Picking the Best Features of Sports Heart Rate Monitors

Monitoring heart rate is an essential part of any strenuous or extended exercise routine. Sports heart rate monitors carefully track heart rate and are an important tool in preventing over training and under-training. As your level of fitness increases, increasingly strenuous activities becomes easier and you need to train harder. Use a heart rate monitor to ensure you operate in your ideal fitness zone and reap the best rewards from an intense workout.

With so many options available, choosing a sports heart rate monitor can seem overwhelming. Two main types to choose between are a wrist or chest model. Look into a unit's features to be sure it meets your requirements. At the very least you want to track your heart rate, unless you climb mountains you don't need advanced features like GPS tracking and barometric pressure sensors. Chest sensors are far more accurate than wrist sensors, and high end units typically have both a chest strap and a wrist strap that communicate wirelessly. This lets you read information on your wrist while benefiting from the increased accuracy of a chest strap.

Sports & Heart Rate Monitors Have Tons of Features

Increase your budget and heart rate monitors for even more useful features. Mid-market sports heart rate monitors are an investment to track overall fitness. Monitors in this category are bought specific to the type of sport or training performed. For example, units made for runners are designed to work with speed and distance tracking pods that attach to shoe laces. Units in this range also connect to fitness applications and transmit hours of workout data to fitness tracking programs. Increase your budget for access to sensors for altitude, pressure and GPS-based distance tracking. For urgent job or important social commitments, invest in a sports heart rate monitor that has tight integration with modern mobile devices to alert you to calls or text messages as they come in. Specialty units may also be designed to help you compete, giving you information about how others are performing.

Still undecided? Then realistically consider your needs and invest in a model that has all the basics. Heart rate monitors are not cheap but are designed to endure. Just want to keep an eye on your heart rate during an aerobic workout? A basic model should do fine. Training for a competition? Consider a mid or upper range model designed for your sport that will give you statistics on your level of fitness.

Visit our Washington D.C. sporting goods store to check out all the latest electronic running gear, including heart rate monitors.

What Are The Best Women's Hiking Socks?

“Happy feet, happy life” may seem like an odd comment, but it rings true. How many hours do we spend in a shoe store trying on four or five pair of hiking boots, looking the perfect fit? And yet, when it comes to women’s hiking socks - gloves for our feet - we may just grab the pair nearest to the cash register.

It’s best to stay away from cotton socks when hiking. Cotton socks absorbs sweat and do not dry quickly. If your feet get wet from crossing a creek or stepping in a puddle, your socks are bound to stay wet for a long time.

When looking for hiking necessities, take time to find the right pair of socks for you. Bring your hiking boots with you to the store, and try the boots on with the socks. This will help to make sure they fit correctly, and aren't too thick or too thin.

The Best Hiking Socks Are Wool

Based on our experience, the ideal hiking socks are made from merino wool.
Merino wool socks are capable of keeping the feet both warm during the chilly mornings and cool during the warmer afternoon hours. While trekking through rough terrain and mountain streams, they will repel the water. Merino wool socks soften the pounding that your feet absorb when walking long distances. They are also less likely to roll up and cause bulges in the sock under the toes or heels.

When planning your next trek, be just as choosy about your hiking socks as you are about your boots and other gear. This will ensure that you protect your feet and have a great time in the great outdoors.
Visit our sporting goods store in Washington D.C. to get personal help picking the right hiking socks.

How to Choose the Best Running Shoes for Women

As with any sports equipment, having good women’s running shoes is vital to reducing injuries and maximizing the benefits of your work out. With these helpful tips you should be able to find the shoe that fits.

Shoe Size is Important

When you go shopping for women’s running shoes keep in mind that the size you are in a New Balance may not be the same size you are in a Nike. The shape of the shoe and the way it is constructed will differ between companies so be sure to try the shoe on before you buy. It is also important that your heel fits snugly; however, you do not want it too tight. Your shoe should be roomy in the forefoot and allow your toes to wiggle. Running shoes that are too tight will lead to blisters and injured toenails.

Running Shoes Don't Have to be Pretty

When you are scanning the aisles for the perfect shoe it is hard not to be drawn to what you see as the most attractive shoe there. Often we will stick to a specific color or style and by doing that you are not opening yourself up to the possibility of a better shoe. You may not like the look of a shoe but if it covers all your needs by all means try that one on. You may be surprised at how it feels on your foot.

Where Do You Run?

Are you are a trail runner, treadmill runner, or road runner? The running shoe you buy will need to be designed to fit your needs whether you are running sidewalks or mountain sides. Most running shoes will list their ideal conditions on their tags, or you can ask your sales clerk.

Try the Shoes On Before You Buy

Once you have narrowed your search down to one or two pairs of shoes, try them on and walk around. Ask the store associate if you can take a few turns around the store before buy them. Take notice of how your foot feels, if anything is irritating then find another shoe.
The most important part of choosing a woman's running shoe is be sure to buy a shoe that is comfortable. Visit our running shoe store in North Bethesda, MD if you’re in the neighborhood. Happy running!

How to Choose the Best Sports Bra for Runners

Picking the right sports running bra doesn't have to be a daunting ordeal if you know the basics of bra sizing. The key factors you’ll want to understand are chest size and cup size.

The chest size is the measurement of the circumference that runs across the chest and around the back. The cup is the part that holds the breast, which is standard for any bra – whether it’s a traditional bra or a sports bra. It's crucial to get both the chest and cup sizes right to guarantee a proper fit. Depending on personal preferences, you may need more than one sports bra for adequate support.

What to Look For When Buying a Sports Bra For Runners

A support system: The support should come from an elasticated lower area that sits underneath the breast, alongside the body of the bra that should be slightly cup-shaped.

Rear Protection: Straps vary, from racer back designs to standard bra straps. Racer backs offer more support to the back, so they feel tighter and more secure.

Fabric: Fabrics in sports bras are nearly always made from a synthetic such as polyester mesh or Lycra. Mesh provides ventilation and breathability, which is perfect for circulating air. Wicking fabrics such as Polyester, Lycra, Spandex and elastane are recommended.

Design: Look for a design that provides a more flattering look, and features that allow adjustability. Various design options are available to greater support, such as underwire construction and molded cups. Some women find that different closure styles (rear clasp, front closure, or pullover) provide superior comfort. Built-in or removable pads are another design option some women select for a smoother profile. Seamless design is also known to reduce chaffing and irritation.

Different styles and brands of bras will not fit the same. So bring a few choices with you into the changing room for start. Just to go out and look for an alternate size, analyze by making a few adjustments to the bra. If you’re in Maryland, visit our sporting goods store in Silver Spring to get more help.

What to Consider When Buying Running Socks

The right pair of running socks can make a big difference in your performance. A good pair can make you feel like you could run forever, but a bad pair can leave you blistered and uncomfortable. There are three major things to consider when searching for the right pair of socks.

Padding in the Socks

There are two schools of thought when it comes to sock padding. Some runners like thin socks that let your feet breathe. They tend to fit in tighter shoes well. Others prefer socks with thick cushioning. Usually, this cushioning is thickest at the places your foot hits the ground, and helps to absorb the impact as you take each step. Thicker socks may also have a padded area in the back that prevents blisters.

Sock Material

Running socks are available in many different materials, and there are a few things to look out for. Cotton socks retain moisture and can be very uncomfortable once your feet begin to sweat. Look for a sock that is made with wool or synthetic material. If you are running in cooler weather and want to stay warm, wool is an excellent option. Synthetic socks are better for warm weather, as they are more breathable. Feel the material and make sure that you will be comfortable. Any good running sock should also contain spandex, which keeps the sock from falling. Not much is worse than stopping in the middle of your run to adjust your socks.

How Well the Socks Fit

This may seem obvious, but people often overlook this aspect when buying running socks. Do you wear tight shoes? If so, you need to make sure that the socks you buy aren't too thick. You also need to consider how your shoes fit. The socks should fit you higher over your ankle if your shoes are high, otherwise you risk getting blisters. Most importantly, your socks should fit your feet. Make sure you buy the right size, otherwise discomfort is imminent. Finding the right pair of running socks isn't difficult, but it does take some research. In the end, it's well worth the effort. Please visit our running shoe store in Bethesda, MD for more information on the best running socks for you.

How to Pick the Best Running Shoes for Men

Actor and runner Joe Taslim once remarked, “You don’t need to go to the gym; all you need is a pair of shoes.” While he’s partially correct, it’s important to have the right pair of shoes. All too often, the rookie runner will heed Taslim’s advice and lace up an old, dusty pair of Nikes, set out onto the open road, and wonder why they end up with screaming calf pain or shin splints.

3 Steps to the Best Men's Running Shoes

As a guy, the single most important thing you can do before starting your running journey, regardless of inexperience or low mileage, is to get properly fitted for men’s running shoes. Unless you live in a small town, chances are you have a store nearby that specializes in running gear and offers free analyses.

• Gait – The most important part of the analysis is gait—a fancy word that essentially refers to an individual’s foot strike. If you under-pronate, you favor the outer side of your foot when it hits the ground. If you’re neutral, you maintain a balanced transition throughout the entire movement of your foot. However, most runners fall into the over-pronation category which is made apparent when the foot rolls inward upon mid-strike.
• Arch – The arch of your foot will also determine the likelihood of over and under pronation. A simple visual analysis can reveal whether you have high, normal, or low arches and, subsequently, whether additional shoe inserts are necessary.
• Size – Remember when you went shoe shopping as a kid and your mom would feel your big toe for proper sizing? Experts at the running store will likely do the same thing; just don’t be surprised if you’re told you’ve been wearing the wrong sized shoe for years as most novices often discover. When buying men’s running shoes, always go a half size up from what you normally wear. This allows for factors such as swelling and downhill-running and gives your toes a little extra wiggle room.

While a proper-fitting running shoe can easily cost over $100, it's your biggest defense against injury. Shop sales but don’t be cheap. Many runners who begin before being properly fitted are instantly turned off due to intense discomfort of the feet and legs. Finding the right pair of men’s running shoes is an investment, but it’s arguably the only one you’ll make. Well, until you catch the race bug, but that’s a story for another day.
Be sure to visit our running shoe store in Washington D.C. if you want more information too.

How Trail Running Shoes Differ From Street Running Shoes

Running is a great exercise, and you'd think that the materials would be simple. What do you need aside from some comfortable clothes, shoes, maybe some sunblock and a road? Well, in recent years the necessary gear has become a bit more complicated, and mostly in the area of shoes. Go into any athletics store and you'll see walls full of running shoes. While the general rule of thumb is to pick which ever shoe is most comfortable for you, there is one distinction you should make: the difference between road running shoes and trail running shoes.

What is the difference?

Basically road running shoes are designed to be light weight and breathable while trail running shoes are designed to protect your feet from rocks, harsh terrain and unpredictable weather. In other words, trail running shoes have a thicker sole with lots of tread, are made of water proof materials designed to keep your feet warm and dry, and even have rubber bumpers on the sides to keep your toes protected.

Can you run on the road with trail shoes?

The short answer is yes. But the longer answer is that you probably don't want to under normal circumstances. Trail shoes are heavier than road shoes, which will slow you down. They're also not designed to be breathable, which will make your feet sweatier than normal. If you feel like your arches or ankles need more support than the standard light weight running shoe, then look for a road running shoe that offers more support. This way you'll still get the benefit of a light-weight shoe with breathable material without sacrificing weight. The only exception is if you're running in harsh weather. If you're running in snow, heavy rain, or sleet then the tread that trail shoes offer could be beneficial.

What about running on the trail with road shoes?

Don't try it! Road shoes don't offer you any protection from rocks, trees, stones, slippery moss or anything else the wild may throw out at you. You'll be risking serious injury by not protecting your feet. In short, trail running shoes are heavier and offer more protection while road shoes are designed to be light weight and comfy. Be sure to visit our running shoe store in Washington D.C. for more information too.