Choosing The Right Running Gear

There are many things to enjoy about running. Running improves your heart and lung health. It boosts your metabolism and burns calories. It also helps clear your mind and improve your sense of well being. However, having the right gear and attire can definitely improve (and help you make the most of) the experience. Let’s look at the basics and then explore some of the fun and useful extras.

Running Gear Basics

Running shoes (Photo credit: Shopping Diva)

The only item you really need to have to run are a pair of good shoes. Your feet do a lot of work when you run. Wearing good running shoes helps you minimize impact, improve your form, and feel better during and after a run. Consider visiting a running specialty store to get a shoe fit and a gait analysis. They can recommend the best shoes for your foot, running style, and body mechanics.

Support Wear
Women need to run with a sports bra. It reduces friction on the breasts and keeps them in place so gravity doesn’t damage the tissue. Men may want to wear supportive compression briefs as well. These help keep the bits and pieces in place so they don’t bounce around - guys, you know what I'm talking about!

Socks
If you’re a barefoot runner or you don’t like running with socks then socks may not be a requirement for you. However, many runners do run with socks and it can be tricky to find the right socks. You want a pair that doesn’t bunch. You want them to wick away moisture and not cause friction and blisters or hot spots. Try different types of socks to find the ones that work best for you.

Bottoms
Women have the benefit of being able to choose between running shorts, skirts, and tights. Running skirts are fun to wear, they’re colorful and comfortable. Regardless of what you choose make sure there are no issues with friction. You want your body to be able to move freely without getting chafed by your clothing. Compression tights and shorts may offer additional support and faster muscle recovery.

Tops
Comfort is key here. Look for tops that wick away moisture and fit well without chafing. Sleeveless, short sleeve and long sleeve options are available. Find a style and fit that works for you. Cotton is usually a poor choice because it gets wet and stays wet. It can be uncomfortable. Women can also find tops that offer built in sports bras.

Leg Warmers (Photo credit: Team Traveller)

Fun Extras

Arm and leg warmers – arm and leg warmers serve a purpose. They keep your arms and legs warm. They’re wonderful on those days when it’s too warm to wear a coat but too cold to have bare skin. When you warm up, you can push the warmers up or down and stay the ideal temperature.

Hats – sun visors, baseball hats and winter hats are all useful and they can be a fun way to add style and personality to your running attire. In the summer look for lightweight hats with a visor and built in sweat band.

Remember you can start small. Buy a few foundation pieces and see how it goes. You may find that you prefer one style or material over another. As you add miles you can add to your running wardrobe too.


A Few Examples of Running Gear:
   

4 Tips For A Good Run

Let’s face it; some runs are better than others. Often, the key to a good run is a good attitude and the right equipment. The good attitude is up to you. One way to ensure you have a good mental running attitude is to relax. Remember why you are running and focus on enjoying the experience. Every run doesn’t need to have a purpose.

To make the most of it, here are a few tips to help you make sure you’re ready for your run:

1. Weather Conditions

Is it sunny out? Wear sunscreen. Sunglasses and/or a sun visor are helpful too. If it’s cold out, make sure you have a hat and gloves. A jacket and tights aren’t always necessary. However, if you get chilled easily, consider taking along a light jacket.

Is it raining? Consider bringing a pair of dry socks. Wet socks can cause blisters. If you need to stop and change your socks, a dry pair in your pocket is nice.

2. Personal Comfort

Running socks. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Sweat dripping into your eyes is distracting, painful, and easily prevented. Wear a hat with an absorbent rim; they make baseball hats and visors for runners with an absorbent band. Sunglasses that slide down your nose are uncomfortable too. A hat can keep the sun out of your eyes.

Find socks that don’t cause blisters. Every runner has their favorite brand or material. Thin wool running socks are great for wicking away moisture.

3. Gear and Gadgets

Many people enjoy running to music. If you carry an MP3 player make sure it is charged and positioned comfortably on your body. If you run with a water bottle make sure it suits your running style. Hand held bottles can get sweaty and your hand can cramp. Waist holders can restrict your digestion and breathing.

4. Safety

Make sure someone knows where you’re going and how long you’ll be gone. Additionally, make sure you have emergency contact information with you. A Road ID or other identification works well. If you’re running in the dark or at dawn or dusk, make sure you have reflective clothing on and are running in a low traffic area.

If you’re running on trails or by yourself consider taking a small pepper spray or mace with you. You never know when you’ll need it.

When you return from each run, jot the information down in your running journal. Track mileage and pace as well as any issues you had with gear or fitness. Tracking this information can help you continue to have successful runs.

Choosing Proper Fitness Apparel for Your Workout

If you've ever visited a sports apparel specialty store you may have felt overwhelmed with the wide range of clothing plus accessories that are available in the market. Specific sporting apparels like golf, fitness exercise, equestrian and yoga are everywhere - in fact, for many sports, you don't even need to go to a specialty store anymore. Apparel for sports like surfing or rafting and even mountaineering are now easy to find. Even wetsuits for surfing are abundant if you are in pretty much any ocean-side location. Sports apparel also include caps, batting gloves and rafting vests.

It can be a little confusing to choose what you need from all the available options. But having the right apparel can really help your workout go smoothly and comfortably, and in some cases, even minimize instances of injury.

Here's a short list on how to choose your sports and fitness apparel for several popular sports and fitness activities (click on the header of each category to view some examples, or shop for clothing):

Image by BEST PHOTO via Flickr1. Golf Apparel

Golf apparel can be found in any specialty sport or sporting goods store. Golf apparel is pretty simple, and usually includes a trouser with a t-shirt. In golf apparel, comfort is the most important factor. Chinos are also very popular golf wear. Hats and caps of varying designs and makes are also available. Of course you can also find more outlandish gear worn by some professional golfers.

2. Running / General Fitness Wear

Running apparel is best made with cotton to retain moisture that causes friction and might lead to possible chafing. Running shorts and tights including cotton socks are the basic running gear.  When running apparel is being chosen, try to select a base layer top which keeps you dry for an extended run. Comfortable and well-fitting running shoes are a MUST.

General fitness gear pertains to all kinds of apparel including aerobics and gymnastics. Multi-colored tights and leotards are often the best and most comfortable during a workout, and very easy to find. It should be quite elastic and also able to wick away moisture, so usually mixed fibers work best. This fitness gear must be selected with care. Choosing the proper material and correct size when selecting the apparel is a must.

Image by lululemon athletica via Flickr3. Yoga Apparel

Yoga apparel should be very comfortable and loose for easy movement. A t-shirt and a loose-fit short are basic yoga apparel which will keep you fresh and comfortable - and they're inexpensive. Designer yoga apparel is also available at special yoga stores. Yoga Capri pants and unitards are available at yoga apparel stores, and yoga pants have become quite popular and easy to find these days at many stores. Special Asana clothing can be found at very exclusive yoga outlets.

4. Athletic Apparel

Athletic apparel must be chosen with the climate and weather in thought. An apparel that is not suited for the weather will hinder the performance of an athlete. A very popular type of athletic wear is running or jogging pants with a drawstring waist. This type of athletic apparel can be purchased at many discount stores, and seeking out a specialty store is not necessary. All-weather gear is designed to keep most of the elements out, and should be used when performing outdoors in wet or cold conditions. An athlete depends on good athletic gear to perform at his best.

5. Equestrian Apparel

Equestrian gear is mainly about breeches and boots. There are specialty equestrian stores that stock clothing and other equipment for riding. Casual equestrian gear could be riding breeches matched with a plain shirt. The paddock boots available also at equestrian apparel stores complete the set for an equestrian. A pair of riding pants and a jersey can be bought at an equestrian apparel store. When having lessons on riding, you may want to look online for equestrian stores to see and choose an outfit which lets you ride with style and comfort. It can be a little pricey in some cases but if it's good quality it can last quite a long time, and will be well worth the price. Western-style gear is also available in specialty shops.