Well, last week seemed to get away from me. What with training everyone prior to taking my vacation, teaching a course for new trainers to get certified, trying to get a workout in once in a while, and also trying to get at least part of my Christmas shopping done, and getting Christmas lights finished on the house, I guess the blog kinda got away from me at the end of the week. However, it did give me the chance to come up with the best deadlifting line ever while teaching technique work to the newbies:

“Deadlifts are 99 percent hips and 20% shoulders. That makes 119%. Why? Because deadlifts are that awesome.”  Terrific.

So to make up for it, I compiled a nice Christmas list for everyone out there to have their greatest Christmas EVER!!

What’s more, by clicking on the links provided, you can instantly purchase whatever you want so that all the greedy bastards in your life can get exactly what they want for Christmas, plus I get a little kickback on it all. Life is good.

For the Average Joe:

1. PowerBlock adjustable Dumbells

If you’re interested in setting up a home gym, take note: racks of dumbells are really expensive. Plus they take up a lot of space. These are the best option. They’re fairly cheap, take up very little space, and look awesome in the middle of your dining room. No? Well, then, maybe in the basement or in the garage. Guess not everyone works out in their dining room.

2. Under Armour Core Shorts

These kinda kick some serious ass. I started using them after screwing up my SI joint this past spring, and it helped to give it that stabilization I wasn’t able to get on my own. they let me run and start working on doing some rehab and let me get back into shape better than anything else I’ve ever used. I liked them so much, I even got The Future using them to help her out with her training.

3. Show and Go Training

A great resource for those who want to get stronger, leaner and jacked beyond belief with the balance of functional training to top it off. This finds a happy balance between looks and movement capabilities.

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4. Venture Unisex Heated Insoles

Yes, that’s correct: RECHARGEABLE HEATED INSOLES!!! These glorious products show that technology kicks ass!!! In a winter climate like Edmonton, I can’t think of anything better to keep you warm than some insanely awesome heated insoles that warm your toesies and keep you happy. All while there’s only 6 hours of daylight. and it’s -40. Why the hell do I still live here!?!?!??

5. Apple iPad

I’m trying to figure out whether to get an iPad or a MacBook Pro next year, and am starting to lean in this direction. I mean, it can do a lot of the same things, but costs about $1500 less. In the meantime, this little beauty just keeps seeming to look better and better.

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6. Robot Chicken Seasons 1-4 box set

I know, I know, I’m a big dork for this, but this is probably one of the best shows you’ve probably never even heard of, and they’re obsessed with 80’s cartoons. Imagine what would happen if Rainbow Bright was a psychopathic serial killer in claymation? Yeah, that’s what I thought.

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7. DeWalt Job-site Table Saw

Nothing, and I mean NOTHING, can give you a gold star on your man-card like cutting some shit on something like this. I don’t care if you live in a windowless condo in the middle of Urbanopolis Mc-HolyShitThisTownisHuge, just having this in your closet will make everyone respect you a little more

“Hey, what’s this in your closet?”

“Oh, it’s just my table saw.”

“Wow, you’re definitely cooler than me, and I want to learn everything I can from you. Do you have a newsletter? I want to sign up to get emails on how to be a better man.”

8. Drive

One of the better books I’ve read this year, it looks at how we are inspired and motivated to succeed in any goal we set for ourselves, as well as how to motivate those you work with.

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9. Assholes Finish First

Ever wanted to hear drunk-stories told by a guy that sounds like that guy we all know who gets drunk, sleeps with anything with two legs and a heart beat (including, for some reason, a strange fascination with little people), and causes mayhem everywhere he goes for fun? This is the book of that guy.

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10. Travel Roller

Probably one of the best investments I’ve ever made, this little guy packs easily and makes it easy to bring a foam roller and SMR pack with you everywhere. I’ve had mine for about three years, and it still looks new and works perfectly. If you get anything this year, make it this.

11. GloboGym Membership

At World Health, I am White Goodman, and I always throw straight from the Peekaboo formation. We should mate. I mean date.

12. Online Training from Yours Truly

Why not? You’ve got nothing to lose. Except painful joints, body fat, fears, and any sense of weakness you may have. Don’t worry, it will all be replaced by enough awesome to make you want to drop-kick a kitten straight across the street. It’s probably the best deal out there, next to snow tires.

For the Fitness Professional:

1. Muscle Imbalances Revealed 2.0

What can I say? I’m biased. I’m also one of the authors. Buy my stuff and you’ll help me afford a good wedding and maybe a kickass honey moon with the missus. Plus, you’ll learn a lot of cool new stuff about the hips, knees, feet, low back, and be able to help clients in all sorts of cool and awesome ways that will make you and a lot of clients very happy.

2. BodyByBoyle Online

I’ve seen a lot of products similar to this, but none have the functionality that this one comes with, nor the library of exercises, pre-designed programs, or the ease of use with dozens of tutorials to get the most out of every aspect of it. This can help make a trainer an enterprise, instead of simply an employee.

3. Flip Camera

Nothing makes taking a video of yourself performing a cool exercise that you want all six of your friends to see easier than using one of these little babies. The USB plug-and-play functionality makes it easier to upload than getting wasted on eggnog while wearing an ugly Christmas sweater.

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4. Vibram FiveFingers

Nothing says “Hey, look at me!! I’m way cooler than you because everything I do is of the utmost functional importance, and my shoes tell you that!!” like a pair of shoes with individual toe holes. Vibrams have kind of caught on like fire, and the people who wear them are pretty intense about it, so why not be one of them??

5. Airex Pads

Any trainer should have these in their back pocket. Primarily because they’re soft and if you sit on one, it makes your bum happy.

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6. TRX Pro Pack

If you’ve been a trainer for any length of time, you know how versatile a TRX can be, and how much pain you can cause someone with nothing more than a fancy nylon strap and a few handles. Get this and you can turn any door frame into your own personal studio. Combine it with the Travel Roller and the Power Blocks and you’ve got a home gym made easy and cheap for less than $600.

7. Shake Weight

Sorry, couldn’t resist 😉

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8. X Box with Kinect

Nothing unwinds a busy trainer after a hard day of working out clients like watching insurgents heads explode in Black Hawk Down. Plus, the new generation of motion capture technology in the Kinect and in the Playstation version are both pretty fantastic.

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9. Starbucks Gift Cards

Hey, all that energy and enthusiasm and sunshine blown up your butt doesn’t come easy, and when the hours get longer we all need a little happiness in a cup.

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10. Kettlebells

No namby pamby 3 pound pink kettlebells here. Just pure solid iron. And shipping costs. Lots of shipping costs. Probably better to find one locally than to pay the shipping.

Well, hopefully this little shopping list has proven to be somewhat helpful. I think if you order now, you might actually be able to get the stuff before Christmas, so HUSTLE UP PEOPLE!!! This is gonna be the best Christmas ever.