Shorts

One of the most important items of clothing in the kit bag. Tracksuit trousers are heavy, they hold sweat and will heat you up far too quickly as gyms are generally quite warm.

For longer runs, ensure that your shorts do not chafe, while long, Lycra trousers are useful in the winter. Tight, buttock-hugging Lycra shorts are fine under another pair of shorts but, alone, they won't earn you many friends in the gym.

Vest

Whether a t-shirt or a sleeveless top, these should be made of a material that wicks sweat away from your body; cotton is not a good idea as it gets heavy and can chafe your skin.

Jacket

For colder weather, when running outside, a dry-fit jacket is essential to both wick sweat away from the body and also for keeping the wind and rain out.

Socks

Sports socks have evolved hugely. Get some that provide cushioning if you are doing a lot of running, and that absorb the sweat from your foot.

Heart-rate monitor

These are perfect for letting you know exactly how hard you are training (or, indeed, if you need to push yourself harder). They are reasonably priced, effective and very useful. There are also lots of gadgets about - from GPS watches to shoes with microchips - that will supply information to your wrist or portable digital player that would normally only be available on a treadmill.

Sport shoes

It is vital to wear the right shoes, and be aware that different shoes are needed for different activities. A dedicated pair of running shoes should be the most important item in your collection.

See Sports Shoes

See Home Gyms

• Share online