Hello! The other day I was at the 99 and was reminded this is the best place to buy throw away gloves for race day. That made me think about all the other cheap running gear options there are out there.
Even though running seems like it should be a low cost sport – between running shoes, and wick-wear gear and races – it can really be expensive!
So here are some cheap options for running gear and running essentials:
Cheap Running Gear
1. Gloves for 99 cents. These are great as part of your throw-away race day gear too!
Tip: Gloves double as a tissue for me… don’t judge.
2. C9 Champion capris
Running shorts and capris can be super pricey. Those ‘fancy’ fitness gear stores sell them for $80.00 a pair.
C9 Champion is a good option you can get at Target for less than half the price.
C9 Compression Capris / C9 Knee length Running Tights
I haven’t seen a good pair of running shorts from them, but I’ll keep an eye out. (“Good” as in anti-thigh rub.)
3. Gatorade instead of fancier (and more $$) endurance drinks.
Or make your own with juice and salt. When I’ve done long runs while traveling I’ve mixed OJ, water and a dash of salt for a quick fix!
4. Long run fuel is necessary for half marathon and marathon training – but 16+ weeks of miles and miles mean tons of gels and chews.
Save money by using gummy bears, Swedish fish or similar candies instead of the usual running chews.
5. Sports bras from Marshall’s, TJ Maxx or outlets. After running shoes I feel like a quality sports bra is right up there in importance and price.
I’ve scored great deals at Target and Marshall’s on good no-bounce sports-bras. 
6. Vaseline instead of Body Glide.
Tip: I’ve also seen someone use deodorant for glide!
7. App for distance/time instead of a fancy GPS watch.
Nike+ Running for iphone or droid
8. Technically, this isn’t gear but it is an essential piece of a runner’s arsenal. Bananas from TJ’s are $.19 each or $1.99 for a massive pack from Costco. I need them.
Question: What’s your favorite cheap fitness idea or tip?
I love these shorts from target for running:
http://www.target.com/p/c9-champion-women-s-power-core-compression-knee-tight/-/A-15620877#prodSlot=_1_13
They’re a little thin, but they have a 7″ inseam, which is the most fabulous thing that has ever happened to my knees and thighs simultaneously – my knees are cooler, because I am indeed wearing shorts, but my thighs still have 2 layers in between them to keep from chaffing.
Also, target often has them on sale for 11.99. Just remember, if you buy them online you want the 7″ inseam, not the 5″!!
Great tips – thanks for them!
I love the C9 capris from Target!!! I have so many of them and they are fantastic. I never thought of using gummy bears as fuel during a race but I am totally trying that this year, thanks!!
Never thought to make my own drink….great idea!!
Sierra Trading Post has great deals too! They usually have additional % off and you can get Cashback through Ebates!
I laughed at your glove as tissues idea- my shirt usually doubles as mine (I know, super gross, but I usually don’t hang out in it for a long time post-run!
YES! Marshall’s and TJX is where it’s at for running clothes! I even JUST scored 2 (TWO!!!) pair’s of mizuno’s (last years models, but I don’t care) for $80. And I even found Nathan belts and water bottles there. Actually, I think I got my 2 pairs of Brooks and Brooks gloves from there last year too…
cheap tube socks do double duty as mittens/snot rags for me:-)
I love TJMaxx for deals on sports gear!
I’ve bought some awesome running gear off of Ebay, yes its used but I’ve found some new with tag items too. Target, TJ Maxx or Marshalls for sports bras.
I use Endomondo app to track my miles instead of a Garmin. I love the fact that I can create interval runs with it as well.
I totally agree with the buying workout gear from target or tjmaxx… I can’t stand how expensive some workout clothes are in fancier stores! Bahhhh. And that’s such a good idea to use gummy bears or swedish fish instead of actual fuel. SO much cheaper and does the same thing!
Nordstrom Rack!!! They carry some running gear, but you have to go more than once, as they are constantly getting stuff in. I scored some work out bras there, half the price but the same quality. Win win.
Walmart surprisingly also has great running tights! Look for the “performance capris”, and they run a little big so get a smaller size than you normally do. I love them and recently bought 4 pairs at less than $13 bucks each!
Great tips! I agree on TJ MAxx and Marshall’s. I scored a fab pair of New Balance tights for 9.99 a few weeks ago and Champion bra’s are some of my faves. I have nothing to bounce so I don’t need super supportive bra’s ha! So, with that said cute prints and colors are what I’m after and Target delivers.
My local shoe store carries the running shoe I like to wear and they have a big sale once a year when they try to get rid of the previous year’s model. Anyway, I always hit that sale and have scored pretty good deals. They also have what they call “trunk shows” from time to time where they debut new models and have great discounts (they also do a drawing to give away a free pair). Lots of local stores do stuff like this so it’s a good idea to check in to and you get to support locally owned businesses!
Also, I usually buy an extra pair of cheapo gloves for my phone. Here in the frozen tundra there are some times when my poor little iphone will die because it gets too cold (why do I live an a place that is too cold for a phone, I’ll never know). Anyway, I found that putting the phone inside a pair of gloves gives it strength to carry on when it’s cold. Yes, I baby my phone.
I loved these tips! I’m a huge fan of Gap running tights! When they have additional sales on their clearance merchendise, you can get amazing capris for under $20! And I would say comparable (and even slightly better) than lululemon. The best price I got them was for $12! If you like old navy, you’ll like gap stuff as well!
Thanks for the tips! I definitely hate spending more money than necessary on running and workout gear, so any ways that I can keep costs down is a plus.
Thanks for the recommendations! Just what I was looking for to prep for my first half marathon! I really like Jcpenney’s brand of activewear Xersion. I usually wait till they have a sale & a $10 off $10 coupon or a $10 off $25 coupon.
I am so cheap when it comes to work out gear. I buy all of my stuff at Target, TJ Max, and Old Navy. I really love the sports bras at TJ Max and buy all of my running tights at Old Navy!
I like the FILA gear from Kohl’s, but I also like TJ Maxx or Marshalls and anything on sale there. And I’m also one of those cyclists who uses diaper cream for anti-chafing.
Nike+ Running is what I use! Love it!
I totally use Trader Joe’s Jelly beans as my midrun fuel over buying the “sports” beans and other “sports” food products. I also use MapMyRun for years instead of investing in a garmin. As for sports bras, I get them at Forever 21 in their workout section. They are really great for me and super cheap!
Whenever I’m at my dermatologist I stock up on the freebie samples of aquaphor. They’re small and fit well in a waist pack, and I use it for lip balm and to combat chapped face from the wind (I live on the beach in New England — cold windy runs are a fact of life!)
For running gear I usually hit up Kohls, Old Navy and Target. Kohls has Nike gear which I have absolutely loved. They also have a longer inseam short, which works great for girls that are proud of their leg muscles 🙂 Old Navy shirts don’t really work for me, since they’re too long, but he long running leggings are pretty awesome (still long, but I just fold the bottom up, which creates a perfect pouch for energy chews). From Target I usually get the sports bras, cheap and pretty good quality so far.
I make my own gatorade based on oral rehydration salts and kool-aid. It’s easy and cheap and does the trick. I’m also all about the gummy bears and using diaper cream for anti-chafe (lots of cyclists do this).
Great post! I will sometimes make my own sports drink mixture too – I put frozen fruit in water, let it defrost a bit, and add salt. It’s tasty while I’m drinking it and I also get to munch on the fruit while I’m out there. It looks kind of gross in my bottle, but I like it, haha 🙂
all my running stuff is lululemon (i used to work there and basically made zero dollars cause it all went to stretchy pants).. but to be fair i refuse to buy any more until the stuff i have literally falls apart.
however, my favorite cheap piece of running gear is my fancy waterproof iPhone case… otherwise known as a ziploc bag. that thing is legit.
Before I had a fancy schmancy foam roller, I used a wooden rolling pin. Not only does it work great but I still pull it out from time to time when I’m really tight!
I buy running tights from Walmart, for me $80 is still too much for a pair from Target. I haven’t run long enough distances to need gels or glide, but I will remember that. I also have a GPS watch, because we have limited data on our phones, so an app is not an option for me, it would chew up too much data.
For my long run fuel I use honey packets from Starbucks! They are 100% free and are an all natural boost. Honey also seems to upset my stomach less than other processed fuels.
I’m with you on the gloves as tissues. I have the fingerless glove that has a little pouch that you can pull over your fingers (that doesn’t make sense….) Anyway, it’s a great snot pocket! ha ha My husband thinks I’m gross, but my nose runs so bad when I run…. and I just throw them in the wash. Perfection!
Old Navy has some great running clothes too!
I always scour the internet for my specific sneaker model and look for sales. And I always wear the tech shirts that I’ve been given included with race fees. If they are ugly I’ll wear them as a base layer 😉
I totally wear race tech tees! Love ’em!
I love the longer workout shorts from Target. I wear them all summer! I also always check Old Navy and TJMaxx for workout gear!
I love running because it cheap. I can take it anywhere and requires no cost. Another cheap tip that I like is shopping in the children’s section for socks, sport bras, shirts, pants, and such. They usually have similar styles and are WAY cheaper. Thanks.
I wear 2 sports bras, and pack the in between layer with my phone and gels. It’s a cheap way for me to not have to have a belt or a armband, but I definitely need to buy a belt like spibelt, or hip sisters.
This. Is. GENIUS.
I try to buy my running gear in the off season. Last year I got hats and gloves at Walmart for 50 cents. Every time I’m in Target I look through the clearance running section to see if I need anything. (although I have so many running clothes!) I also was able to get a used GPS watch from another runner who was upgrading!
Old navy has great capris and shorts – I love my target sports bras but my old navy running pants/shorts have withstood multiple seasons. they’re also on sale a good portion of the time too and their tank tops are extra long (always a bonus for me because I if you throw a cute sweater overtop suddenly you’re not *just* too lazy to get dressed!).
It’s been so long since I’ve been to Old Navy!
Marshall’s and TJ Maxx are the BEST for running clothes! I like to take jelly beans on my long runs, so much cheaper than those energy beans. PS gloves totally double as a tissue. I always thought I was weird for doing that.
Jelly Beans FTW!
Great tips! I use some of them, too, like shopping at Marshall’s for running clothes. One cheap running food I take when I run – raisins.