What are you carrying around all day?
Gym goers need to lighten their load after suffering from back and neck pains at least once a week as a result of carrying heavy work and gym bags.
The Saucony Kinvara 3 poll shows the array of unnecessary items fitness fans lug around on a daily basis is negating the benefits of their exercise routines by putting their postures at risk of long term damage.
The new research shows nearly 2 million people need to rethink what they're carrying around with them.
A quarter carry around batteries, fruit, hair straighteners and even children’s toys in their gym bags. While over half refuse to leave home without a spare pair of pants or emergency toilet roll.
Vanity and hygiene were also to blame for weighing down bags, with 5 million UK gym goers carrying 5-10 products just for grooming and beauty.
“We need to get the Nation back to basics when it comes to running. Forget expensive gym memberships or lugging around heavy bags – lightweight running gear and minimalist trainers are all you need,” says Jonathan Quint, Marketing Manager for Saucony UK and Ireland.
It's not just heavy loads that are the problem when it comes to gym bags, it's hygiene as well. One in ten of those surveyed admitted to leaving clothing in their gym bags for 1-2 months. Meanwhile twice the amount of men compared to women confessed to leaving unwashed clothing festering for a fortnight.
Phoebe Thomas, Saucony Coaching Ambassador and Running With Us Coach, gives her top tips for getting back to basics when running…
A good posture is your best ally to avoid neck and back pains. Always stand tall with a very slight forward lean, your chest out, shoulders back and imagine your head is being pulled up towards the sky by a cord.
Tension in the shoulder or neck caused by heavy bags will put additional stress on the upper posture leading to headaches, muscular tightness and ultimately, poor performance. Avoid that trip to the osteopath by keeping your kit to a minimum.
If you must carry a small bag, choose a running rucksack that binds in across the body and fits tightly against the middle of the back as you run. Have it strapped on evenly at all times and make sure it doesn’t move while you run.
There are lots of great running clubs out there that take your bags for you, such as www.homerunlondon.com.
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