Give the gift of fitness

Let’s face it, most of us don’t need another sweater, necktie or fruitcake more than we need a healthier lifestyle.

That’s why long after all the turkeys have been gobbled up, trimmings scarfed and desserts devoured, many of us will resolve to get fit. You can help with those resolutions by giving gifts that motivate and inspire.

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For the Do-It-Yourselfer, the TRUEStretch home gym stretcher can help you increase your flexibility and strength.

PHOTOS: Our fitness gift guide

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Whether you want to be subtle or more direct in your approach, have just a few bucks to spend or a nice chunk of cash, you can find an assortment of gift ideas to fit every health and fitness need.

If someone on your list has already committed to an exercise and fitness cause, you can help encourage them with a variety of books, DVDs, gadgets and equipment. Try to make sure the gift reflects the recipient’s interests and doesn’t make them self-conscious about their health or fitness level.

Here are a few suggestions to help you fit a variety of interest and motivation levels:

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COUCH POTATO

For the sofa buff, Monday morning quarterbacking and backseat driving are part of their normal routine. So, until you can actually get them up and moving, keep them entertained and educated with books about health and fitness. Or encourage them to treat their bodies with a relaxing massage and organic products that soothe and nourish.

• Whole Foods Market offers an assortment of simple pleasures for the body from scarves at $9.99 to Body Care Gift Sets for $34.99.

• “Eat, Shrink & Be Merry” provides recipes and tips to help you enjoy food without jeopardizing your health. It retails for $29.95 at www.eatshrinkandbemerry.com and www.amazon.com.

• Learn to make the mind and body connection with “Fit Soul, Fit Body,” $24.95 at bookstores and www.amazon.com.

• Move the buff off the couch and into a relaxing massage chair, ranging in price from $1,699 to $2,699 at www.panasonic.com.

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OLD SCHOOLER

It may be the 21st century, but some people don’t want fancy equipment, gear or movements. Instead, they prefer to stick with the tried-and-true basics such as calisthenics, jumping rope and jogging. For them, a nice jump rope, a pair of Nike Air Pegasus (the company’s first running shoe, released 25 years ago), and a gym bag to keep them in might do the trick.

• You don’t have to be a child or a boxer to burn calories jumping rope. The Savasa jump rope retails for $9.99 at www.amazon.com.

• The REI Balance Gym Bag, which lets you store plastic bottles and gym clothes in a slender bag design, retails for $59.50 and is available at REI stores or online at www.rei.com.

• Nike’s first running shoe, the Air Pegasus, celebrates 25 years and retails for $85 at NikeStore, Lenox Square.

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TECHIE/GAMER

Jack LaLanne, meet George Jetson. For the computer-savvy, high tech lover on your list, an assortment of gizmos and gadgets abound to facilitate the exercise process. Let them install applications on their iPhone that track their exercise progress or even do a bit of “exergaming” around the house.

• Track your heart rate, calories burned and other fitness metrics on your iPhone with the iSpinning application, free to download for a limited time at the iPhone App store or www.smheartlink.com. Additional hardware required.

• Enroll in boot camp with celebrity trainer Jillian Michaels on your Wii game system. It retails for $49.99 where video games are sold.

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FASHIONISTA

Sweats and a T-shirt just don’t make the grade for some people. They want to look good while they’re trying to … well, look good. For that dapper dresser or style-conscious exerciser, a wardrobe full of gear such as skirts, pants and jackets makes working out quite a fashion statement.

• Make a fitness and fashion statement at the gym with skirts attached to leggings. They retail from $75 to $130, available online at www.skirtsports.com.

• The OXT Stride Pants are made of breathable stretch-woven fabric to repel rain and snow. They retail for $60 and are available at REI or online at www.rei.com.

• Novara Arosa Bike Jersey, retailing for $55 at REI, is made of insulting fabric for cool-weather riding.

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RUNNER

Nothing feels better to them than having the wind blowing through their hair as they stride towards their goal. Upgrade their run with a nice wristwatch that provides real-time performance feedback. You can also try shoes that help fuel their fire.

• The Nike Amp watch, $54.99 at www.nike.com, displays performance feedback while you run. Additional hardware required.

• Run for yourself and the Mother Earth with END (environmentally neutral design) Footwear, $45 to $95 at www.rockcreek.com, www.Zappos.com and www.backcountry.com.

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DO-IT-YOURSELFER

Some people just like to work out in the privacy of their own home, and for them, you can add a few pieces of equipment to help them get the job done. For a little bit of money, you can try a range of DVDs that let them follow along with dance, yoga, Pilates or any exercise they desire. But if you’re a cash cow, you can beef up their home gym with a piece of fitness equipment.

• Dance or sculpt your way to fitness with exercise DVDs from Warner Home Videos, retailing for $14.98.

• Increase your flexibility and strength with the TRUEStretch home workout equipment, $2,399 available at Fitness Depot stores.