Christmas is upon us. However much you may love it, there's no getting away from the fact that, for many of us, 'tis the season of over-indulgence, rampant consumerism, and preparing to greet the new year a pound or two heavier. It's also a time of frantic present-buying, trying to find the perfect something for the loved ones in your life.

Happily, these two issues can both be addressed with gym vouchers. They're the perfect antidote to the sloth that sets in as festivities progress. They show that you really care about someone. They suit a wide range of people. They tap into the increasingly popular trend of giving people experiences rather than things as gifts. And you easily add finishing touches that make them a truly personal gift. Consider these variations:

“You Can Do It!” Gym vouchers
Know someone who's been meaning to get fit for ages but just can't seem to get motivated to get out there and get started? Give them a friendly and supportive metaphorical kick up the backside with a gym voucher!

“Try Something New” Gym vouchers
Give a regular gym-goer stuck in a rut the opportunity to try something new. With so many specialist gyms out there, you're spoilt for choice. So what will it be – a session at a boxing gym? The chance to try out a new exercise class? An appointment with a personal trainer? Here's your chance to get creative!

“Pampering Time” Gym vouchers
Going to the gym doesn't have to be all sweat and hard work! Many gyms now sell themselves as much as a haven for some me-time as a place to get fit. Choose a gym or a health club with a sauna, jaccuzzi and a steam room, preferably offering health and beauty treatments like massages, manicures and facials, and treat yourself and a friend to some quality relaxation!

Many gyms now offer flexible pay-as-you-go rates. These gyms are ideal for gym vouchers, as you don't have to commit yourself to any extended period of membership. You can give someone anything from a single session's workout to a six-month gym pass that will allow them to attend whenever they like.

If you're interested in finding out more about gyms that offer flexible pay-as-you-go rates, visit www.payasugym.com

You can find Gurnell Leisure Centre on Ruislip Road East in Ealing, London, W13. Once you’ve arrived you are spoilt for choice with the vast range of activities and fantastic facilities.
Activities to get you going

• Swimming – There are 2 swimming pools at Gurnell Leisure Centre which are open from 7am – 9pm. If you are up for a challenge try out the very impressive Olympic-sized 50m pool. For those wanting to get fit there is 6 lane swimming available each weekday morning and Thursday evening. For those simply looking for fun with the family there is a 25m leisure pool. For those wanting to learn or improve their skills, swimming lessons are also available.

• Gym – After an induction by a fitness instructor you will have access to a top-notch gym. The state-of-the-art equipment will ensure you maximise the benefits of your training time. Choices include treadmills and rowers for cardiovascular workouts and resistance equipment such as free weights and Swiss balls.

To help you achieve your fitness goals there are qualified personal trainers who will create a personalised exercise programme just for you. You can be sure of challenging but fun, effective and varied workouts that will get you great results. As if that’s not enough, the trainers can also advise you on nutrition and lifestyle choices.

If you need that extra incentive but don’t want a personal trainer, consider using the new Aspirational Mapping Programme. This is a new tool which designs you an exercise programme tailored to your needs. Simply complete an online questionnaire for immediate results.

• Group Exercise classes – over 50 fun classes a week are available for beginners and advanced levels. All classes are held in the large, mirrored studio. Whether you’re wanting to improve your cardio, boost your flexibility or merely relax in a calm class, Gurnell Leisure Centre will have the class to suit you. Choices include Body Pump, Pilates, Box Fit, Latin American Dancing and Yoga.

• Aerobiking – for a wheely-great experience visit the purpose-built aerobiking studio! Aerobiking (often called Spinning) is an indoor class based on stationery bikes. It includes body conditioning and core stability which gives you a highly effective cardiovascular workout.

Sauna and Steam Room – for the ideal way to unwind after all your hard work, try out the steam room. Benefits of saunas include flushing toxins from your system, relieving stress, relaxing muscles and cleansing the skin.

Grass Football Pitches –Whether you have football-mad children or if you just love a kickabout yourself, the football facilities at Gurnell are well worth a shot. There are three 11-a-side pitches available to book from Monday to Saturday.

For no-commitment deals at Gurnell Leisure Centre or other local gyms, visit www.payasugym.com and see how that gets you going!

There is a belief that traditional running shoes might lead to injury more than these barefoot styles. But many people are switching their own trainers for these new styles because of fad popularity rather than any scientific research.
There are many factors to achieving a pain-free workout but before you trade in a good pair of trainers, make sure you know what you are looking for.

If you’re are using trainers purely for running then you should consider what time of running you’ll be doing. Is it on or off road? And how do you run? All these things will be taken into consideration if you go to a specialised sports shop, and they’ll can talk you through whether you need cushioned shoes for minimum arch support and midsole cushioning; motion control shoes for runners who tend be flat-footed or strike hard on their heels (overpronators), trail shoes for off roading; performance shoes for racing or stability shoes for mild overpronators who have normal to low arches. You might even be looking for a track shoe for some speedwork.

Whichever sport you’re taking on, remember to use your footwear for that specific sport only. If you use a certain pair of trainers for your running training, then you shouldn’t really use them to play tennis or do your aerobics class, because you wear different parts of the shoe and if you buy a special pair of trainers for one reason, you don’t want to lose the stability of that shoe and make yourself prone to injury.

While some studies show that running with a barefoot style is different – promoting a forefoot or midfoot strike instead of a rearfoot or heel strike, which is what is commonly promoted by traditional running shoes, they don’t actually prove such a style guarantees fewer or less-severe injuries.

Discerning runners and gym-goers would be wise to focus on their own particular biomechanics and what they want out of a training shoe. There is no single “best” way to run, and what works for one runner might not work for you.

It’s important to get footwear that you feel comfortable and supported in whether it’s for a sprint round the track, a jog round the park or a session at one of the gyms in London. Preventing injury by wearing good trainers is a better idea than having to spend weeks, if not months, resting up because you’ve injured yourself through impractical footwear.

So ask yourself, do I need a structured trainer, or can I get away with the barefoot shoe?

If you want to visit the gyms in London on a pay as you go basis, why not visit www.payasugym.com.