The Perfect Healthy Gift for Mom

With Mother’s Day coming up start thinking outside the box and think inside the bag. A well-stocked, stylish, gym bag is the perfect Mother’s Day gift. Every little motivational tool is a blessing when looking for reasons to workout. A gym bag with all the essentials is just what Mom needs to psych herself up to sweat. Here’s a few suggestions for this awesome gift idea:

First Things First…Find a Great Gym Bag:

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Mom needs a gym bag that is both stylish and practical. A duffle bag with extra compartments, both inside and out, is desirable for storing gym bag essentials. Also, make sure the gym bag you select is either machine washable or has coated fabric that can be easily wiped down. Leather just isn’t going to do. Ideally you want a gym bag that has both a handle strap and a shoulder strap. On days when she is loaded down with groceries and other sundry packages, Mom needs different carrying options for her gym bag. If shopping online, Zappos.com and Amazon.com have a great selection. I also like HadakiShop.com because you can select from many fabric choices as well as purchase matching accessories like a cosmetic bag.

Speaking of Cosmetic Bags…

A bag inside a bag? Yup, that’s a necessity for the ultimate gym bag. Mom will need a few essential toiletries like deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion and a brush. Look for her favorite brands in trial sizes, which can be purchased at most drug stores, and gather them in a small cosmetic bag for inclusion in her chic, new gym bag.

Hydration Station:

Every gym bag needs a great water bottle and Mom needs to stay hydrated during her workout. Look for a water bottle with an opening big enough to easily fill with ice (my favorite is the Nalgene Tritan Wide-Mouth http://store.nalgene.com/), and try to find one with a carrying strap. H2O with a hint of fruit can be very quenching so you might consider one of the cool new infusion water bottles like the Define Bottle which has both a wide opening and carrying strap (http://www.definebottle.com/).

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Fashionable Fitness:

Mom will feel better about sweating if she looks good while doing it, so why not help her out with a cute, new exercise outfit (or a gift certificate to buy one)? For the fashionista, Lululemon.com is the way to go. For comfort and style try Athleta.com and for fashion on a budget, TJ Maxx is the best!

A Few Extras:

You know Mom best so consider if she will need any of these items in her gym bag as well; hairbands, weight-lifting gloves, a towel, an extra pair of socks and a few on-the-go exercise accessories like a jump rope or resistance bands.