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What Kind of Exercise Gear Do I Need to Start Exercising?

During the past few months, most of us have been stuck at home with excess time and little to do other than binge another Netflix show. Unfortunately, staring at the television doesn’t do any favors for your waistline or overall health.

The bright side of having all this time to kill is that we can use it to actually improve our health and fitness levels – we have ample opportunity to exercise, after all.

But, if you are like many Americans who don’t regularly exercise, the idea of embarking on a fitness regiment can be intimidating, even scary.

What type of exercises can I do?
What should I do?
Do I need special equipment?

All of these concerns are legitimate and you certainly should do your research before just throwing yourself into the latest exercise trends on YouTube. It’s easy to risk injury or worse if you’re not careful. However, for the majority of the public, we can offer some practical guidance that will help point you in the right direction. 

Specifically with this question: What equipment do I need?

Here are four items to consider:

1. Proper attire

This may seem obvious, but you want to avoid dressing in clothes that are overly baggy, heavy, restrictive, or insulating.

This means that you should avoid denim, overalls, sweaters, tight slacks and skirts, and anything else that will restrict or hinder movement and your skin’s natural ability to breathe.

Sweatpants, shorts, t-shirts, yoga pants, and tank tops are all good choices. Look for clothes made from light cotton or high-performance fabrics that move sweat away from the body and to the fabric surface, where it evaporates (a feature sometimes referred to as dri-fit).

The point is to ensure you’re comfortable and can move freely throughout your workout.

2. Proper footwear

Let’s just make this simple to start. Wear sneakers!

Don’t try exercising in your workboots, dress shoes, heels, Uggs, flip-flops, or slippers…no matter how cool you think they look. Depending on the type of exercise you’re attempting, you may damage your shoes and/or yourself.

That being said, there are many sneaker options out there. Also, everyone’s feet are different, so footwear that works great for one person may not work great for someone else. 


That being said, if you want a simple place to start, use these guidelines when shopping for your new pair of shoes:

  • For running or walking, stick with sneakers that have more padding and are designed to cushion your steps. Lighter is better too.
  • For floor exercises and fast lateral movements, go with “training” sneakers that are designed to give you more stability and help with side to side motion.
  • If you are hiking, then hiking boots may be a good option – or go with some “hiking-friendly” sneakers that offer aggressive tread and ankle stability. 
  • If you are playing basketball or a similar sport, look at some high-top sneakers that are designed to provide ankle support and cushioning for the knees.

Also, unless you really know your foot type and thoroughly understand the type of movements you’ll be undertaking, stay away from anything extreme or super-minimalist. These types of footwear – like toe shoes – can be problematic for people with very flat feet or foot problems.

3. Safety gear

Unless you are taking on some really extreme exercises (which you shouldn’t be without professional supervision at first), you should be good to go without needing a ton of safety equipment.

However, braces and wraps can be helpful if you need some additional support for sore and/or problematic areas of the body. Look into extra support for your knees, wrists, and other joints as necessary.

Also, reflective tape may be a good choice for certain activities like jogging in the evening or early morning. And if you’re biking, wear a helmet!

4. Resistance equipment

The reality of home exercise is that you can do a lot of good for yourself with simple bodyweight exercises and practically no equipment. 

However, if you want some options to help with strength training and resistance-type exercises, you can purchase resistance bands that are relatively inexpensive (some sets are less than $20!) and use them in a variety of ways very effectively.

If you really want to take your workouts to the next level, consider buying some TRX bands. While being a bit pricey, these bands can be used to work out every single area of the body.

And finally, if you are on a budget, look around the house for things you can use as weights (like full paint cans). However, you need to make sure these can be balanced appropriately so you don’t get a lopsided physique. 

Isolation is definitely changing the way we do life. But, with every challenge is a new opportunity. Here is your chance to begin your journey to better health and a better you.

Stay practical.

Stay simple.

Don’t go overboard.

You should be just fine. And don’t forget – we’re ready at Bee Healthy Clinics to help you along on your weight loss journey for better health. Reach out to your nearest location any time.

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