Fitness

Is It Time to Ditch Your Workout Gear?

Have your battered running shoes and stretched-out sports bra had enough? Here's when to call it quits with your workout gear

by Sarah Carrillo

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Socks It's usually pretty obvious when you need to replace those old (holey) socks. Sure, nobody will see the holes, but your feet will suffer -- and you'll end up with painful and unsightly blisters.

When to toss them: Obviously if there are any holes or thinning in the material, it's time to splurge on some new socks. Another early warning sign: If you feel them moving separately from your foot when exercising; socks should grip your feet like a second skin.

What to replace them with: The right socks will not only last longer, but also keep your feet feeling good during and after your workout. So look for ones with cushioning on the sole and made from a micro-fiber fabric (as opposed to cotton, which retains the sweat from your feet and creates a wet environment for bacteria and fungus).

*Sources: Andrew Schrage, co-owner of Money Crashers Personal Finance. John Paul Ouvrier, director of Fitness4Charity.org.

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Older comments

Love buying new work out gear, it motivates me ot get running

by cindy11052 Sunday, March 3, 2013 at 06:43AM Report as inappropriate

This is great! I hate throwing out workout gear and buying new stuff because, let's face it, I don't really look that great the gym no matter what I'm wearing! But I should definitely invest in some new running shoes.

by schien Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at 09:18PM Report as inappropriate