Unusual fitness gifts UK: what Christmas gifts for gym lovers work if they already have dumbbells?

Three unusual fitness gifts

The GRAVITY FITNESS Alloy Steel Mace stands out because most of the weight sits in the head. Gravity says the majority of the mass is at one end, so the 4 kg version already asks for more control than a 4 kg dumbbell. It has a 32 mm handle and is the lightest in a range up to 12 kg. It suits someone who wants an unusual functional-strength gift, with space to swing it safely.

The GRAVITY FITNESS Wooden Gymnastic Rings stand out for numbered straps, which help you hang both 28 mm birch rings at the same height. Gravity lists a 4.5 metre strap length and a buckle clasp. This listing is the 28 mm size, which Gravity calls the Olympic standard. They suit a calisthenics fan who already has a solid beam, rack or pull-up bar. The listings warn they are not for children under 14.

The Gravity Fitness Parallettes stand out for a one-piece top bar on a steel frame, with wooden handles and non-slip rubber feet. The Medium size is 50 cm long, 40 cm wide and 30 cm high, so they need a clear patch of floor rather than a bar overhead. They suit someone who wants to practise push-ups, L-sits or handstand work at home without installing a rack.

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Cost per session, worked out

On 11 November the GRAVITY FITNESS Alloy Steel Mace was £44.95, the GRAVITY FITNESS Wooden Gymnastic Rings £37.95 and the Gravity Fitness Parallettes £59.95 on Amazon UK. Gravity Fitness listed the same prices in its own UK shop today. Used three times a week for a year, which is 156 sessions, that is roughly 29p, 24p and 38p a session. These are simple sums from today's prices, not a durability promise.

Quick questions

What unusual fitness gifts UK work if they already have dumbbells? A tool that changes how the load sits, or how they support their own weight. The mace puts the mass in the head; rings and parallettes make balance part of the movement.

Are gymnastic rings a good Christmas gift for gym lovers who train at home? Yes, if they have a secure beam, rack or pull-up bar. Otherwise the parallettes or the mace may be more practical.

Do you need a gym to use parallettes? No. The Medium pair needs a level floor space of about 50 cm by 40 cm.