Why are running clothes so impractical?

[PilesofGuilt]

I need to get fitter. I need to lose weight. We've just moved house and basically all my spare time has been organising that for the last 4 months.
I have some north face running tights. But they're tights, so basically underwear and show off every bulge and roll of fat. Put a skirt over and I look like a toddler dressed me. Pair of shorts over the top looks even worse. No pockets - so nowhere for a phone, house key and couple of tissues. Ended up tying my jacket around my waist instead of wearing it.

But why can't they make running kit with pockets? Or T-shirts long enough to hide your underwear? Pretty sure no one wants to see my arse in running tights! Am I looking in the wrong place?

Yes I have something similar. Its great and more comfortable than traditional style "belts" with fastenings

I have decent kit from M and S and tesco so you dont need to spend a lot. Leggings from both shops have a phone pocket. I have several pairs of shorts without decent pockets and thats when the flip belt comes into its own.

I also second M&S work out gear to be decent for running, they do some longer line tops.

I also swear by Karrimor stuff- they do great leggings with drawstring waists, & a side pocket. The mens tops are longer length, I get a mans small. It is often reduced in Sports Direct.

my running belt is from karrimor too, which was under £10 from there which doesn't jiggle jiggle when you run.

With a FlipBelt I'd go for waist size. My waist is 31" and a medium fits perfectly with no riding up. Once it's on I'm not aware of it at alI. The waist seems the natural place to wear it to me as the narrowest part of my body (although only just, I'm quite straight up and down). I've never worn it on my hips and I feel it might move up from there.

yeah, all those olympians in their lycra must be doing it wrong!! Loads of men run in leggings in winter.

Try sweaty betty power running leggings. Two different sorts of pockets and a magic drawstring that stops them falling down. They're not cheap although they do have sales and reductions all year on some prints. They last for many years. I am a size 12 ish and have just sized up to M. Running is great-have you a Parkrun in your area? Could be a good target and I've made loads of friends through running, which makes it much easier to keep going. Check out couch to 5k training plans. Someone in your area might do a beginner's group. Good luck OP.

The women wear running knickers but what would the likes of Dina Asher-Smith. know.

I just wear close fitting joggers!

I wear men’s t-shirts too! No one wants to see my arse jiggling about as I run very slowly past them 😂

Leggings and other close fitting clothes are good for running as they don’t flap about. Looser fitting clothes are problematic when they get wet in the rain.

Second (or third) M&S running gear, their leggings and shorts have pockets. I also get Sweaty Betty leggings in the unfashionable prints as they are usually reduced heavily in the sale. SB are the best and most comfortable leggings in my opinion.
For tops I have a variety of long sleeve/ short sleeve and vest tops depending on the weather, mostly M&S but some TK Max or decathalon. There are plenty that are long enough to cover your bottom and you can always size up to get a looser fit (which is what I prefer). I prefer the proper athletic wear to cottonT-shirts as the fabric is sweat wicking and more comfortable if it gets wet in the rain.

with a flip belt, do you go for waist size or hip size? Does it not ride up? (I've a two size difference between top half and bottom half.)

I prefer it round my hips, and under my t-shirt so get a size to fit there. I've just bought a decathlon one which does the job and doesn't ride up.

www.decathlon.co.uk/p/hydration-flask-carrying-running-belt-black/333176/c1m8645720

Nonsense. DH wear Lycra leggings under his running shorts. Plenty of middle aged men in Lycra round here.

You rarely see men in them as they are uncomfortable. They're not uncomfortable unless they are too tight. Some brands' sizes run small. (looking at you Adidas). Shoes vary from brand to brand too.

I have these from M&S they are looser than leggings but not as baggy as joggers and very lightweight fabric. I have about 3 pairs as so comfortable.
https://www.marksandspencer.com/go-balance-cuffed-yoga-jogger/p/clp60636039?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

I’m going to run club tonight and will report back on what everyone’s wearing. We’re off road so people might be in longs to avoid being torn to shreds or getting horrid rashes.

I've got some really good Under Armour leggings with a pocket each side. Thay are my absolute faves and they are a bit like spanx - sort of hold everything in nice and firmly! So that might be of interest in controlling any bulges, OP.

This brand boasts of having 2 side phone pockets and a zipped back pocket.
i have only had socks from them so far but am fancying their shorts for the summer.
https://bimbleandbolt.com/collections/bottoms-leggings

Yes I like mine snug on my waist so it doesn’t bounce around

I wear black leggings, a black fitted cotton slip that ends just below my bum, fitted compression vest, and a black waist length light weight running vest. Works for me.

Next do (or at least did last year) activewear that was longer. I have a T-shirt that comes down past my bum.

just checked and they still do. £17. Can’t link from app but was easy to find.

The majority of my running clothes come from the Good Move collection at M&S. I've also picked up running tops from mountain warehouse and Trespass. I hate tight fitting stuff so pick stuff which is loose fitting.

I have a running belt which I picked up from Amazon for £10. It's brilliant and holds my phone and a door key. I use shockz bone conductor wireless headphones for listening to music whilst running

My running are also from Decathlon and they do have a decent pocket. I love their sports bras too!

I like Ron Hill running tights. Mine have a zip pocket at the back and a phone pocket in the thigh. Reflective stripe. Stay up. Wash and wear well. Love ‘em. I have knee length, 7/8 and full length.

Lidl have their running kit in store this week

But why can't they make running kit with pockets? Or T-shirts long enough to hide your underwear? Pretty sure no one wants to see my arse in running tights! Am I looking in the wrong place?

Short answer: yes.

I started out with wearing Primark exercise gear: pockets, long baggy vest tops. I now buy stuff that's a bit nicer as I spend a lot of time in the gym, but of course you can find the sorts of things you want. You just haven't looked.