As runners we tend to justify spending quite a bit of money on running gear. To us this is pretty normal, but to others it may seem odd. Did you know that some of your running gear can be put to use for activities other than running? I don’t know about you, but this makes me feel better about my running gear purchases. Let’s go over some alternative uses for running gear, besides just running!
This post contains affiliate links.
Here are a few ways I use running gear for purposes other than running.
Practical Alternative Uses for Running Gear
Headlamp
Do you know that a headlamp can also be used as an alarm clock? I bet you didn’t. In the winter I sometimes go upstairs to wake up Rob right before I head out for my run. Since I am already wearing my headlamp, I turn it on so I can see in the dark. Of course the light alone wakes him up, so I don’t really need to do anything else. This is a great alternative for an alarm clock if there is someone if your house who doesn’t like getting up in the morning.
Running shoes
An old pair of running shoes can be used for pretty much anything else. Strength training, walking, outings that require a lot of time on your feet.
You may also like: 6 Reasons Why Walking is Good For Runners
Running clothes
Lately I have been wearing running clothes all the time. If I’m going to sit outside on the deck and don’t want to wear a bathing suit, I’ll out on some running clothes. They hold up much better to sweat than any sort of regular clothes.
Here are a few of my favorite Brooks items:
Brooks Chaser Shorts
Brooks Spring Free Tank
Brooks Lux Short Sleeve
Garmin
Now that my Garmin is also a fitness tracker, I wear it all the time. It’s pretty much become my every day watch and even gives me notifications from my phone like texts and weather.
Sunglasses
It’s always good to have a second set of sunglasses, right? If I can’t find my regular sunglasses or don’t feel like packing two pairs when I travel, I just wear my running sunglasses all the time.
Foam roller
I bet if you leave a foam roller out in a room long enough you will find many random uses for it. I’ve used mine for strength training, sitting, and as a camera prop for taking selfies.
If you get creative enough with your running gear, the possibilities are endless. So the next time a non-runner questions your running purchases, you can point out all the other uses for running gear.
What alternative uses for running gear have you found?
Anyone else prefer to just spend all day in their running clothes?
Do you wear a fitness tracker all the time?
You may also like:
A Look Back at November 2015 Goals
Port to Fort 6k Race Recap
Molly Murphy Memorial 5k Race Recap
November Goals, DST, and Easing Back Into My Workouts
I actually never wear my running clothes unless I am running. I’m probably a rare runner though! I definitely use my running shoes though when I am walking places like Disney world – I can’t imagine walking long distances without a good pair of running shoes.
This is the first time Ive really started wearing my running clothes more for times Im not running. I feel like they do better in the heat than my regular clothes!
My boys used to use my foam roller as a weapon–I guess that counts as repurposing!
Bahahahaha kind of like foam pool noodles
Do you know that I tried to bring the Stick in my carry-on once and it almost got confiscated? I guess those types of things really can be used as a weapon…
I usually wear some type of workout clothes all weekend. If I could wear them to work, I would! I’ve also used older pairs of running shoes for strength training classes.
I always wish I could wear running clothes to work! Or yoga pants!
Hmm, propping the camera up on the foam roller is a good idea!
I once bought my husband a headlamp just so I wouldn’t have to stand and hold a flashlight for him when we do home projects..haha!
Thats a great idea for the headlamp!
I’d love to wear my fitness gear all day. I already have a relaxed wardrobe after working in Boulder, but I’m sure fitness clothes would push the limit at work.
How nice would it be to just wear running clothes all the time? I think I would be much more productive.
I use my trail flashlight to find cat pee in my house. 🙂
That’s a great use for it. Very practical!
Sunglasses are also great to combat hayfever in your eyes – which is unbearable for me right now!
So true! I usually don’t wear sunglasses when I run early in the morning but Ive been thinking maybe I should start to keep everything out of my eyes.
I have the same Garmin and I love it so, so much! I never want to take it off! 🙂
Also, I chuckled about the repurposing of your headlight!
Yea, the headlight thing has become a bit of a joke in our house. I always threaten to bring out the headlamp if he doesn’t get up for his workout:)
I only wear my running clothes when I run, and then I get changed out of them right after because otherwise I’m scared of getting a yeast infection or something! Otherwise, if I don’t know when I’ll be able to run that day I will change into them in the morning and wear them all day until I can get out there!
Oh don’t worry, I change into clean running clothes after my run:) Its been so hot that all I want to do is shower the second I get in from my run lately.
These are some great ideas! I actually have the same headlamp/flashlight and use it all the time…we went caving a few months ago and it worked great!
And I probably have 5 pairs of old running shoes for various activities – working in the yard, camping, etc.
Have a great day!
Im embarrassed to say how many pairs of running shoes are in my house right now! I guess I have a hard time parting with them.
We use a lot of our running gear for hiking and camping – including headlamps, KnuckleLights, and all that! Ollie thinks my foam roller is a fun toy and tries to steal it from me when I use it.
Thats a great idea to use all that stuff for hiking and camping! I could see how a dog would think foam rollers are a toy. They also must wonder what the heck you are doing when you roll on it!
If I could live in my workout clothes I would… sadly, work gets in the way.
Same here! Its so annoying, right?! 🙂
This post made me smile 🙂 My closet contains “work” clothes, and the other half is “workout” clothes, so yes, those workout capris and tops get to be worn all the time! Guilty as charged. My running socks are also so comfy (Balegas) that I hate to wear “regular” socks and they get worn all of the time. Can never have enough old pairs of running shoes to mow the grass in and do yardwork in, right??
I definitely prefer my running socks over my regular socks! I try to save my favorite running socks for running though.
Hahhaha I will bookmark this post and send the link to Adam next time he asks why I need so many things for a sport “that just requires you to go outside and move your legs.” 😀 I wear my running clothes outside all the time too. I hate sweating in normal clothes but I don’t mind it at all if I’m in my running clothes!
Exactly! Running clothes are so much more comfortable and don’t feel too gross if they start to get a little sweaty.
I always use my old running shoes for walking. And for the past couple of months, I’ve been wearing most of my Oiselle tops to work. They’re running clothes but still cute enough to wear to work.
Thats a great idea! I only have a few basics tank tops from Oiselle but I know some of their stuff is really cute and can be worn for activities other than working out!
I work from home so yep, running clothes all day nearly every day. 😉 I also wear my Garmin all the time! I changed the face to a picture of Dopey so he can constantly remind me of my Dopey Challenge goals. 🙂
Great idea! Its nice to have a way to always keep your goals in mind.
I can justify running clothing purchases so much more because I work in a store where I have to wear fitness clothes to work! So my running clothes double as my work clothes. I also wear my Garmin every day as a fitness tracker. And I was told by a customer who’s an accountant that depending on the use of the items, I may be able to claim some of them on my taxes, so I’d say that’s a justifiable expense!
Wow, thats great! I always wish I could wear my running clothes to work!
My son takes my headlamps to camp to play around with so those get a lot of use around here.
Oh that works out well! I bet its nice that you didnt have to buy something additional for him to use!
Headlamps are also good for power outages, camping and if you are trying to read small print (aging is so fun). I keep old running shoes (until my shoe shelf won’t hold anymore). If I am getting really close to replacing a pair I set them aside and take them on my next vacation!
Thats a smart idea!
Ha! I’m sure Rob loves the headlamp-as-alarm-clock idea… lol!! 🙂
Not his favorite thing at all but even he will admit that it works!