Products | Complete Runner

Cold Weather Solutions to Keep You Fit!

December 14, 2016 By Complete Runner

The temperature has definitely taken a plunge from only a month ago. For walkers and runners, it’s time to spend more time on exercise equipment in the comfort of their own home. There are a few things that you want to consider when buying your first piece of equipment or when looking for an upgrade to what you already have.

What do I need?

There are so many different equipment types available today that it’s a good idea to understand what you want to get out of the machine. For walkers and runners, a treadmill is the natural choice. A good treadmill can give you years of service with little to no maintenance. Most new machines have programs to target your activity goals.

If you are looking for non-impact, an Elliptical is a great choice. You want to look for an Elliptical that mimics Good Form Running instead of a cross country ski or shuffle motion. Another non-impact option would be a recumbent bike. Recumbent bikes are great for someone who is rehabbing a leg injury as it lets you sit comfortably while achieving aerobic exercise and working the muscle groups in your legs.

Features

Some versions of a machine will have more or less options; so identify what fits your needs the best. Here are some great features to consider.

Heart rate- this feature can be used to target the aerobic level of your activity.
Programs- pre-set programs can help you attain your fitness goals with options such as hill workouts, intervals, heart rate based, and fat burn.
Display- Large LCD displays can make viewing workout data much easier while in motion.
Motor- good quality treadmills will have a minimum of 3HP commercial motors. This helps keep the belt running smooth regardless of speed or incline you are running or walking at.
Quick speed and incline keys- for treadmills, these keys allow you to pick a specific speed or incline instantly.
Brakes- hand brakes allow for quick stopping on ellipticals and recumbent bikes.
Cooling- integrated fans can be a great option during workouts.
Media- a good sound system is key when working out. A media input will allow you to play music from a phone, tablet or music device through exterior speakers.

Quality

Not all equipment is created equally. Professional-grade machines are built specifically to take years of use with little or no maintenance. The frame is very important as it’s the foundation the machine is built on and will determine the stability of it. A commercial grade structural steel frame with powder-coat paint will be sturdy and durable. Be sure to look at the weight rating of the machine. The higher the rating the more stable the machine will be under heavy use and the bigger the person it can accommodate. Since this is a long term investment, a good warranty will help protect that investment. Look for a lifetime warranty on the frame and motor, 5-10 years on parts and 1 year on labor.

Having a good piece of exercise equipment in your home can be a convenient way to stay active during the winter months or to keep that training program on schedule. Complete Runner has a wide variety of professional-grade treadmills, ellipticals and recumbent bikes in the store for you to try out. You won’t find our equipment at your local department store, since our exercise equipment is specifically built for serious runners and athletes. Come in and let us show you how to keep you going the distance this winter.

Exercise Equipment Coupon Flint MI

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We Are Ready for Winter Running and Walking. Are You?

October 1, 2016 By Complete Runner

Winter will be here before we know it – along with the cold, ice, and snow. Stop into Complete Runner to see our selection slip resistant and waterproof shoes for running and walking this winter!

Athleisure vs. Tech Wear

September 30, 2016 By Complete Runner

screen-shot-2016-10-01-at-10-37-08-pm

We know Athleisure is all the rage these days, with those “cute” outfits. What if those cute outfits actually helped you perform?

Take the outfit pictured here. It has every one of the features listed below, does yours?

We only sell the real deal at Complete Runner.

screen-shot-2016-10-01-at-10-36-27-pm

Top 3 Reasons you Need to Cross Train

April 6, 2016 By Complete Runner

Elliptigo Flint Michigan

It balances your muscle groups. Focusing on other muscle groups like inner thighs and abs in your cross training lets the muscles you usually use rest while building up others. You will see improvement in your running/walking as you add more strength to the other muscles.
It improves your running/walking aerobic capacity. Without the impact on your body of running or walking, by adding cardio to your cross training you can build on similar benefits of running.
It reduces your chance of injury. By balancing your weaker muscles with your stronger ones, you’ll help reduce your chance of injury. Low-impact cross training activities, such as swimming, biking or the like, will lessen the stress on your joints.

Any training program worth its salt will have cross training as a part of it. Here’s why: We know that running can be hard on the body because of the impact forces that it generates. You’re hitting that ground at 3 times your body weight. If you can get benefit without the impact, all the better.

We were just introduced to the Elliptigo, a great cross training option. A recent study found that riding an ElliptiGo required on average 33% more effort than cycling at the same speed. It also determined that heart rate responses and perceived exertion levels were similar between the ElliptiGo and running. You can also do interval training on it just as you would running but without the negative cost of impact. We liked it so much, we now carry it.

Stronger, Faster, Less Injuries with Strong Glutes, Hams, and Quads

January 26, 2016 By Complete Runner

Spirit E-Glide CG800

We know, some of you refuse to use indoor training equipment and we admire your ability to stay committed even in the cold weather. Some, however, prefer to bring it in when it gets cold. You diehards may consider thinking of it as cross-training, focusing on building the muscles you use when you’re out there.

Older Elliptical machines typically mimic cross country skiing, sort of like a shuffle, not really keeping with Good Form. The new machines are more similar to the running and walking motion. A flywheel allows full weight bearing without the impact, a motion that works the Brachial Quadriceps, Satorius, Abbuctor Longus, Gluteus Maximus, Anterior Tibial and Gastrocnemius… In other words giving you a great BUTT!

Bodyguard E-40

Introducing Hoka Track Spikes [Exclusive]

January 25, 2016 By Complete Runner

HokaSpike3

Yup, you heard that right.

Complete Runner will be the exclusive dealer in Michigan for the Brand New Hoka Spikes as seen on Leo Manzano, 2 time Olympian and Silver Medalist.

RSVP for Hoka Spike Night

We are also having an Exclusive Hoka Spike Night February 17 at 5:30 pm with Hoka Representatives and Cool Giveaways. Every Coach represented by an athlete will be entered in to a draw for one of 2 pairs of Hoka shoes. You may want to RSVP for this one! Give us a call at 810-233-8851.

HokaSpike

Shoe Life Tracker

December 16, 2015 By Complete Runner

Are you waiting until you get an injury before you change your shoes? Not anymore. Now you can know when it’s time to get a new pair.

The shoe life tracker fits seamlessly under your shoe’s insole and uses advanced algorithms to determine impact forces and stride frequency, letting you know exactly when your shoes are worn-out.

How the Shoe Tracker Works

Place the tracker under the insole and press the blue button to start
Periodically hold down the blue button to check the status of your shoes
When the light turns RED, it’s time to replace your shoes!

Hoka Has Done it Again!

October 28, 2015 By Complete Runner

We all know how Hoka One One took the running/walking community by storm with their uber cushioning and light weight shoes, we’ll they’ve done it again. But, this time it’s a Waterproof boot.

Hoka One One cushioning has benefited runners/walkers around the globe for 6 yrs, and the same cushioning is now available to hikers in the Tor Summit WP. A groundbreaking blend of running shoe cushioning and supportive trekking uppers come to play in the TOR ULTRA HI WP to create a category-defining outdoor boot. A combination of leather and tough nylon mesh provides support around the foot and ankle, and Event® waterproofing keeps your feet dry. Vibram® MegaGrip outsole rubber on our proven midsole blend of EVA and RMAT® material provides both traction and cushioning, and a smooth, natural ride. You’ve gotta try these!

BFF (Bra Friend Forever)

May 26, 2015 By Complete Runner

running bra

We’ve all heard 90% of all women are wearing the wrong bras size, well, there’s something to that. After your shoes, your sports bra is your most important piece of equipment. Running and Walking are high impact sports. Repetitive bouncing from running cause pain and stretch the Coopers ligaments permanently resulting in drooping breasts. Coopers Ligaments help hold the breasts up. It is not just the larger breasted woman who suffers breast pain when running; smaller breasted women can suffer from this too.

Okay, so how do you prevent that? Here are a few tips:

Choose a High Impact Sports Bra
Get a proper bra fitting (it’s free, go ahead)
If you choose to do it yourself measure your rib cage under your breast and then, your breasts at the nipple. The rib is your band size and the difference between the two is your cup size. Not all bras are sized the same but 0” =AA, 1” =A, 2” =B, 3” =C, 4” =D, 5” =DD….. So a 32” rib and 36” bust is a 32D.
There should be not spill over.
Make sure it fits snugly on the rib; no more than one finger should fit between you and the bra. The back should be straight across with no riding up.
When you get a new bra fit it to the first hook so that as it stretches you can move it in to get longer wear out of it.
We carry several High Impact Brands and Styles and Saturday June 6 Brooks will be doing Bra Fittings at Complete Runner all day!

Hope to see you there.

Activity Bands, GPS Watches, and Super Watches: Which One is Right for You?

April 30, 2015 By Complete Runner

Garmin Vivoactive Flint MI

Not too long ago one of the only options runners had for watches was a $20 Timex that tracked your time along with a few laps, and if you were lucky it was the Indiglo model that featured a light to see the time in the dark.

The rise of the internet and technology has now put the power of a computer on our wrists with the recent launch of the Apple Watch, but has also given runners many more choices than ever. On the other end of the spectrum are activity bands, and somewhere in the middle of super watches and activity bands are GPS watches. More choices are good but also can make it more confusing to know what watch is best for you. So, which one is right for you?

Activity Bands

If you are only looking to track your general daily activity such as steps and sleeping patterns an activity band may be all you need. These are the least expensive and simplest form of tracking devices that will give you basic information about your fitness levels, and typically connect to the computer.

GPS Running Watches

Coming a long way from the original Timex, current GPS running watches are very sophisticated tracking just about anything you need, and also sending the information to your computer and possibly your phone via an app. These devices are now sometimes referred to a personal running coach as some functionality even goes as far as encouraging you to reach the goals you set.

Super Watches

If you want it all, super watches typically combine the best of activity bands and GPS watches, as well as pair to your phone for added connectivity. The Apple Watch and Garmin Vivoactive are such watches that aren’t only good for runners but for other general fitness activities as well.

Still not sure what device is best for you? Don’t worry, we can help. Come into Complete Runner and let us know what you want to accomplish and we will help to point you in the right direction.