumers to find out what they really want to find under their Christmas tree this year.
If you have a member of the CrossFit church on your holiday list, we asked coaches and members of CrossFit boxes what's on their wish lists. Here are the top five wish-list gifts.
Becoming a Supple Leopard: The Ultimate Guide to Resolving Pain, Preventing Injury, and Optimizing Athletic Performance
Considered the "Bible" of mobility, this 400-page behemoth of a book is written by Dr. Kelly Starrett, a physical therapist and owner of San Francisco CrossFit. The book has descriptions and pictures to help athletes provide basic maintenance on themselves with foam rollers, balls, voodoo floss, and other gadgets to loosen tight muscles and tackle what may be contributing to restricted joint range-of-motion and injury.
$60, Amazon.com [2]
RockGuards (aka ShinSkins)
No more rope burns or bloody shins from box jumps, deadlifts, cleans, and snatches, thanks to these protective shin guards. They're made of stretchy Lycra and have 5 mm of neoprene for added protection over your shin.
$60, Rocktape.com [3]
Reebok CrossFit Nano 4.0
The fourth-generation Nano is considered a multipurpose shoe for any CrossFit WOD — no matter the movement. It's stiff enough for Olympic lifting yet flexible enough for running and offers enough shock absorption for box jumps and double-unders. It also features a "cage" upper to protect it from rope climbs.
$120, Reebok.com [4]
Oly and Gymnastics Coaching or Specialty Coaching
To CrossFit at higher levels, you need mad skills in Olympic weightlifting (clean and jerk and snatch) as well as gymnastics. Specific coaching in Olympic weightlifting and gymnastics can help her get to the next level.
Prices vary. Click here [5] to find an Olympic weightlifting coach in your area and here [6] to find an Olympic gymnastics coach in your area.
Source: USA Weightlifting [7]
Rehband 7751 Camo Knee Support
CrossFitters squat — a lot — so most of us use knee supports when we're lifting heavy or doing weighted lunges. Rehband makes the most widely used knee supports in CrossFit and now has a camo version that looks great too.
$37, Roguefitness.com [8]