The right sports equipment
Do you have any resolutions to move more? It starts with the right material! What equipment do you need and how much does it cost?
If you want to cycle long trips at a leisurely pace, a touring bike with gears is more suitable than a city bike. A gel saddle (from € 10) is recommended to prevent saddle soreness.
Good bike sellers have equipment to determine frame size and saddle adjustment. If the bike is too big or too small, you can get back pain. In addition to the frame size, the adjustment of the saddle is also important. This not only concerns the saddle height in relation to the ground, but also in relation to the handlebars.
Cyclists
For cyclists: if you weigh less than 80 kilos, consider a carbon or aluminum frame. If you are heavier, steel or titanium is better. Aluminum and steel are cheaper. Carbon and titanium have the advantage that they absorb shocks better. An intermediate form is also possible, for example an aluminum frame with a carbon front and/or rear fork.
Clothing
With a thermal shirt and shorts you are less bothered by a sweaty body. They cost around € 40. A waterproof, breathable and windproof jacket (from € 100) is also indispensable. Elastic cycling shorts with a chamois in the crotch are indispensable for cyclists; the chamois prevents chafing, skin irritations and saddle soreness (€ 90).
Shoes
Cycling shoes cost between €75 and €120. Is it raining? Water-repellent and windproof shoe covers are for sale from € 25.
To walk
Do not buy walking shoes that are too small: the toes must be able to move freely and must not touch the front of the shoe, even when descending a slope. To avoid blisters, the foot should not slide in the shoe while walking. If you buy shoes in the morning, keep in mind that feet always swell during the day. Light, flexible walking shoes for tours on well-maintained paths are already on sale from € 50; for heavy mountain boots with a stiff sole you usually spend more than € 200.
socks
When trying on, wear socks that you will also want to wear while walking. The best are socks with flat seams. Hard seams can cause irritation. Good socks absorb sufficient perspiration. That prevents blisters. Cotton absorbs too much moisture and becomes clammy, making the skin too moist. Most hiking socks are therefore made of a combination of synthetic fibers such as acrylic, polyamide (nylon) and wool. The price of a good pair of hiking socks is between € 15 and € 25. If you quickly suffer from blisters, you can also opt for thin socks with the water-repellent polypropylene. A pair costs about €10.
Clothing
A sweater or cardigan made of fleece insulates well and is much lighter than, for example, wool. And if you’re hiking in the rain, a well-breathable rain jacket is important. Such a waterproof outdoor sports jacket costs at least € 100.
Playing tennis
Rackets differ greatly in size, weight and frame stiffness. There are three types: power, control and all-round. A power racket is suitable if you don’t have much technique yet. A control racket requires more technology. For a beginner, an all-round racket is most suitable.
if you’re with tennis When you start, it is best to choose a racket where you do not need too much force to hit the ball. A racket with a large head is also useful. As a result, you will hit the ball more often. As a beginner, do not take a heavy racket. The price of a racket is between € 80 and € 270.
Clothing
Tennis clothing is made of elastic synthetic fibers such as lycra and supplex. These are flexible materials that absorb perspiration well and allow it to pass through easily, allowing the sweat to evaporate. This keeps the body drier and therefore cools down less quickly.
Tennis clothing comes in a variety of colors and ranges from simple to fashionable. A standard tennis shirt costs between €30 and €50, pants or skirts between €20 and €40, a jacket between €40 and €75. Tennis clothing from well-known brands or designers is more expensive.
Shoes
The choice of tennis shoe depends on the surface on which you play: gravel (ground brick), hard court (a surface of concrete or asphalt with a rubber-like coating), artificial grass or indoor courts. The soles have different profiles to keep the risk of injuries as small as possible. Tennis shoes cost around €100.
To run
Which running shoe is most suitable depends on your running style. Most sports stores make a video of this on a treadmill. Always take the old shoes with you when you go to buy new ones; the wear pattern on the soles shows you how to your feet put down. Many running shoes correct for overpronation. The foot then sinks in too much, which puts too much stress on the Achilles tendon during running. These shoes have sturdier material on the inside of the heel and midsole. With supination problems, the foot actually sags out too much. In shoes that compensate for this, the outside is reinforced. Running shoes cost between €100 and €160.
socks
Special (seamless) running socks wick away moisture better, which means blisters prevents. They cost between €10 and €25 per pair.
shirt
A cotton shirt is not suitable, because this material retains a lot of moisture. This allows you to cool down, especially if it is windy. With a thermal shirt made of synthetic fibers that retain little moisture, such as lycra or gore-tex, you will have less of this. The more expensive shirts are not only moisture regulating but also breathable and windproof. Such shirts cost around €60.
Pants
Real running pants have moisture-absorbing inner pants. There are also tights for sale, tight pants that allow moisture to pass through. They cost around €45. Thermal undergarments are recommended in cold weather; which ensures that sweat is properly drained.
Jack
A good running jacket not only breathes, but is also windproof and rainproof. Such a jacket costs at least € 120.
Sources):
- Plus Magazine
