Searching for the perfect Valentine’s gift can be tricky. Your partner may call it a Hallmark holiday and suggest that you get them nothing. I did that. It was 2018 and although I said that, I must not have meant it. Because the year that my husband stopped at Walgreens on his way home from work and grabbed a tumbler at checkout that read “Coffee, Please” is etched in my memory. I’m hardly in a position to judge. Last Valentine’s Day, I gave my super-athletic husband with abs you could wash clothes off of a box of chocolates. Disciplined athletes need chocolate like a fish needs a bicycle.
It’s frustrating to give your partner a gift they don’t like and won’t use. If we’re going to embrace capitalism and give gifts, let’s give them with thoughtful research. (I’m not saying to give them gear for their sport. Athletes tend to like to pick out their own big ticket items, like bikes, golf clubs, and running shoes.)
Here are some curated gifts you could give an active partner that reflect planning, consideration, and advanced purchase. Impersonal gifts may feebly attempt to say “I love you.” Personal gifts, like these, say “Uniquely you matter to me.”
Here are Valentine’s Gifts for Active Partners
Echelon ThriveX Smart Cold Plunge Pro – Cold Immersion Therapy
Echelon is a trusted name in global fitness. An acquisition in June 2024 enabled the company to reposition itself from being a connected fitness equipment giant to strategically but rapidly becoming a wellness titan. In June 2024, Echelon acquired advanced recovery leader, ThriveX.
The innovative ThriveX Smart Cold Plunge was developed by a diverse team of athletes, biohackers, and fitness and wellness enthusiasts to revolutionize cold-therapy. Cutting-edge technology and personalized customization (controlled by an app on the user’s phone) make the ThriveX Smart Cold Plunge stand out in the world of recovery products that, as of lately, has become quite crowded.
Every respected fitness education agency supports the need for recovery. Those include the American College of Sports Medicine, American Council on Exercise, National Strength and Conditioning Association, National Academy of Sports Medicine, and The Cooper Institute.
One means of recovery is cold therapy, which is accessible through cold plunges. The benefits include temporary pain relief from constricting blood flow, decreased inflammation, accelerated muscle recovery after strength, speed, endurance, or interval workouts, and improved circulation. Some studies have shown cold plunges can be helpful in aiding sleep by reducing stress and alleviating anxiety and the blues due to release of endorphines. (I have an upcoming article to PFP Magazine, titled “Cold Plunges: What We Know, What We Don’t Know, The Bottom Line.”)
There’s one thing for sure that regular exposure to cold plunging will do: build your resolve to endure hard things. If you can withstand three minutes in ice cold water (as low as 36 degrees in the ThriveX Smart Cole Plunge Pro), your brain and nervous system learn that you can tolerate uncomfortable tasks outside of the water, too. If you want to run a faster race, stay calm in a nursery full of crying babies, PR your barbell dead lifts at the gym, give up sugar, jog an ultramarathon, quit smoking/drinking/doom-scrolling or any obstacle you’re not sure you can weather, start with adhering to a regular cold plunge practice. Then, you may harness the spirit of this (author unknown) quote, “When fate whispers to the warrior, ‘You cannot withstand the storm.’ The warrior whispers back, ‘I am the storm’.”
Echelon ThriveX Smart Cole Plunge Pro (1.0 HP) is available for $4,599.99 at echelonfit.com.
MUDGEAR – COMPRESSION FABRIC FOR OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
If your partner hikes, rucks, mountain bikes, trail runs, or participates in adventure races, MudGear is the unrivaled top apparel choice for their activities. The compression fabric and durability are the best in class. Depending on your budget, you could grab a pair of socks (they’re all my favorites, but my favorite of favorites are the tall compression socks) or love them big by pairing the socks with a pair of compression shorts or capri tights, calf sleeves (my husband swears by these for his long runs), a tac hat, obstacle race gloves, and/or MudGear’s brand new women’s performance sports bra.
Prices range from $29 (tac hat) to $139 (Ruck boots) at www.mudgear.com.
LTH NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS
No supplement is so great that it replaces whole foods. And no diet is so great that is couldn’t be improved with supplements.
The problem (and it’s a big problem) is that the supplement industry is loosely regulated. Much of what you buy at supermarkets and health food stores contain artificial flavors, colors and texture enhancers that mask low-quality ingredients and often use tiny doses of ingredients to save money and still be able to make label claims.
Life Time Health’s (LTH) supplements contain natural flavors, colors and sweeteners. All LTH supplements are non-GMO and gluten-free. Every ingredient is used science-backed, dietitian-developed doses designed for health efficacy. Average industry practice tests raw materials for purity every five batches, but LTH supplements are quarantined upon arrival and every batch is tested for identity, purity and strength. LTH supplements are tightly temperature and humidity regulated to preserve the integrity of the supplements. You’ll need to create an account to purchase LTH supplements, but don’t worry- that won’t cost you anything (you’re not joining a gym, you’re just buying nutrition!). If you enter trainer code 64668 at checkout, my magic wand (trainer code) will take 10% off your total order and an additional 10% off autoship if you select to have the order autoshipped every 1, 2, or 3 months!
The two supplements I take regularly are grass-fed whey protein and collagen peptides.
LTH Grass-Fed Whey concentrate is sourced from pasture-raised, grass-fed cattle from New Zealand. If lactose causes you gastrointestinal distress, instead of whey concentrate, opt for LTH Grass-Fed Whey isolate. It is lactose-free.
My husband struggles with all dairy, so he chooses to supplement with LTH vegan protein. It is a pea protein powder.
If you can handle dairy, I recommend whey. For amino acid absorption, whey comes out tops. But, hey, not everyone can handle dairy. That’s okay. You can opt for the vegan option.
LTH Collagen Peptides are sourced from pasture-raised, grass-fed cows from Argentina, Columbia and Brazil. The cattle graze on grass that is free of synthetic pesticides, and they are never injected with growth hormone. As we age, we all naturally lose collagen, a protein that supports skin, hair, and nails. Collagen also helps to maintain strong connective tissue. I’ve struggled for three years with proximal hamstring tendinopathy on the left leg and for a few months on the right leg, too. Science says that protein can help with strengthening tendons. A specific protein, collagen, is especially useful here. The verdict is still out on how well supplemental collagen is absorbed. But to stack the deck in my favor, I only rely pure hydrolyzed collagen peptides. I know I’m getting that with LTH Grass-Fed Collagen Peptides.
In the past, I have used unflavored collagen peptides. (I stir it in my black coffee and it makes it nice and creamy!) Lately, I’ve been quasi-obsessed with the cinnamon roll flavor. It’s a limited edition product. THAT in my coffee says “good morning” with all the flavor of an Italian biscotti but without the undesirable biscotti-effect on my blood sugar. I also mix these collagen peptides in with my dairy-free yogurt. (I don’t know where almond milk-coconut cream based dairy-free yogurt has been all of my life, but I love it! Paired with the cinnamon roll collagen peptides, it’s seriously so yummy!)
Here’s a recipe that you can make for your Valentine that uses over-ripe bananas as the sweetener and packs in more protein and fiber than you’ve ever had in a Valentine’s Day Cake. The cottage cheese makes it moist and delicious. LTH Collagen Peptides – Cinnamon Roll Natural Flavor make it earthy, floral, and slightly sweet.
Protein-Packed Banana Nut Cake
2 ripe bananas, mashed
3 eggs
1/2 cup 1% cottage cheese
1 scoop Collagen Peptides – cinnamon roll natural flavor
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups almonds
1/2 cup rolled oats
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon (I like Saigon cinnamon. It has higher concentration of essential oil, making it sweeter, hotter, and more potent.)
1 medium-sized apple, cored and chopped
1/2 cup walnuts
Preheat oven to 350. Line a loaf pan with parchment paper and spay with nonstick spray. Blend oats in a good blender until fine, like flour. Pour into a bowl. Blend almonds in a good blender until fine, like flour. Pour into the bowl with the oats. Stir in the cinnamon, baking soda and salt. Set aside. Blend the cottage cheese and one egg until curds are smooth. Add the additional 2 eggs, bananas and vanilla extract. Blend. Add 3/4 of the chopped apple. Blend some more. Dump the dry ingredients from the bowl into the wet ingredients in the blender. Combine. Lastly, stir in the 1 scoop of collagen peptides. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Stir in the remaining 1/4 chopped apple along with the 1/2 cup walnuts. Bake for 40-50 minutes.
LTH supplements vary in price from $45-75. (Cinnamon Roll collagen peptides are currently on deep sale for $45. My additional discount still applies!) Take 10% off your order plus an additional 10% off autoship with trainer code 64668 at checkout. Orders over $99 qualify for free temperature-controlled shipping at shop.lifetime.life.
COALATREE SWITCHBACK SHIRT– MADE FROM RECYCLED COFFEE GROUNDS
The Switchback shirt by Coalatree is the perfect gift for the active man. It is versatile enough to be worn on a hike or as a casual shirt, out and about. Product features include: waterless dye technique, UV protection, odor resistant, cooling fabric, hidden and secure pockets, stain and water resistant, made from recycled materials, sustainably made, and fair wage for workers. It packs down well in luggage without wrinkling, which is ideal for light travel. Daniel is modeling a size medium in blue. The Switchback shirt is available in sizes X-Small to XX-Large. With 90 five-star reviews, this Valentine’s gift is sure to please the active man in your life. Mens Switchback Shirt is on sale for $59.99 (regularly $79.00) at coalatree.com.
ATHLETIC EVENT REGISTRATION – TOUR DE SCOTTSDALE
Couples who play together stay together. Any event would be a fun and unexpected for an active partner for Valentine’s Day. (Don’t make it too unexpected. An ultra-marathon registration for a partner who prefers 5Ks might be too much love!)
Daniel and I ran a marathon together in 2007. It was unspeakable recreational companionship. The weather was uncooperative and the race was a beating. When I got tired, he pumped me up. When his IT band flared up, I kept him going. We both limped through the finish line like little old people (we were young 20-somethings), but we did it together.
This Valentine’s month, we’ll do it again. Daniel and I are tag-teaming the Cowtown Half Marathon on Sunday, February 23 in Fort Worth, Texas. That will be too soon for your loved one and you to put in miles and join us if you haven’t been training with running. Another event we have coming up, our Valentine’s Gift to one another (and his 2/19 birthday gift!) is a couple’s flight to Scottsdale, Arizona + stay at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess and Boulders Resort & Spa Scottsdale with the purpose of participating in the Tour de Scottsdale.
A low-impact, scenery-on-steroids event we have on the horizon is the Tour de Scottsdale bike ride on Saturday, April 12. Scottsdale, Arizona is simply the most beautiful city in the southeast. You need to visit. Why not visit on a bicycle with your Valentine? It will be the best way to see the city. Choose from Metric Century (100KM – 62 miles) or Half Metric Century (50KM – 32 miles) distance options. With over two months to train, this would be an ideal-adventurous “couples’ goal” Valentine’s gift.
Registration fee ranges from $40-$300 with a nominal SignUp fee at tourdescottsdale.org. This athletic event supports local non-profit charities.
NOMATIC – THE OUTSET PANT
It’s hard to beat a great pair of men’s pants. The Outset Pant is comfortable, stretchy, breathable, and up to any function from trekking the trails to teeing up for a round of golf! These pants stay wrinkle-free, even if they get wadded up in the bottom of your bag. The fabric is unique in that it uses a polyester thread that is warp-knitted to created a four-way stretch without using spandex or elastic. The material also has an eco-friendly coating to repel liquids and stains. These pants are built for durability. The Outset Pant by NOMATIC is available for $129.99 at nomatic.com.
Cocomo Coconut Peanut Butter – Like a Macaroon for the Health-Conscious
Read the labels on the back of peanut butter jars at your grocer and you’ll be astonished how many fillers and sweeteners are in most jars. Sometimes, sugar is the first ingredient, meaning that there is more sugar in the jar than roasted peanuts! This is maddening to me, because many of my clients grab a jar of peanut butter and think that they are making a wise, protein-packed, healthy fat decision. Not all peanut butter is created equal. Label-reading is crucial.
Cocomo coconut peanut butter is USDA certified-organic and contains only six ingredients: organic roasted peanuts, coconut syrup, coconut cream, coconut oil, palm stearin, and sea salt.
For Valentine’s Day, you want to give something unique and sweet. Cocomo coconut peanut butter tastes like a creamy macaroon. I’m calling it a macaroon for health-conscious people. It’s gluten-free, vegan friendly, GMO free, contains no artificial flavors, and uses ethically and sustainably sourced palm.
I subbed Cocomo Coconut Peanut Butter for the NuttZo in my most recent batch of these Brookie Cookies. The result was so delicious that I’m putting them in heart-shaped tins and gifting them to personal training clients for Valentine’s Day. Try it for a slightly sweeter, more tropical, “take-me-away, Valentine” version of the Brookie Cookie. (The cookies also use Life Time vegan protein and collagen peptides, recommended above.)
If you don’t have time to whip up Brookie Cookies with Cocomo Coconut Peanut Butter, do this: order a jar for your Valentine. When the package arrives, tie two spoons on top with a ribbon. Plan a Valentine’s Day hike. (If you’re in the Austin-area, I recommend Bill Pickett Trail, Cedar Breaks Trail, Garey Park equestrian trails, River Place Trail, Pennybacker Bridge Trail, or Mount Bonnell.) Swoon and spoon with your love with Cocomo Coconut Peanut Butter, right out of the jar!
Cocomo Organic Coconut Peanut Butter is available for $15 on Amazon.
ENTER TO WIN A FREE WEDDING- FOR PICKLEBALL PLAYERS
Couples who share a love for pickleball can enter for the chance to say “I do” in an unforgettable courtside celebration with a free wedding on June 14, 2025. This special event will mark the first-ever wedding hosted at The Pickle Lodge.
Couples who met while playing pickleball, or share a love for the sport, are invited to enter the giveaway by creatively sharing how pickleball has played an important role in their journey together. The winning couple will receive an unforgettable wedding experience, celebrating their union in the place where their passion for the game, and their love for one another unite.
As a state-of-the-art venue, The Pickle Lodge is the perfect setting for this unique and special celebration. The winning couple will enjoy a one-of-a-kind wedding on Saturday, June 14th, 2025, including a complimentary hotel stay, wedding package for 100 guests, and more.
The Perfect Match wedding features local sponsors from Butler County, Ohio. The winning couple will receive a custom wedding cake from Lulu’s Sweets Boutique, pizza catering from Two Cities Pizza, craft beer from Third Eye Brewing Company, a custom pickleball floral arrangement from Running on Blooms, a gift certificate and basket from Frannie & Joe Bridal, and much more.
The Pickle Lodge opened in July 2023. It is one of the largest and most dynamic pickleball facilities in the country, offering a pickleball paradise for players of all skill levels. The Lodge spans 60,000 square feet, featuring 17 state-of-the-art indoor courts and an additional six outdoor courts.
How to Enter:
Couples can submit their pickleball love stories at ThePerfectMatchWedding.com by 11:59pm on February 14th, 2025. Stories should highlight how pickleball brought them together, or plays a significant role in their relationship. The winning couple will be announced in February 2025.
For more information, wedding details, and submission guidelines, please visit: ThePerfectMatchWedding.com
BB’s Bio
Brook Benten, M.Ed.
I am a certified personal trainer and life coach in Austin, TX. I took my hobby of creative writing to a professional level in 2012 when I began freelance writing for Prevention Magazine. Initially, my writing was scientific. I would submit articles using jargon, like actin and myosin. My editor, Jenna Bergan Southerland, would tweak the esoteric draft with conversational language. With time, I developed a knack for writing in that tone. I fretted that allowing footloose and fancy-free words in my head to make their way to paper would make the reader think I was dim-witted. As a woman, that is a valid and ubiquitous concern. But ultimately I decided– let them. I could impress others in my industry who already understand human physiology. Or I could entertain, educate, and enlighten the 334 million other Americans who do not know these things. I’d reach them with personality, heart, relatability and a message. Fast-forward to now and and my articles are the first things that populate on the internet with common searches, like “How to learn to do a pull-up,” “How to get abs and keep them,” and the like. My first two books, Lift Light, Get Lean and Sweat with Brook Benten have sold almost 25,000 copies. I’ve just released a third: 10 Minutes to Slim and Sober.
In thirteen years as a writer, no one has cared that I know sliding filament theory (besides maybe my exercise physiology professor. Hi, Dr. Lloyd). They want to know how they can feel better. That is what matters. It is why I write.