Holiday shopping made easy. Save your strength for the workout. Over the next five pages, we feature plenty of ideas from a few bucks to a few Benjamins. Find that special something for everyone on your list.

CYCLING

Stuck between gears in finding something special for your favorite biker? INstride asked Barbara and Joe Anderson of Bloomington Bicycle Club for their essentials. The couple shared bow-worthy ideas from the road in Arizona where they were visiting family and friends. And, of course, experiencing the open road, on wheels but out of the car.

“Wherever we go, we cycle,” Barbara says. So wherever you go shop, keep these picks in mind.

» MORE: Photos of cycling gifts

STOCKING STUFFER (UNDER $25)

Genuine Innovations C02 Tire Inflator Ultraflate Plus: You’ll be thanked for this little life-saver come spring and summer. This cartridge is easy to use and will save any stranded cyclist from the dreaded flat tire. No pumping needed, just grip the valve and it inflates from there. Save the gadget and buy refills for less than $5. SRP: $19.99

Annual membership: Why not spin your wheels with others? “Another good gift is a membership to a bicycling organization where they can enjoy like-minded people,” says Barbara. Meet friends and enjoy the perks of weekly rides, route maps and newsletters. Cost: $15 individual; $20 family Bloomington Bicycle Club

MID-RANGE ($25-$100)

Bell Solar Helmet: Cover yourself—or someone—with this favorite brand among riders. “Top of our list is a bicycle helmet,” Barbara says. “If you’ve had a fall you need to replace it, if it’s old it needs to be replaced.” Experts recommend grabbing a new one every three years. This particular headgear is affordable and comfortable. Each comes with a lock lever in the back for customization and 23 vents. The Bell Solars come in a range of fun, bold colors (red, blue, yellow). SRP: $35

Blackburn Voyager 3.3/Mars 1.0 combo front & rear lights: These reflectors provide safety, keeping potential close-calls with other road warriors far away. Lifetime warranty on the pair: red for the tail, white for the head. srp: $31.99

TOP-SHELF ($100 AND UP)

Blackburn Trakstand Super Fluid Bike Trainer: Great gift for this time of year as many cyclists are leaving the cold, dark roads behind. This contraption—the size of a small rack—allows that outdoor bike to take rides all year long. The stationary stand is perfect for staying in shape or training for future races indoors. Bonus: Comes fully assembled. Put your muscle into the new toy, not putting it together. Lifetime warranty. SRP: $229.99

Bike Friday Tandem Traveler XL: For that person or couple who’s been extra good this year. This compact, lightweight traveling bike breaks down into two cases. The Andersons tote their tandem on every trip, and have for seven years including a week-long Mexico trek. “We’ve ridden it from Coco Beach to Key West on a bike tour.” SRP: $2,298 at www.bikefriday.com.

—SARAH MORIN

AEROBICS

Help the Jane Fonda in your life step it up this coming year. For perspiration inspiration, INstride checked in with Melinda Davis, aerobics fitness instructor at the Barbara B. Jordan YMCA in Martinsville. Davis suggests focusing on the fundamentals.

» MORE: Photos of aerobics gifts

STOCKING STUFFER (UNDER $25)

Klean Kanteen: A no-brainer gift for the person who likes to sweat it out, but needs to take in water. “You have to keep hydrated while working out,” Davis says. “That’s major.” Klean Kanteen is eco and budget friendly. The adult sippie-cup (27 ounce-model is the most popular) is made with non-leaching polypropylene number 5 or better known as stainless steel that will resist rust. SRP: $17.95

Danskin Deluxe Fitness Mat: This works for both the novice and experienced elevated-heart-rate-seekers. The covering — in this gorgeous electric blue hue — protects the back and head while on the floor. Think of it as a welcome mat for your body. “A lot of the clubs provide them, but it’s best to have one of your own,” Davis says. Carry it with ease by the convenient strap. SRP: $29.99

MID-RANGE ($25-$100)

Polar FS1 Watch Style Heart Rate Monitor Dark Blue: How apropos for a loved one: a device that looks after their ticker. “It helps with your training to know you’re in your zone,” Davis says. “So you know you’re not under-training, or over-training, to make your workout successful.” And it’s not just for aerobics. The cardiac tracker works for jogging, running, walking — anything that gets the blood flowing. SRP: $69.95

— A.J. NELSON

WEIGHT-LIFTING

Don’t leave your Hans or Frans in the cold this winter. Help pump them up with some goodies—a grip-enhancer and weight belt are possibilities. INstride consulted Marvin McGregor, who owns Phat Maccs Fitness in Martinsville with his wife, Angie.

This is our dumb-bells for dummies.

» MORE: Photos of weight-lifting gifts

STOCKING STUFFER (UNDER $25)

Sequoia Fitness MetaCal Body Fat Caliper: A great catch for those a little shy stepping on the scales at the gym. Or for weight watchers wanting to follow progress at home. These personal body fat testers measure the amount of loose skin around the middle section. The tracker comes with measurement charts for both men and women. McGregor explains that strenuous workouts can reduce the amount of body fat, but that fat loss might not show up just on the scales, where muscle mass may replace lost fat. SRP: $3.99

MID-RANGE ($25-$100)

Schiek Weight Lifting Gloves: McGregor recommends weight lifting gloves for any iron-lover, both men and women, and of all ages. “They’re going to give you a better grip and prevent callouses,” McGregor says. These grippers come with gel padding throughout the palm and thumb area. Weight gloves also offer some protection against viruses from other lifters. The Schieks are also washable. Cost: $34.95

Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey: A 5.15 pound tub of chocolate? Well, chocolate-flavored goodness to maintain and increase lean muscle mass. Anyone who is seriously building strength needs extra protein in their diet. “Sixty percent of that comes from diet,” McGregor says. Choosing a protein supplement is something that should be discussed with an expert before making a purchase. Cost: $24.99-39.99

— A.J. NELSON

SWIMMING

Ensure your favorite water-lover isn’t left dry this holiday with must-haves. And you can make a splash without much cash. “Swimming’s pretty economical in general,” says Bloomington competitive swimmer, Peter Finn. He suggests grabbing some basics to create a package. Goggles, caps and suits need replacing at some point. “It’s always nice to have extra.”

» MORE: Photos of swimming gifts

STOCKING STUFFER (UNDER $25)

Speedo Speed Socket Goggles: This aquatic eyewear nestles well above the nose for a custom and comfortable fit. Your peepers will be grateful for the lightweight lens that won’t fog up. Adjustable straps and nose piece hold the vision gear in place so all you have to focus on is your stroke. The specs can also be specialized with a prescription, Finn says of this favorite of his. “They don’t leak and they’ll last for a long time in chlorinated water.” SRP: $24.99

Speedo Silicone Flag Swim Cap: Not travelling to London in 2010 for competitive swimming? Well, for less than $10 you can at least look like an Olympian with this USA flag graphic. This silicone shell keeps hair in but puts patriotism out on display. Show your stars and stripes in the lane — wherever it may be. “I use the Speedo myself,” Finn says, who prefers a silicone cap for its durability. SRP: $9.99

Aqua Sphere Pull Buoy: This foam device gives your legs a break to work-out the arms. The float is lodged between the knees to support the body while the upper half is isolated for intensity. SRP: $9.95

MID-RANGE ($25-$100)

Water Gear Fins: Finn reaches for these flippers when he wants to kick up his training. These aqua-accessories come short or long, but all help in assisting with different techniques. For example, Finn pumps his legs in the rubber blades to practice the dolphin kick. SRP: $20-$34.95, depends on size.

—SARAH MORIN

RUNNING

The runners on your gift list don’t have to prop up their feet when snow covers the ground. All sorts of gear, from socks to treadmills, can keep them moving when winter hits. INstride’s Mike Lewis, and former my fitness INspiration, helps send you—and your favorite courier—on the way to winning the race.

» MORE: Photos of running gifts

STOCKING STUFFER (UNDER $25)

Under Armour Ventilator running socks: Can’t resist the thought of buying socks for stocking stuffers? The Ventilator label promises to prevent the growth of odor-causing bacteria. Enough said. SRP: $7.99 per pair.

MID-RANGE ($25-$100):

Under Armour fleece glove: Warm hands mean a lot on dark and cold runs. This pair sports reflective piping (making the runner more visible on dark winter runs) and a hidden backhand pocket to hold a key. SRP: $24.99

TOP SHELF ($100 AND UP):

Garmin Forerunner 405CX: This little wonder of technology will track your training — numbers like distance, speed, pace, calories used and heart rate — then send all the data wirelessly to your PC so you can study the results. You can even “race” a virtual partner. SRP: $369.99

Livestrong LS16.9T treadmill: Treadmills, like runners, come in all sizes and shapes — and price ranges. This highly rated model features Pioneer speakers that can play music from your iPod or MP3 player, built-in fitness journal and programs, inclines of up to 15 percent and speeds that range to 12 mph. And, like other Livestrong products, part of the proceeds go to the Livestrong Foundation and the fight against cancer. SRP: $2,499; more at www.livestrongfitness.com.

— MIKE LEWIS