So, you’ve made a commitment to yourself: You want to start doing more exercise. That’s great! It never hurts to try and add a little more activity into your life, and to start taking care of your health a little better.
The next question after that is: What kind of exercise should you start to get into?
There are so many out there, and all of them have something to offer: Weightlifting is great for core strength and burning fat. Swimming is great for improving your general muscle and cardiovascular health, as well as great for building and toning your muscles.
The main problem with quite a lot of these activities, though, is that most, if not all of them, require a pretty high level of maintenance, or just aren’t feasible for most people. Not everyone has access to a gym or swimming pool in their local area, much less afford to pay for regularly going to it.
Sure, you can buy some gym equipment and use them at home instead, saving you a little money, but then you have to be able to maintain that expensive gear you bought if you want to avoid any serious injuries that might put you out of commission.
If you aren’t prepared to commit to that for a long period of time, it can get pretty tiresome very quickly.
Fortunately, there is another exercise that doesn’t have to deal with any of these issues: the simple art of running or jogging. It’s a great exercise for maintaining a good healthy body and is an excellent way of improving your cardiovascular system.
Not to mention that it’s great for reducing the chances of getting long-term illnesses, such as heart disease, or type-2 diabetes.
Plus, most people will have access to an area they can run in, whether the busy streets of an urban city or winding country paths that take you away from the hustle and bustle of the concrete jungle.
However, don’t make the mistake of just grabbing a coat and starting to run in whatever direction you like, thinking it’s as simple as that. There are still things you need to keep in mind when starting to run. One of the most important is what you need to wear whilst out and about.
The best part about running, however, is that, if you have all the necessary gear, you’ll be able to do it anywhere you go!
Here are some things you’ll want to keep in mind when deciding what to wear whilst you are out running.
Footwear
Shoes
Shoes are probably one of the first things you’ll consider when starting out on your running journey. Running shoes are a vital part of any runner’s inventory, whether they are a newcomer to exercising and sport, or a seasoned veteran with many marathons under their belt and heels.
If you’re just starting out on your running journey, you might feel a little unsure about buying a new pair of shoes that are just for running and may be tempted to simply use an older pair of shoes that you currently have.
This is not recommended. Your ordinary old shoes will almost certainly not be flexible enough to deal with the kind of movement your foot will be doing whilst you are running, and will quickly start to show signs of wear and tear in the parts of your shoe that will bend the most, especially around the throat line of the shoe (the part of the shoe below where the laces usually are).
There is a huge range of shoes you can pick from as a runner, with many tailored to very specific styles of outdoor activity. The most common kinds of outdoor exercise shoes will be running shoes or fitness walking shoes.
Both are made to be more flexible than your regular walking footwear, but will have slight differences in heel height, cushioning, and a few other factors. Make sure to do some research before you buy the first pair of running shoes that fit you, to see if they will cover your needs.
Socks
Although some good running shoes are important for running, an often overlooked part of the runner’s toolkit is the socks.
Running for long periods of time in some ill-fitting or ill-prepared socks can quickly lead to blistering and broken skin around the feet. Because of this, you’ll want to find some well-made sports socks that are both keep your feet blister-free, whilst also keeping them dry and warm, especially if you plan on running in the colder times of the year.
If possible, get your hands on a pair of low-friction socks, as they are designed specifically to help prevent blisters from forming. Nothing can discourage you from running faster than a bad blister on your sole!
Legwear
Shorts
If you’re looking for an item of clothing that is light and soft whilst you are out on your run, then you need to get yourself a good pair of running shorts.
Running in normal pants is not ideal, as most kinds of bottom wear will not give you a full range of motion that you might need when out on a run, and will cause chafing as you run, becoming increasingly uncomfortable and even painful if you continue to run in them. Plus, your normal pants don’t really allow for good airflow around your legs as you exercise.
For this reason, a good pair of shorts are a great addition to any runner’s wardrobe. Wearing them whilst out running will stop sores spots from forming as you run, and will give you much more freedom of movement.
There are a few materials that running shorts tend to be made from. Nylon shorts are great for getting airflow around your lower body, which will help you stay cool whilst running.
Shorts made from lycra don’t allow this as much, but are great for giving support, and will help stop chafing as you run. Make sure to carefully consider your options before buying your shorts,
Of course, shorts aren’t great for keeping your legs warm whilst you are out in the cold, even if your exercise is otherwise helping keep your temperature up. Fortunately, there are a few alternatives that can help out with this issue.
Tights
A supportive set of tights are a great companion to any short-wearing runner on a cold day. Their stretchy and supportive material makes for a great insulator against colder environments you might find yourself in as a runner.
Plus, they don’t have the hang-ups that ordinary pants will have, such as chafing, causing drag, or dangling whilst you are in a sprint.
If you are a little self-conscious about wearing tights out in the open, don’t worry: wearing them under a pair of shorts is a great way of getting the best of both items of clothing.
A good alternative to tights that you may also be interested in is what’s known as leggings. Also known as compression tights, they are a little thicker than tights and can be worn as their own separate piece of clothing, with no need for shorts or any other item of legwear.
If you aren’t comfortable about wearing both shirts and tights, you’ll definitely want to consider using leggings instead.
Sweatpants
Tracksuits and sweatpants are other forms of legwear you might want to consider when running. They function a lot more like pants than shorts, as they cover most of your legs whilst running.
Because of this, they are often a little baggy, and have a habit of picking up dirt or moisture quickly, especially if you step in a puddle, or are on a more natural and wildlife-filled running route.
Still, they do offer some benefits. They will keep your legs warmer than shorts usually do, and their bagginess will still allow your skin to breathe a little, letting sweat evaporate off of it as nature intended.
Plus, they can help you burn just that little extra energy whilst exercising, thanks to their heavier weight than shorts, whilst not being too encumbering, like normal pants.
Top wear
Vest/T-Shirt
A good piece of clothing for any good runner out there, no wardrobe made for running would be complete without them. However, when possible, make sure that you avoid using cotton material shirts. They tend to absorb moisture when you are moving, such as sweat, and will quickly start to smell.
More importantly, once they are wet, they tend to cling to your skin whilst you are sweating, making it even more difficult for your skin to breathe as you run, making the whole experience more uncomfortable, as you feel both hot and damp whilst you are running.
When running, try and keep an eye out for clothing made from materials like Nylon and Polyester. They are generally lighter materials, making it easier for you to run in them, and don’t cling to your skin as you sweat, which lets air travel around your skin and your body.
The lets the sweat from your body naturally evaporate, keeping you feeling cooler as you run.
Sports Bra
If you’re a woman, and you’re worried about needing some extra support for your chest whilst you are out running, then you’ll want to purchase a sports bra.
Your body may need some extra support for your breasts whilst running. Too much movement without support can cause the tissue around your breasts to become sore and tear, which can be very difficult to heal if it happens too much, or too often. For this reason, you want good support whilst out running.
But why not use an everyday bra, instead of a sports bra? Not only are they better at keeping chest movement to a minimum, but you also won’t be able to commit to a good running stride if you are not fully supported as well.
One run without a sports bra isn’t likely going to ruin your chest or your back. But if you are seriously considering making running a part of your daily or weekly routine, you’re going to want to invest in a few good sports bras.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Wear Jeans While Running?
Of all the items of clothing, you can wear whilst out running. Jeans are probably amongst the worst of all.
They are very heavy when running, making you tired much quicker than shorts or sweatpants would, and can easily start to chafe your skin if you are moving about in them too much, especially in the inner leg. Not only that, but jeans are probably some of the most restrictive clothes you can wear, in terms of how much movement they give you.
If you can, stay as far away from jeans as possible when getting your running wardrobe together.
What Are The Best Running Gloves?
Running gloves can be a great extra piece of equipment whilst you are out running in colder places, keeping your hands warm whilst also giving your hands an extra layer of protection against the elements when you are out running.
Plus, they are usually some of the most flexible kinds of gloves you’ll find out there, giving you a range of motion and dexterity that many other gloves lack.
If you’re looking for a good pair of running gloves to wear in the winter, we would recommend the Gore-Tex C5 gloves. They are very tough for their lightweight, which makes them great for carrying out in the open, and allowing the skin on your hands to breathe whilst you run.
If you are looking for a site where you can find these gloves and more, click here.
Conclusion
There are plenty of pieces that make up a runner’s toolkit and wardrobe. Each part comes with its own benefits and drawbacks.
But the most important thing you need to consider, outside your footwear of choice, is if you feel comfortable in them.
Feeling chafed or restricted while running is the quickest path to giving up, and you don’t want to give up on such a healthy little change to your routine.
Make sure that you have a good pair of running shoes, that your clothes feel comfortable to wear, and you’re good to go!
