Running belts are actually storage belts that are worn around the waist, typically while running.
Running belts provide a secure, dry place to store your smartphone, cash, keys and other valuables while you run.
They can also be used while traveling to safeguard your passport, wallet and other items.
Our lifestyle experts have determined that the following are the most important benefits of running belts.
10 Benefits Of Running Belts
Running belts allow you to secure your valuables while running, but they also provide a host of secondary benefits as well.
1: Running belts enable you to explore your limits.
If you head out with just your shorts, T-shirt, and shoes, you’ll need to stop when you get thirsty or hungry or want to check your heart rate. A running belt will let you carry snacks, water, gels (1) and of course your smartphone. That means you can keep running no matter if you’re thirsty or hungry. And if you have a heart rate monitor (2) you can link it to your phone. This way, you always have real-time information about your heart’s condition while you’re running. No more stopping to take your pulse. The end result is that you’ll be better able to push through barriers and achieve new heights of fitness.
2: Running belts provide an easy way to carry and protect your tech.
In the not too distant past runners took very little with them when they hit the road except maybe snacks and keys. That was about it. Today, however, people want to take their cell phones with them wherever they go, including when they go running. And while that is understandable, it should go without saying that running with your phone is fraught with risk. If you carry it in your pocket, it could easily become dislodged and crash to the ground. If you get caught in the rain and your phone is not properly protected well, goodbye phone (3). That is why you should always stow your phone away in a good running belt. You should also make sure the belt is, at the very least, water-resistant and preferably waterproof.
3: Running belts help you stay hydrated.
Staying hydrated while running is crucial (4). But trying to carry a water bottle while running is a chore, to say the least. It can throw off your balance, tire out your arm, and if you drop it while running, you have to stop and retrieve it, perhaps from the busy street. Several of the running belts we profiled above have water bottles integrated into their design. By that, we mean they include water bottles that have been specifically designed to slip into pockets on the belt. They’re held fast so that they don’t flop around. And the shape of the bottle and the location of the pockets are designed to distribute the weight in an even, easy to take manner. The end result is proper hydration.
4: Running belts are affordable.
Considering how budget-friendly most running belts are, they have to be considered one of the best values in exercise equipment. Some can be had for less than $10, although most of the best will occupy a price range between $10 and $50. Because a fully loaded running belt is subjected to a great deal of stress as you run, it’s important to consider other things besides just price when selecting a belt. This is even more important if the belt holds water bottles. So when trying to find a belt to suit your needs, consider things like padding, material and build quality and then price. Chances are the really well-made belt will only be a little more expensive than the discount one you may have had your eye on.
5: Running belts let you concentrate on running.
Running is hard work, especially when you’re first starting out. It’s really important once you start that you are able to get into and sustain a rhythm both with your stride and with your breathing (5). Just as resting too long between sets while strength training is counterproductive (6) so too is constantly stopping during a run or walk. A good running belt will enable you to maintain your rhythm and obtain optimal benefits from your exercise. You won’t have to stop to find a snack, and if your belt holds water bottles, you can hydrate while moving.
6: Running belts are comfortable and practical.
Running with a wallet in your back pocket and a water bottle in your hand is no fun. And trying to run while carrying a purse is even more absurd. Running belts provide a safe, comfortable, and practical way to bring essential items with you on your run or walk. And this, in turn, enables you to be ready for any eventuality. Electrolyte tablets (7) are another thing you can carry in the running belt to ward off cramps. And having snacks at the ready is always a good idea.
7: A running belt means you’re prepared for emergencies.
You can carry a lot more than electrolyte tablets and water on your running belt. Some of the more comprehensive running belts will provide room for first aid supplies like Band-aids or even bandages. You’ll be able to bring aspirin, disinfectant in case you fall and cut yourself, an emergency whistle, a pedometer, and much more. If you’re old school, you can even slip a map in your running belt so that you don’t get lost. And you should have some change in case you need a drink, but the only available beverages are in a vending machine.
8: Running belts can be used while traveling.
The needs of the traveler tend to dovetail pretty closely with the needs of the runner. Both need a safe and convenient place to store their phone. Both benefit from having snacks at the ready, and both need a secure place to store cash or credit cards. In the case of travelers they need to secure their valuables from pickpockets (8) who tend to work the world’s tourist hotspots. By keeping your valuables close to your body in front of you where you can keep an eye on them and secure behind a zippered pocket, you drastically reduce the odds of being robbed. Many running belts are so slim you can easily wear them under your shirt undetected.
9: Running belts protect your tech from the weather.
One of the biggest concerns for modern runners is that they’ll get caught in the rain and their expensive phone and other tech will be ruined. Certainly, if you’re wearing your smartphone strapped to your arm, that’s a legitimate concern. However, if you’re wearing one of today’s many waterproof running belts around your waist, your expensive electronic gadgets are completely safe. Most waterproof running belts are either fashioned from neoprene (9) or line the main pocket with this fully waterproof material. Even water-resistant fabrics such as lycra with its ultra-tight weave will prevent a light rain from ruining your cell phone, pedometer, or other tech.
10: Running belts make you look like you’ve got it goin’ on.
Last but not least, wearing an effective running belt sends an unmistakable message that you’re on top of things. It says you are both streetwise and stylish and that you’re nobody’s fool. When you go out, you go out prepared, for anything. Also, since most running clothes leave something to be desired from a fashion standpoint, a great looking running belt can add a splash of visual interest. Most feature leading-edge designs that not only enhance your preparedness, but also the way you look and the way you’re perceived.
Conclusion
Running belts are a convenient, affordable way to protect your valuables while you run. They’re compact and practical and they can be taken anywhere. The best running belts not only give you a safe place to store your smartphone, money and other belongings, they’re also waterproof to provide an extra level of protection.