Written by Lauren Murphy, SIU School of Medicine
1. Bluetooth Scale, $169.99: There’s a right way and several very wrong ways to give a high tech scale to someone you love, am I right, ladies? You should never give this gift if you think it might be interpreted as a sign that you think your significant other, friend or family member should alter his/her body in any way. This gift might best be reserved for someone who is in the middle of losing weight as an acknowledgement of his/her hard work. Or, consider giving it to someone who is actively building muscle and gaining weight.
Why splurge?  Not only will a Bluetooth scale track how much you weigh via your smartphone, it will also measure body fat and calculate your body mass index (BMI), letting you track fat loss versus muscle gain.
2. Sonic toothbrush, $39.99: So your significant other might not have the freshest of breath, but that doesn’t mean you should tell him that. Maybe just label this one, “From Santa.” Just kidding, kind of. A sonic toothbrush is also a great option for children or the elderly who may not hit every tooth or brush long enough.
Why splurge? A Cochrane Oral Health Groupstudy suggested sonic toothbrushes resulted in less plaque and fewer cases of gingivitis. Less plaque means fewer cavities and less time you’ll have to spend with the dentist.
3. xBox 360 with Kinect, $280.87: The Kinect has been around for several years now, but that doesn’t mean it’s become any less entertaining. Not only can your significant other rub elbows with Mario Kart’s finest (lookin’ at you, Yoshi), she can also dance along to Latin-inspired Zumba classes or de-stress in a yoga class held in the comfort of her living room. Or, consider giving this to your kids and help promote a healthier, more active lifestyle.
Why splurge?  Research from JAMA Pediatrics has shown “exergames” to be an effective tool in preventing and treating excess weight and promoting physical activity in children. Some experts have labeled these exercise-gaming gadgets the cure for the childhood obesity epidemic.
4. Wake-up, Work-out Alarm, $29.95: This may simultaneously be the best and most annoying gift ever. In order to stop the blaring alarm, you have to execute 30 perfect arm curls holding the hand weight-shaped alarm clock. This gadget is perfect for that someone who says they want to work out but maybe can’t always find the motivation.
Why splurge? According to Lara Carlson, PhD, an associate professor at the University of New England, people who work out in the morning have been shown to have lower blood pressure throughout the day and get better sleep.
5. FitBit-Surge, $249.99: Not only can your loved one track his distance traveled, pace and elevation climbed, he can also play his favorite workout jams, monitor his heart rate and discover his sleep patterns. This little gizmo wirelessly synchs with smartphones, allowing the wearer to still receive text notifications and calls while pumping iron.
Why splurge? Many devices like the FitBit come with free access to online support communities, which can give you that extra push to keep going when your workouts start to become boring or difficult to maintain. Plus, the amount of data these tools track can provide a great deal of insight into how active (or sedentary) you are. Many users suggest setting goals, such as 10,000 steps per day, the daily minimum recommended by the National Institutes of Health, and using the FitBit to track your success.
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