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Winter work-out gear

January 12, 2005
Family and community services sophomore Cynetheia Rooks wears a matching Under Armour jacket and pants, Nike Air Zoom Miler shoes, Steve and Barry's Spartan gloves and a fleece MSU headband. She is a sprinter on the women's track and field team.

So, you've made a New Year's resolution to get back in shape, right? Yeah, just like the rest of us. But if you do plan to keep that promise, one of the easiest ways to accomplish it is by running. Adapting to unpredictable Michigan weather, however, is a different issue. With some help from Alex Brown, an apparel buyer at Playmakers, 2299 W. Grand River Ave., in Okemos, here's what to wear to keep warm on the trails:

1. Long-sleeved, form-fitting tops are best. Not only do they insulate, but the material will absorb body moisture. Short sleeves are a no-no - it's not summer yet. Cost: About $35.

2. Form-fitting running pants are the best way to keep warm. A pair of baggy sweat pants will work also, but just like the tops, the material will absorb your sweat. But here's a hint - a pair of shorts over the pants keep us from seeing your, er, goodies. Cost: About $50-100, depending on the fabric.

3. As far as shoes go, different feet need different footwear. It's best not to go with that old pair of gym shoes you needed for your high school gym class, but rather to visit a specialty store and find the right fit to avoid injury. If you're into labels, almost every shoe brand has a shoe tailor-made for you. You also can add traction devices, such as Ice Joggers or Yaktrax, to the soles so you can get through Mother Nature's wrath. Cost: About $85-90.

4. You don't need a ton of insulation, such as a heavy jacket or sweatshirt, because your body generates a lot of heat during physical activity. For Michigan weather, a light wind-resistant jacket or vest will do, or you could go with a simple T-shirt. Cost for jacket or vest: $70-75.

Other things: It's all in the accessories. Just like Mom says, don't forget your hat and gloves. Other snazzy accessories such as sunglasses, distance monitors and heart rate monitors can help. Fanny packs or water bottles are good, too, but those bulky items can weigh you down. "It all comes down to comfort," Brown says.

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