A new sweater or a scented candle might momentarily lift a loved one's spirits, but why not give a gift that actually lengthens her life? This year, give a stronger heart, sturdier bones or greater endurance to the women you care about by bestowing fabulous gifts of fitness upon them!

Before you proceed, a word of warning: When giving fitness gifts, you'll want to tread lightly. Telling your best friend you've bought her a body-fat analyzer or signed her up for Weight Watchers may chill, rather than thrill, your friendship. "Any gift that relates to her figure can be a big mistake," warns Josh Dobbs, a professor of exercise science at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. "You see it as helpful; she sees it as you thinking she's fat." Instead, position the gift as something that says you want to keep her around in your life — for the long haul. Here, six suggestions from fitness experts for gifts that keep on giving.

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Pedometer

For optimal health, experts advise walking 10,000 steps every day. If you do that, you will have walked roughly five miles and burned approximately 500 calories. A handy strap-on step counter can help you track your progress and even keep your goal in the forefront of your mind — encouraging you to take the stairs, park at the far end of the parking lot and just generally step up your stepping out. And believe it or not, this seemingly small fitness gift may pack a greater punch than something more extravagant. "People are more willing and able to achieve their goals when you encourage small changes, such as walking more each day," explains Wendy Artman, spokeswoman for the fitness advocacy group America on the Move.
Cost: $15 for an Omron HJ-112 Digital Premium Pedometer
Perfect for: Coach potatoes who need motivation to take it one step at a time.

Stability ball

This is the perfect piece to round out anyone's workout routine, according to the American Council on Exercise, which, after surveying 1,500 fitness professionals for their top pick in exercise gear, concluded that stability balls are the best bet under $50. These inflatable rubber balls are excellent for working the lower back and abs, as well as improving overall strength. The balls generally come in two sizes; women under 5'7" should choose the smaller, 55-centimer ball. Remember to throw in a stability ball-specific workout video so she'll know what to do.
Cost: $20 for The Firm 55-cm stability ball
Perfect for: Works for practically everyone: your mom, pregnant sister or your office buddy.

Online personal trainer

Have a travel-loving, tuned-into-technology pal who's struggling to find time for fitness? Help her stay motivated whether she's at home, away on business or gallivanting abroad by signing her up for a "virtual trainer" through an online service such as MyFitnessExpert.com. There she'll get to choose a real-life personal trainer who will construct a workout program based on her goals, fitness level and any equipment she may have handy. One of the greatest things about virtual trainers is that, unlike their in-the-flesh counterparts, they travel with you to all ends of the globe, reminding you to forgo the hotel room service and head down to the fitness center — all via nagging e-mails! "It's much more economical than a trainer at the gym," explains MyFitnessExpert.com's Fabiolo Zanzo, "and you can work out in the convenience of your home or even on the road."
Cost: From $9.95 per month
Perfect for: Road warriors and traveling techies who need some extra encouragement.

Heart-rate monitor

For a woman already in the workout groove, one welcome addition might be a wireless heart rate monitor to let her accurately gauge her exercise intensity. When you wear a heart monitor, "you don't have to guess about how hard or easy you are working out — you know," explains Northern California-based fitness coach Gillian Hood-Gabrielson. But monitors don't just tune you in to what's going on with your body while you exercise, they also enable you to get the most out of your aerobic workout by calculating and tracking the amount of time you stay at your target heart rate.
Cost: Starting at $60 at Bodytronics.com
Perfect for: Hard-core exercisers looking to hone their workout.

Gym membership

Remember what was said earlier about the perils of purchasing a health club membership for someone? Disregard that. The one possible exception — if you can afford the splurge — may just be a gift membership to the swanky Sports Club/LA (now in 10 cities nationwide). The newest club, in Miami, offers a smorgasbord of exercise classes, from ballet to boot camp. Plus, their holiday gift box contains all the desirable accoutrements: a T-shirt, a cap and a water bottle — plus the chance to sweat in close proximity to stars such as George Clooney or Derek Jeter! Trust us, she'll forgive the faux pas.
Cost: $520 for three months
Perfect for: Single-gal celebrity spotters.