Running and Fitness Equipment Recs Based on Our Experience

We have compiled a comprehensive list here of our best running and fitness equipment recs based on experience. This means we are sharing our favorite running gear, home workout equipment, and active dog gear. After trying and testing many fitness products over the years, these are our very favorite products that can make running, hiking, walking, and weightlifting more fun. You can also check out our top fitness equipment and running gear recs in the Runstreet Amazon Shop. From long run gear to home gym equipment and fitness clothing, we have our best gear recommendations listed below. Here are the winners:

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Runstreet’s Shop with Our Top Picks

You can check out our top running gear, fitness equipment, and book recs in the Runstreet Amazon Shop. And our top running books and adventure books are in our Runstreet Bookshop and on Amazon.

Long Run Gear

Long runs require extra preparation, with running fuel, backpacks, and more. Here are Coach Marnie’s top long run gear recs based on trials and experience:

• Salomon Unisex Active Skin8 Running Vest is our go-to long run vest that comfortably carries running fuel, water bladders, and more with a large secured zippered back compartment, front pockets for easy access to fuel, and a lightweight, moisture-wicking design. Marnie has worn this running vest for trail half marathons and long trail runs and loves it.

• Runstreet Performance Running Hat is comfortable for running in all weather. This moisture-wicking adidas performance hat will keep you shielded form the sun and rain so you can run through anything. We also, of course, appreicate the support of Runstreet!☺️

• Body Glide is a lifesaver to prevent painful chafing that often happens on long runs. Just slide it on anywhere that chafing occurs - under arms, along waistbands, underwear lines, etc, and enjoy a chafe-free run! This convenient stick is lightweight so you can tale it on the run if you’re doing really long distances.

• Skratch Hydration Drink Mix and Nuun Electrolyte Tablets are our favorite electrolyte powders for long runs. Just drop it in your water bottle for much-needed hydration on long runs or when running in heat and humidity.

• Fitletic - Ultimate II Running Pouch and Waist Belt is our fave running belt for regular base runs or long runs where you don’t need enough gear to warrant a vest or backpack. This comfortable, adjustable running fuel belt has secured zipper pockets for storing your phone, wallet, ID, and running gels or other fuels.

• For running fuel, Honey Stingers are tasty, organic, and taste so much like breakfast waffles that you’ll be excited to hit your next fuel point on long runs and in races. Honey Stinger Organic Mini Waffles will give you energy on the run and your taste buds will love them (if you also love waffles). For convenient chews, try Honey Stinger Organic Energy Chew Variety Pack.

Gear for Running with Dogs

My rescue dog, Kiyoshi, is very picky and opinionated (apparently this is not uncommon with Akitas). She has traveled all across the country and even to Canada with me and gone on hikes and runs everywhere. Here are her top picks for dog gear:

Kiyoshi’s Top Dog Gear Recs on Amazon

You can also find our best dog gear picks for Chewy and Amazon on our sister site, Book of Dog.

Best Running Books

We have a selection of our best running book picks in our Runstreet Bookshop and on Amazon.

“Let Your Mind Run: A Memoir of Thinking My Way to Victory,” by Deena Kastor

In this motivating running memoir, elite distance runner Deena Kastor offers insights into her training and life. Her strategies for mental training were especially useful and inspiring.

Related: Best Running Books to Get Inspired

“The Rise of the Ultra Runners: A Journey to the Edge of Human Endurance,” by  Adharanand Finn 

This fascinating look at ultra running gives you an inside look at the experience of running an ultra for the first time. The book also delves into the higher levels of ultra running and includes interviews with elite ultra runners. The book also explains the qualification process and running of the world's most presitigous ultra race, the Ultra-Trail Du Mont-Blanc (UTMB). A must read for all runners and a great new running book to add to your collection.

Home Gym Equipment

Through trial and error, we’ve tested and found the best fitness gear for your home workouts. From working out in a small Brooklyn apartment, Runstreet founder and trainer Marnie tried many different fitness products in the years since covid hit, and these are the highest quality and most flexible ones for small spaces and for lasting fitness results. You do not need a lot of home gym equipment to get started — we recommend some fitness mats, dumbbells and resistance bands for a budget-friendly setup. If you can invest a little more, the most important piece of larger home fitness equipment is a weight bench. You can get an adjustable bench that folds for easy storage and freeing up space if you need to use the area for other things as well.

Related Post: 10 Best Compound Exercises with Dumbbells

Weights and Mats

ProSourceFit is the best fitness equipment manufacturer we’ve found for home gym equipment. Whether you need a pair or dumbbells, an adjustable weight bench or puzzle mats that you can take apart and store easily, ProSourceFit has got you covered. In addition to offering high-quality fitness equipment, ProSourceFit has excellent customer service and detailed shipping updates and information. You can check out their site here.

Some top fitness equipment for getting started in your home gym include:

• Puzzle Mats. These come in different color options and thicknesses. I recommend the thicker mats and use the 1”-thick puzzle mats the most for maximum cushioning.

• Adjustable weight bench is a key piece of home fitness equipment that will allow you to do the best upper body weight workout exercise — the bench press — as well as can be used for dips, one-legged squat and lunge variations, and hip thrusts (the best glute building exercise).

• Dumbbells are a home gym staple. You can add intensity to so many exercises by using dumbbells. Our favorite dumbbels are CAP dumbbells, which come in different size options.

Resistance Bands

Fit Simplify Resistance Loop Exercise Bands and Carry Bag, Set of 5 are very afforable, convenient and come in five strengths to adjust your resistance for any fitness level. Resistance bands are a key stability and strength building tool and they are great for all fitness levels to improve stability and compliment weight training with lower body exercises. We’ve used this brand for years and always recommend them to runners and anyone doing a home strength training program.

You can get budget-friendly home gym equipment on Amazon or Wal-Mart. Since these sites have third party sellers, it’s important to research the specific brand and check out reviews so you know they provide durable, quality equipment. Not all sellers on Amazon offer high-quality equipment or good service, so check their return policy and reviews.

Advanced Home Fitness Equipment

If you have a larger budget or are an advanced weightlifter, check out ProSourceFit’s Olympic barbell, which is a sturdy and durable barbell that we use. The women’s barbell is 33 lbs. and 79 inches long, and the men’s barbell is 44 lbs. and 86.6 inches long. Be sure to measure your space before getting this barbell as it will take up more space than your dumbbells and weight bench. The barbell is a great investment for those who want to build lean muscle and improve strength more quickly than by using dumbbells alone. The great thing about a barbell is you have almost unlimited weight amounts you can add so you have lots of room to grow in your fitness program.

If you get a barbell, you will also need clamps and weight plates. Unless you want to weightlift your exact bar amount (which is a great way to start), you will need weight plates to add more weight to the bar. We recommend starting with 10-lb. bumper plates and as you advance in your training, you can always order heavier plates. You’ll need some sort of clamp to hold your weights in place on the barbell. Some barbell clamps or collars are pretty rough on the hands or require a strong grip strength to use and these clamps do not have that problem — they’re easy to use for all fitness levels.

Protein Supplements

In general, I do not recommend sports or diet supplements as the industry is not regulated to the degree that foods are regulated, and some substances have dangerous and illegal ingredients added. However, sometimes for intense training, it is hard to eat enough protein in daily life, and in those cases, s protein supllement can help compliment a healthy eating program and provide a boost of protein between meals. If you are going to take a protein supplement, carefully read the label, looking at inactive ingreidents as well as active ingredients. Some protein powders have a lot of added sugar and calories, and others have banned substances in them. There are third party entities that check for dangeours substances in protein powders.

Here are some certifications you can look for on a protein powder: the NSF Certified for Sport certification, which means the product has been tested for more than 270 banned substances, and has passed manufacturing facility auditing, and ongoing product monitoring. For standard NSF certification, a dietary supplement is tested by NSF to verify it contains exactly what is listed on the label, does not pose a health or environmental risk, and does not contain common contaminants (such as bacteria or undeclared ingredients). Informed Choice and BSCG also test for banned substances in their certification process.

For whey protein, I use ON Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey powder. This whey powder is certified by Informed Choice, which means it has been tested for banned substances. It also has only 2 grams of added sugar. Whey powder contains dairy so this product is not vegan.

For a vegan protein powder, I use Orgain Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder, which is a USDA-certified organic vegan protein powder with 0 grams of added sugar.

Related Posts: 10 Best Exercises for Home Workouts, 10 Best Bodyweight Arm Exercises