27 July 2022
Running belts are some of the most beneficial accessories for those who love to get fit through running or jogging. When I looked into running for exercise, I wondered if running belts could be uncomfortable during my workout.
I was specifically concerned that running belts might bounce or chafe as I moved. I researched this topic to find out how much trust I should put in the useful accessory, and to find the answer to the question: do running belts bounce?
Running belts are designed to benefit people who move forward in a jog or a run without chafing or bouncing too much during high-impact motion.
So running belts can’t help but bounce about as much as one’s clothing might while running, but they are designed to bounce as little as possible! Let’s take a closer look at running belts and their pros and cons.
Table of Contents
Benefits of Running Belts
Running belts weren’t invented for nothing! They are excellent accessories for runners, and here are a few reasons why:
- Running Belts Hold Your Stuff
- Running Belts Are Designed to Minimize Bouncing
- Running Belts Can Be Stylish
Let’s take a closer look at each of these benefits to get a good idea of why running belts might be worth a little bouncing!
1. Running Belts Hold Your Stuff
I personally love to listen to music through cordless headphones when I run. Without that, I tend to get bored and question my decision to run in the first place! Therefore, having a running belt that can hold not only my headphone case, but my mobile phone and even a few accessories like keys and water bottles is a big bonus for me, and probably several other runners, too!
2. Running Belts Are Designed to Minimize Bouncing
Running belts are practical thanks to the high-impact nature of running exercises. They are made to be sleek and lightweight, unlike regular belts which often feature heavier buckles or are made from thick leather and nylon.
Running belts are made of sweat-wicking materials so that they’re soft but firm enough to hold anything a runner might otherwise have to carry. They are designed to lie flat against the waist, tight enough to keep any weighty items close to your core so that they bounce as little as possible.
3. Running Belts Can Be Stylish
Insecurity was a big discouragement for me when choosing to run, whether at the gym or outside. Not many people look good while they’re running because physical exertion causes redness, sweating, and heavy breathing.
Looking stylish is one of the ways to fight that insecure feeling while out for a run, which is why jogging shorts and clothing is styled as well as practical. Running belts are no exception. For example, Lululemon designs a broad running belt with a camo print. When a running belt makes you feel like you look cool, you can get a little excited to run just so you can show it off!
Disadvantages of Running Belts
As great as running belts seem so far, there are a few factors you might want to know about before purchasing one. After all, running is a serious habit to get into: you should be aware of anything that might make it harder!
- Limited Space
- Slight Bounce
Here’s a more detailed look at why these disadvantages could be a deal-breaker when you decide to run with a running belt.
1. Limited Space
Running belts are designed to hold your stuff, but they can only carry so much. The more your running belt holds, the further its center of gravity is from your body’s core. This means that to prevent chafing and bounce, most running belts can only hold small water bottles and little accessories like phones and keys.
An alternative to a running belt with more space might be a backpack or knapsack.
2. Slight Bounce
The truth is, even though running belts are designed to minimize bouncing, anything that is attached to your body during a run is doomed to bounce a little. So while running belts might be close enough to your core to only move a tiny bit whenever you take a step, they are still moving.
If this is enough of a distraction to throw off your running rhythm, you may want to pass on a running belt.
Summary
In summary, running belts do bounce as a natural consequence of the body is in motion. However, running belt manufacturers are aware of this issue and designed the belts to minimize bouncing so that it isn’t excessive.
If a tiny bit of bouncing is acceptable in light of the fact that they can hold your accessories and look stylish, the running belt is the right choice for you!
