Totally Awesome Gift Guide 2011

Here is the third annual Totally Awesome Gift Guide–a collection of gift ideas that go beyond the mundane.

These gifts are curated based on: my personal review (i.e., after using the item, I found it to be totally awesome), or I just really, really want the item myself (i.e., it is totally awesome, period).

So, here are some totally awesome gifts for totally awesome people (like you!). I’ve grouped them into three categories: Fitness, Electronics, and Books.

FITNESS

1.) DemonBells

Truth be told, these are the kettlebells I covet.

Kettlebells are one of the best ways I’ve found to get in shape, get strong, and ramp up the cardio capacity. This one piece of iron will replace a gym’s worth of fancy expensive equipment.

If you are not quite bold enough for demonbells, then I’d recommend you buy your kettlebell from Dragondoor. Their kettlebells may be a little more expensive, but the Dragondoor kettlebells are the gold standard. For example, I’ve used other brands of kettlebells that just shred your hands because of their poor-quality finish.

Here’s a quick guide I made on how to get started with kettlebells.

If you can learn to use the kettlebell appropriately, then you have a lifetime of fitness gains and health ahead of you.

2.) Chin Up Bar, Pull Up Bar

Whether you do chinups (palms facing you) or pullups (palms facing away from you), a chin up or pull up bar can be one of your most important pieces of exercise equipment.

Not everyone has the space or ability to install a permanent pullup bar, so one that quickly installs over a door frame is a really good alternative.

Here’s a review I did for one pullup bar, plus a list of other popular chinup bars, plus a few pullup routines to get you started.

3.) Klean Kanteen

Looking for something inexpensive, useful, and healthy? I really get a lot of use out of my Klean Kanteen. It is made of 18/8 food-grade stainless steel, which is free of BPA and other toxins, and doesn’t retain or impart flavors. It keeps cold liquids cold, hot liquids hot, and you don’t have to worry about toxic metals leaching into what you drink.

4.) MIR Weighted Vest

Lately I’ve been doing a lot of bodyweight exercises and I use a weighted vest to increase the resistance in order to help build more strength. This MIR Weighted Vest is the one I use.

MIR sells many different kinds of weighted vests in a variety of weights. The one I bought, however, does not come with weights already inside it, but has strong velcro pockets in which you can put your own weights. This makes the weight vest much more flexible and customizable, since I can vary the weights in it, increasing the weights as my strength levels suggest. You can also use the pockets to hold your wallet and car keys in case you want to go for a run in your weight vest.

The weight is well distributed across my shoulders and the vest securely straps around my chest. In addition to using the vest for pullups, I’ve also used it for short sprints, pushups, and squats. I even sometimes use it when taking my dog for a walk, just to get a little workout from even a mundane activity.

I don’t know how long the sale will last, but as I type this, the vest is 50% off…

ELECTRONICS

1.) Amazon Kindle Reader

If you like to read, then it is likely you’ll enjoy an ereader. Never heard of it? Don’t know what an ebook or an ereader is? Don’t know your Kindle from your Kendall? What’s this Kindle Fire everyone’s talking about? Here’s a quick guide I put together, explaining what are ereaders, ebooks, and Kindles.

Here’s an overview of the Kindle ereaders now available.

And here’s an unboxing video I made of the Amazon Kindle Fire.

2.) IronKey USB Drive, 4GB

These days we all know how important it is to keep our files, data, and passwords safe. The IronKey USB Drive, 4GB, is specifically designed with safety and security in mind, including hardware encryption. Numerous security features are built-in to the drive and its case is stainless-steel and waterproof. There’s even a self-destruct mechanism in the event someone steals your drive and tries to guess your password. Keep your data safe with IronKey.

3.) Soundmatters foxLv2 portable speaker

After another brand’s external speaker fizzled after just using it for a few months, I stumbled onto the Soundmatters foxLv2 portable speaker and have been in listening heaven since. Also, here’s my review of the Soundmatters speaker, including a video demo I made.

BOOKS

1.) Audible subscription

Audible is a company that makes audio books, so you can catch up on your reading when on the go. For example, pop in a book you’ve been meaning to read and listen to it while commuting, walking the dog, or working out. I’ve been a member for several years now, ever since Audible saved my sanity.

Audible is now offering 3, 6 or 12 month gift memberships, or you can even give individual titles. Perfect for the book-lover in your life.

2.) Heart-Shaped Box, by Joe Hill

In Heart-Shaped Box, by Joe Hill, when aging rocker Judas Coyne buys a “ghost” advertised on the Internet, his life is turned upside down when he gets more than he bargained for. This is a book of horror, but also redemption. It is touching, moving, lyric, and will make you wonder who is waiting outside your bedroom door. Great debut novel by Hill.

3.) Five Slices of Death, by Kendall Giles

Yes, this is a collection of some of my haunting stories I put together, plus a cherry pie recipe! I think you’ll really like it. Here is more about the collection and where to buy it.

ENJOY!

So, that’s it for this year’s list of gift items–I hope you’ve been able to find at least something of interest. Consider shopping for yourself or someone else using this link to Amazon.com.