Question:

What type of gear to I need to begin an exercise program?

Gear Up for Exercise

One important consideration for exercise participation is having the appropriate gear. The right exercise gear makes participation in activities safer and more enjoyable. Based on your activity of choice, having the needed gear could be as simple as a good pair of shoes.

Shoes are probably the most important purchase you can make when beginning any exercise program. With so many shoe brands on the market, it can be difficult to find the correct shoes. There are shoes for every activity: running, tennis, basketball, and even walking. Your local running store or sports retailer will usually have someone who can analyze your foot type and assist you in choosing the perfect shoe for you. Be sure to try the shoe on and wear it around in the store for a while. Also, remember that the lifespan of good pair of shoes is about 300-500 miles.

Exercise apparel such as shirts, shorts and even socks can make physical activity more comfortable. New clothing technology has been developed that gives material a moisture wicking capability. By moving moisture away from the skin this technical material helps keep the body cooler and prevents chafing. In particular, the technical material in socks will prevent blisters from occurring. Is this apparel more expensive? Not necessarily. If you look hard you can find these materials in stores such as Wal-Mart or Target.

Other types of gear might include Body Glide, MP3 players, sunscreen and sunglasses. Body Glide is an anti-blister and chafing stick. You apply this product to any body part(s) that rub together such as under the arms, on the inner thighs and even the bottom of the feet.

As you can see you don't have to buy too much gear to get started. Assess your favorite activities and make sure you have everything you need to make participation as enjoyable as possible.