Let’s say that you want to buy a fitness-related gift for a friend or relative, but don’t want to imply that they’re secretly a giant slug. You love them, which is why you want to encourage them to enjoy the life-extending benefits of exercise. Just without the life-shortening stress of being mad at you. How can you do that?

Second/Shift Athlete offers some tips for fitness-related gift giving that might not make the recipient feel judged at all.

First, talk about it ahead of time. Listening is good here, too – if they mention needing new sneakers or that they’ve always wanted a clip-on MP3 player, this might be your moment. But it’s also okay to broach the subject casually.

Give the gift of an experience, not a thing. Make it an activity to do together, too. How about a snowshoe rental? Accompany your friend to beginning pole-dancing classes? Know the person you’re shopping for, of course.

Ambiguous gifts. You can use secure in-ear headphones while you run, but also while you ignore other people on the bus. The best fitness presents aren’t just for fitness.

HOW TO GIVE A FITNESS GIFT WITHOUT MAKING SOMEONE HATE YOU [Second/Shift Athlete]

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