In addition to shoes and socks, you may be in need of additional support wear for your body. Running creates a lot of movement and vibration of the body that can cause discomfort. Fortunately, there are many products on the market to aid both men and women in exercise comfort.

Athletic Supporters, Jock Straps, and Compression Shorts

Personal preference dictates the use of these invaluable protective and supportive devices for boys and men. For contact activities (martial arts) and even some unintentional contact sports (soccer), athletic cups and supporters may be preferred. Neither of these is really necessary for running.

However, support for men is still a big issue. Two garment styles that have taken the place of more traditional supporters are running shorts with built-in liners and compression shorts. They reduce movement and vibration, which leads to greater comfort.

Sports Bras

Unlike male support mechanisms that have been around a long time, sports bras were first introduced in the late 1970s. They didn't become widely accepted until the 1980s, when the real running boom hit.

There are three types of sports bras: compression, encapsulation, and combination. Compression-style bras use the pressure of the fabric to squeeze or press the breasts flat against the chest, limiting movement. Small- to medium-breasted women often favor this style.

The encapsulation style limits movement by surrounding and supporting the breasts with reinforced seams or wire (like an underwire bra). Larger-breasted women typically prefer this style. The combination style combines compression and encapsulation.