How to Clean Running Shoes

Learn some tricks to keep those shoes shining.

Laundry can be such a tricky thing. There are lots of different materials that have to be washed in a certain way or they may break down. For many people, the most difficult thing to wash is shoes, as many don’t really know how to do it. And the truth is that cleaning shoes is something very few people do, especially running shoes.

Like any piece of clothing, shoes should be washed regularly not just for the sake of keeping them clean but also for general hygiene, remember shoes take in a whole lot of sweating. If left unchecked, all this sweat can create the perfect environment to grow bacteria and fungi, and that can, in turn, cause athlete’s foot and other dermatological infections. Also, if you run at night and wear light reflecting shoes, such as those created by Lightbug Sports, you might want to keep them as clean as possible as dirt and dust can get in the way of the reflective surface and lose its intended purpose. To that end, here’s how to wash your sport shoes in six simple steps:

1. Fill in a sink or bowl with warm water: Not too hot nor too cold. Add a few drops of liquid soap. You can use dish soap or some kind of cleanser as long as it is not too strong.

2. Remove the shoelaces and the insoles: Wash each part separately to ensure maximum cleaning and avoid being too rough on each part of the shoe.

3. Use an old toothbrush to clean the shoe: Dip the shoes in soapy water and begin using the brush to clean them. Make sure to be gentle but still brush every part of the shoe. Dust and dirt can get in the way of the reflective surface and lose its shine. The sole and the tongue of the shoe might be the hardest parts to clean as they are the ones that accumulate the most dirt.

4. Rinse thoroughly: Using warm water, make sure to get rid of all the soap in the shoe before setting it apart to dry. Don’t be afraid to get them completely wet. Once they are soap-free, fill them with dry rags or paper towels to dry them on the inside. Avoid using newspapers because the ink may taint your shoes. Set them where direct sunlight can hit them and change the rags regularly to speed up the process. Keep in mind that for your shoes to be completely dry, it can take up to two days.

5. Wash the laces and insoles with clean soapy water. Use a brush to scrub the laces and insoles and make sure they’re completely clean. Avoid putting them in a washing machine since it can damage the plastic ends of your laces. When done, just set them under direct sunlight to achieve the fastest drying time.

6. Put the insoles back in and tie the laces. Once everything is completely dry just put your shoe back together the same way you took it apart, and you’re done! Now you have clean shoes that look as good as the day you bought them.

Keeping your running shoes clean not only makes you look good, it also can prevent certain foot-related infections and in the case of light reflecting shoes, they can shine as they’re supposed to. Staying healthy and safe is what Lightbug Sports is all about. They have the best sports gear for all your athletic needs, from shoes to shirts and even accessories. Plus, all of their products are made from light-reflecting materials designed to keep you safe and visible even in low light situations.

Reflective shoes are meant to be shiny!

Lightbug Sports

Phone: +1 (877) 586.7425

Email: info@lightbugsport.com

http://www.lightbugsport.com/

How to Keep Your Bike in Good Shape

Learn how to maintain your bike.

Riding a bike whether as a mean of transportation, as exercise, or simply just for fun is great. Bikes are a great way to stay in shape, get around, and be conscious of the environment by creating the least impact on it. One of the main benefits of using a bicycle is its low cost in maintenance. It stands to reason that a bike is much simpler and easier to give basic care than something like a car.

The curious thing about this is that most people take their bikes for granted and forget to give them the proper care they need. It’s a shame because it’s something that is quite easy to do. It doesn’t take much time or money, so why not learn how to do it properly? With that in mind, here are four basic tips on how to keep your bike in good shape:

1. Keep your bike dry: Humidity and water are your bicycle’s worst enemies. Water creates corrosion and oxidation, which is like cancer for bikes. So, remember to always keep your bike in dry spaces and protected from the elements. If it get wet when you’re using it, don’t forget to dry it thoroughly with a cloth after you get home.

2. Keep your bike clean: Use a wet cloth to clean your bike at least once a week. If you happen to go through an especially dusty or muddy area, remember to clean it right away! Dust and mud can get into the cogs and gears and cause them to lose mobility and may cause you to invest more money than you should in repairs. Avoid using high-pressure water because it can get in places hard to dry up after cleaning. Try using a garden hose instead to get rid of dirt.

3. Lubricate pedals and chain weekly: These parts tend to grind against each other, which can cause deterioration and severe damage to your bicycle over time. Bike shops sell special lubricants for bikes and they’re not too expensive. It takes 15 minutes top to do this. Avoid lubricating the breaks and the parts of the pedals where you set your feet.

4. Check air pressure in the tires: There’s nothing worse than having a flat tire on your bike. It makes riding it extremely hard and tedious. To prevent this, just check the air pressure of the tire at least once a week. If they need air, you can go to any service station. Remember that air is free! You can also get a pump, they’re not too expensive.

Keeping your bike in good shape is crucial when it is your main mean of transportation or tool for exercising. If you like to go biking at night, we recommend you to get your bicycle at Lightbug Sports, where all of their products are made with special light reflecting materials designed to keep you safe even in low light situations. Of course, light can’t bounce off these bikes if they’re covered in dirt and mud. So it might be in your best interest to keep it clean.

Giving maintenance to a bike is way cheaper than a car.

Lightbug Sports

Phone: +1 (877) 586.7425

Email: info@lightbugsport.com

http://www.lightbugsport.com/

The Best Cities for Runners in the USA

Which are the most runner-friendly cities in the USA?

Running, as a form of exercise, is a worldwide phenomenon that has taken the whole world. Many countries and cities around the world now have adapted their infrastructure to accommodate runners. Some of these cities come with a natural advantage due to geographic location, history, or simply due to their significance in global culture.

The United States is a country known for setting trends in many aspects of people’s lifestyle. It is a nation known for its diverse culture and thriving cities; many of which are ideal for anyone wanting to go out for a jog. So, with that in mind, here are the top five runner-friendly cities in the United States.

1.    Chicago, IL. The first in our list is the Windy City. Known for its pizza and history, Chicago is surprisingly friendly towards runners. It has a lot of parks and wide streets where people can enjoy a good run. It has over 18 miles of paved ways right next to the beautiful Lake Michigan. It offers cool breezes during the summer, and an amazing view in the colder months.

2.    New York, NY. The Big Apple. New York is the definition of a concrete jungle. The capital of the western world is another paradise for runners. It is estimated that over 50.000 New Yorkers run as a form or regular exercise. It has the iconic six-mile loop around Central Park and that’s only going around it. New York City is home to one of the most famous marathons in the country and it is no surprise to see runners training all year long.

3.    Boulder, CO. Most cities in Colorado offer an extra benefit to runners. While most other cities are relatively low over sea level, Boulder is particularly high. This means that the air in Boulder is a little thinner than in the rest of the country, and even a short and easy jog will develop your lung capacity faster than any other city. The altitude plus its mixed terrain make Boulder the idea place for training.

4.    San Francisco, CA. A city known for its steep hills may not be the first thing to come to your mind when you think of jogging. But San Francisco actually offers many flat spots where runners can have a go like the San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gates Bridge.

5.    Boston, MA. Home to the most prestigious marathon in the country. Even if you don’t plan on running this competition, Boston offers the most beautiful scenes for runners. You can choose from following the red bricked Freedom Trail downtown, running along the Charles River, through the Boston Common, or go up Chestnut Hill Reservoir to Beacon Street. There are plenty of options in this beautiful city.

All of these cities offer both day and night time options for runners. In most places, there’s plenty of light for people to go out at night, but we’d still recommend that you take the extra precaution of wearing light reflective clothes so oncoming traffic can see you from up to a hundred feet away.

That’s what all the products of Lightbug Sports are all about. They have the best sports gear for all your athletic needs, from shoes to shirts and even accessories. Plus, all of their products are made from light-reflecting materials designed to keep you safe and visible even in low light situations.

Find the best cities for runners.

Lightbug Sports

Phone: +1 (877) 586.7425

Email: info@lightbugsport.com

http://www.lightbugsport.com/

How to Prevent Night Accidents

Learn a few safety tips for nighttime.

Give this a thought: during nighttime, traffic on the roads decreases by about 60%, meaning there are fewer cars out there, yet most fatal car accidents occur after the sun goes down. The reason for this can be a mix of several factors and reasons. The main reason being the lack of sunlight. The sun is what provides us with the strongest source of natural light. There is just no man-made light capable of imitating the power of the sun.

People have invented plenty of ways to keep the roads safe for both pedestrians and cars at night. We have all sorts of artificial lights illuminating our streets, we have reflective signs and paint on the roads, and the headlights in our cars can now reach over 300 feet away. But the sudden switch from low light situations to higher is quite difficult to our eyes. Our pupils dilate in low light and contract when in bright space. This creates a time of adjustment. During the time of the switch, we’re either too sensitive to light or not able to perceive enough of it.

This change can happen at night when we look at our dim-lighted dashboard and then into the bright incoming traffic. This creates a window of opportunity for disaster to happen. It only takes a couple of seconds to crash a car and kill someone. All of this, and also the fact that most cities have zones that are better lit than others. The downtown area of a city will always be more illuminated than the suburbs. So, for both drivers and pedestrians, going out at night requires some precautions in order to avoid accidents. We’re going to name some tips for both starting with cars:

1. Keep your distance from other cars: Whenever you’re driving at night and you have a car in front of you, try to keep a good distance from it. You don’t know what could cause the car ahead of you to suddenly hit the breaks so you will be better off by keeping a buffer zone between the two vehicles just in case.
2. Keep your dashboard lights at just the right brightness: Too dim and you’ll have difficulty seeing it and will be easily flashed by oncoming traffic. Too bright and the contrast with the darkness outside will cause you to lose visibility.
3. Keep your windshield and windows clean: Dirty windshields create more glare from traffic headlights, decreasing your level of visibility. Plus, dirty glass is harder to see through.
4. Avoid distractions: It’s hard enough to drive in low light situations forcing your eyes to work at 110% without your brain being entirely there too. With lower vision, your reflex response time also lowers, so it is in your best interest that you keep all of your focus on the road ahead. Avoid loud music, heated conversations, or using your cell phone while driving at night.

Now let’s go over some safety tips for pedestrians. Whether they go out at night to workout or just take a walk, here’s some things they should consider doing.

1. Avoid dark places. Whenever you’re outside at night, you might want to avoid walking along dark or poorly lit roads as much as possible. That’s just putting yourself in unnecessary danger.
2. Wear some kind of reflective gear. If you’re going out at night and you’ll be walking close to a road, you might want to make yourself as visible as possible. Wearing reflective gear will make cars notice you from a good distance and will help prevent fatal accidents.
3. Stay alert and avoid distractions. Even if you’re wearing reflective clothes, you should still be alert at all times of what’s going on around you, especially when walking close to a road.
4. Cross the roads at the correct intersections. If you have to cross a road, do it properly and where you’re supposed to. Cars don’t expect to bump into a pedestrian in the middle of a highway.

Avoiding and preventing accidents at night is a work for both drivers and pedestrians. Staying healthy and safe is what Lightbug Sports is all about. They have the best sports gear for all your athletic needs, from shoes to shirts and even accessories. Plus, all of their products are made from light-reflecting materials designed to keep you safe and visible even in low light situations.

Take all the necessary precautions when going out at night.

Lightbug Sports

Phone: +1 (877) 586.7425

Email: info@lightbugsport.com

http://www.lightbugsport.com/

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What Are the Biggest Myths About Nutrition?

Don't believe myths about nutrition that are just not true!

Nutrition is a word you hear quite often these days. Everyone is now watching what they eat, counting calories and proteins. This has now gone over the qualification of a trend and has become something of a lifestyle and people really care about their health nowadays. We’re working out, we’re eating kale, and we’re following any kind of new method to keep ourselves in top shape.

The thing about all these crazy trends is that many of them are not real or as effective as they claim. We are constantly bombarded with all kinds of ideas. One day, whole-wheat bread is the best thing ever and the next it is basically poison. So many contradicting notions has led many of us to create and believe myths about nutrition that are simply absurd.

People that seem most concerned about what they eat are athletes and those who care about being fit and healthy. We all know that eating right is the best complement for regular exercise. But athletes and people who work out regularly are not exempt from falling for these myths. So here we are about to bust the top five myths or lies we think of as true about our eating habits:

1. Eating a lot of proteins will result in extra muscle tissue: While it is true that muscle tissue is made by breaking down proteins, there is a thing as too much. Muscles tissue gets worn out when we exercise regularly. If we take more protein than we’re able to burn, then that excess will become fat tissue and will make you gain weight instead of losing it.
2. Cholesterol-free food is healthier: Many people don’t realize that there is good cholesterol. While it is a good idea not to overindulge in eating foods with too much cholesterol, there are worse things we eat and we don’t even realize it. With good and regular exercise, we can burn out most of the cholesterol we eat. Trans and saturated fats are the real enemies here due to the fact that they’re a lot harder to burn out and the damage that they cause to our arteries and hearts.
3. Athletes are immune to osteoporosis: No one is immune to this condition. Many people believe that the exercise done by athletes combined with their diets will prevent them from developing osteoporosis. The constant stress to the bones can cause them to lose mass if the person is not getting the proper nutrients. There’s more to bone mass than just calcium. They also need vitamin D, K, and magnesium, which are not found in dairy products.
4. Natural and herbal equals healthy: Not everything that is natural or herbal is good for your health. Tobacco, opium, and cocaine are all natural herbs and they are known to be quite detrimental. The thing about herbal products is that they’re not usually regulated or standardized. So different brands or even different batches from the same brand can have different amounts of nutrients and ingredients. You need to watch out for that!
5. All I need to drink is water (Lots of it!): We’ve all heard the old tale of the eight glasses of water a day to stay hydrated. This is, in fact, false! The amount of water each person needs is different and depends on many factors. Athletes need a little more than just water after working out. Their levels of sodium and potassium tend to get really low after exercising, so a sport drink might be a better idea.
6. Eating at night will make you get fat: Calories are just that. They don’t have tiny watches to determine when they can or can’t make you fat.  People think they can eat a pound of chocolate cake at 8 in the morning and they won’t get any fatter, even if they do nothing during the day. Just being awake doesn’t burn calories! But neither does sleeping. The trick is being able to burn the calories we eat. You can eat calories at night if you know you’ll burn them with a good workout or running session.

If you’re going to run or workout at night, you should gear up with some reflective gear in order to make yourself as visible as possible for cars and incoming traffic.

We hope we were able to shed some light into these myths and clear a few misconceptions about nutrition and how people believe it works. Staying healthy and safe is what Lightbug Sports is all about. They have the best sports gear for all your athletic needs, from shoes to shirts and even accessories. Plus, all of their products are made from light-reflecting materials, designed to keep you safe and visible even in low light situations.

Get your facts from real nutritionists.

Lightbug Sports

Phone: +1 (877) 586.7425

Email: info@lightbugsport.com

http://www.lightbugsport.com/

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