Can New Gear Bring You Your Next Big PR?

Featured Photo: Nike

Gear guides are everywhere this time of year. Companies are pushing slimming, flattering and bright colored gear to surely help you reach your ideal weight, get the six-pack abs you have always wanted or reach your next race PR. I often get caught up in the ads (marketing major - obviously they have an effect on me). Will this new gear make me faster? Perhaps I can win my next 5k race if I have the newest Nike Flyknit shoes.

Thoughts are constantly running through my head. How do I get the edge that I am looking for to boost my performance? If all it takes is fresh new gear, then everyone could have their dream body. Unfortunately, the fact of the matter is, while you need good gear to perform your best, you probably don't need the newest version of each shoe, even if the colors are brighter, the cushioning has increased in depth or concentration and they're marketed to take you to the next level.

I am THE WORST at saying no to the newest shoe or dri-fit fabric on the market. Recently, I have been asking myself what good are they doing? It's fun to take fitness photos and post to social media in bright, new, eye-catching designs. However, is it really helping my performance? The answer is, probably not, and it might even be hurting my performance.

I tend to spend more than just a few minutes looking at new gear, reading the benefits and finally making my purchase. What if I spent these precious minutes training to get faster? Or what if I went to a yoga class to stretch out my tight muscles instead of browsing the internet for the latest and greatest gear? I am willing to bet my performance would improve quicker and my bank account balance would grow. Win-win!

We all need new gear at times and a new pair of shoes can definitely light a fire in an otherwise stagnant workout routine. But as I am learning, sometimes I need to spend more time focusing on training to become better than getting the newest gear. Effort, dedication and plain hard work will be the difference in whether or not you get your next PR. No magical shoe or racing singlet can be used in place of proper training.

So next time you catch yourself eyeing the newest gear, ask yourself if it will really be something that will enhance your performance. Sometimes it will be something you need, but more often than not, I think you will find yourself realizing that training is what will get you to the next level.

What do you think? Have you had these thoughts? Is new gear getting in the way of you realizing your personal best?