Our bodies are made to move, and there’s no better way to do that than to go for a run. As a sport, running is as basic and popular as it gets. In the United States alone, 60 million people participated in trail running, running, and jogging in 2017.
Running is excellent for beginners and can result in many benefits, including stress release, sharp mental health, and, of course, a healthier and fitter body. It might initially be overwhelming trying to determine what equipment you might need to ace your run as a beginner. Luckily, though, running isn’t complex at all and, with just a handful of gear, you’ll be able to slay your future runs in no time.
By buying the right gear, you can enhance your running performance and make it more fun and comfortable, too. So, without further ado, slay your run with these six running essentials:
Compression Socks
If you go for a run, chances are you’ll see many runners around you wearing compression socks. Well, compression socks for running are increasingly becoming popular for the past few years, and rightly so.
These socks improve your blood flow by allowing it to return to your heart more quickly and limit swelling, especially amongst people who run regularly. They also protect your legs from abrasions, scratches, and other things that might hurt you.
Lastly, wearing compression socks while running can assist with recovery, too, as it reduces muscle soreness, provides relief from varicose veins, and helps relieve swollen ankles.
Running Belt
People who run regularly understand the hassle of carrying their belongings, such as their phones, keys, and water bottle in their hands while on a sprint. Holding everything in your hand increases the probability of losing your stuff and breaking it, in the case of your phone.
Instead, you should get a running belt that straps around your waist, and you can store your belongings in it while working out or running. To find the right fit for you, you should determine your primary objective: keeping as much as possible or being stylish? Then, you can easily get a running belt that’ll be convenient and will be easy on your pocket, too.
Wireless Headphones
One of the best ways to get pumped up for a run and motivate yourself is by listening to music. There is substantial evidence suggesting how music elevates your mood’s positive aspects, such as happiness and excitement, and decreases negative aspects, such as confusion, tension, and fatigue.
By creating a running playlist, you can jumpstart your body and enjoy your run simultaneously. While you can use wired headphones, wireless headphones are much more convenient since they stay in place during a rigorous run.
You should also look for water-resistant headphones and have a built-in microphone, so they don’t get damaged by sweat and rain, and you can talk on call while running, too.
Running Gloves
Wherever you live, you’re going to experience all kinds of weather changes, such as wind, rain, and snow. However, it doesn’t mean that the day’s weather forecast gets to determine your running schedule.
By investing in a good pair of running gloves, you can keep your hands warm during the run and ensure you’re staying on track with your schedule, too.
Ideally, the gloves you choose should be thermal, keep you warm, and waterproof to keep your hands dry. You should also look for an elastic band that ensures any water doesn’t seep through the gloves and make you uncomfortable. Lastly, you should also look for touchscreen compatibility to ensure you don’t need to keep taking your gloves off and on just to use your phone.
Fitness Tracker
Fitness trackers are more popular than ever; currently, 1 in 5 Americans say they regularly wear fitness trackers or smartwatches. These trackers come in the form of wristbands and track health-related metrics, such as heart rate, quality of sleep, calorie consumption, and distance ran or walked.
By wearing a fitness tracker during your runs regularly, you can keep track of your progress, especially if you have specific goals in mind. A tracker notifies you regularly and ensures you stay motivated. Additionally, you can compare your results over time by tracking metrics and determine how far you’ve come.
Apart from this, a fitness tracker takes it up a notch by offering various workout ideas by keeping your current fitness level into account. There are plenty of tracker options available, so you can easily find one that suits your needs and budget.
Self-Massage Tool
If you’ve started running recently, chances are your body’s going to be sore in multiple areas. You can usually keep this soreness away by properly warming up and cooling down and slowly increasing your intensity.
However, suppose your body does remain sore after this. In that case, you should consider getting a self-massage tool that boosts your performance and helps with injury prevention and recovery. You just need to take out time every day to massage your muscles after and before any run to protect your muscles.
Final Thoughts
Running is one of the best ways to stay healthy and keep your body in great shape. These running essentials don’t necessarily need to burn a hole through your pocket and will prove to be excellent investments to help you reach your fitness goals.
