Hate Working Out: It’s Not You, It’s Your Gear.

I have to run as part of my job in the Army Reserves, but for a long time, I found myself making excuses not to do it on my own time. I realized that a big part of my problem wasn’t laziness, but a dozen small annoyances with my gear that just made the whole experience miserable.

It started with my phone. I was using one of those armbands for my iPhone Pro Max, and I hated it. To keep that heavy phone from sliding down my arm, I’d have to strap it on so tight it was uncomfortable. It felt bulky and just got in the way.

My first real fix was getting an Apple Watch with GPS so I could leave the phone at home. Being able to just use my watch and AirPods for music and tracking was a huge deal. My arms could move freely, and I wasn’t constantly fidgeting with the band. That one change made me want to run more.

Once the phone problem was gone, I started noticing other things. My running shorts, some pair I’d bought off Amazon, felt heavy and distracting. And the jangling of my keys in the pocket drove me crazy. So I looked into the Lululemon shorts people talk about. The price is steep—nearly $70 for a pair. I ended up getting three, which felt insane. But the quality is there. They’re light, they don’t chafe, and they have a small, secure pocket that holds my keys perfectly still. For how much I have to run and how many times they’ll go through the wash, the cost made sense for me. Besides, I researched comparisons to Nike and Adidas, and Lululemon was the most Liked.

But it’s not about just buying the most expensive version of everything. For sunglasses, I did the opposite. All I need is something that stays on my face when I’m sweating. And more so I on the sidewalks and I don’t want all those cars looking at me when I run because I’m sure I be looking like I’m in deep pain when I run even though I’m not. Shades gives me a sense of privacy.

 I found a $20 pair of polarized sports glasses on Amazon that don’t budge, even when I’m looking down. They work, they look good, and I feel like Cyclops when I wear them. Good enough for me.

Lastly, I upgraded my shoes. I was running in Brooks Adrenaline 22s, and my shins would ache after every run, but their lifespan was nowhere near the finish line. I finally upgraded to the Adrenaline 24s, and the pain just stopped. It turned out the biggest thing holding me back wasn’t just comfort, it was avoiding actual pain.

After fixing all these little things, my motivation to run is just there. So don’t feel guilty about buying quality workout clothes because they look good on you. Looking good motivates you to do the things that make you look good.