Getting the right gift for anyone can be a challenge, but athletes can be especially difficult to shop for. Help us out this holiday by sharing your ideas. Tell us about the best fitness gift you ever received (or gave) and why it's the perfect gift for all types of athletes.

Here's what your fellow reader's had to say:

Pampering

Give anything that would be called pampering. Most athletes train too much & too hard and never 'treat' themselves to anything soft. Give them a treat (good meal out, spa day, massage, a good book, or a movie). Something to get them to stop and slow down or heal a tired, over worked body!

--Deb

Gear

Athlete's love gear. Just look at what they do regularly and replace a piece of gear that they have that is old, worn or overused. Or get one in a different color.

--Guest rarah

A Massage

What athlete can't use a sports massage? It's the best gift ever!

--Guest Timbuk3

Health Club Membership

I received one recently and though it was a great gift. Now I'm more likely to keep up me exercise routine through the cold and snow of winter -- I usually stop exercising in winter, but not this year. Thanks Franny!
--Guest joesoma

Share Your Gift Ideas for Athletes

Detroit Lions running back Jahvid Best, who has been sidelined with a Grade II turf toe injury since late September, has finally returned to practice. Although he sat out yesterday's workout, Best told the Free Press he hopes to play in Sunday's game against Chicago.

Turf toe is a painful, traumatic injury that occurs when the big toe is forced upward, bending, beyond its normal limits. The injury is generally occurs during sports played on grass or artificial turf when an athlete forcefully jams his toe into the ground and bends it backwards resulting in a bruise at the base of the big toe where the joint capsule has stretched or torn. In some cases, an athlete may even dislocate the big toe.

Learn more about the cause and treatment of Turf Toe.

Energy bars and gels offer easily digestible, convenient sports nutrition for times when real food is impractical or inconvenient, but which energy bar is best for your nutrition needs, and which one just tastes best?

Share Your Opinion & Write a Review

CLIF Bar Energy Bars
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Balance Bar Energy Bars
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PowerBar Energy Bars
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Luna Bar Energy Bars
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Larabar Energy Bars
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Energy Gel Reviews

When washed down with adequate water, energy gels provide a quick dose of complex carbohydrates for endurance athletes, but not all energy gels are made (or taste) the same. What do you think of these popular energy gels?

Clif Shots Energy Gel Reviews
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GU Energy Gel Reviews
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Honey Stinger Natural Energy Gel Reviews
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Powergel Energy Gel Reviews
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Do you know the best way to work your abs? If you are tired of doing dozens of crunches and want a better way it helps if you understand where your abs are and how they work.

_{Photo: Photodisc/Getty Images}

Check out the Abdominal Muscles Anatomy Overview, and then pick several new Abdominal Strengthening Exercises you may not have tried.

Index: Abdominal Exercises - Muscle Anatomy and Function

1. Abdominal Muscles - Anatomy and Kinesiological Overview
2. The Rectus Abdominis Muscle
3. The External Oblique Muscles
4. The Internal Oblique Muscles
5. The Transversus Abdominis Muscle
6. The Hip Flexors
7. Design an Effective Abdominal Exercise Routine
8. Great Ab Exercises To Try

Our watch these videos for some new ideas:

Strengthen your Abs and Core Muscles with Free Weights

Build Core and Ab Strength with Crunches