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/

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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Best Power Songs for Your Running Sessions

Find out the best songs to get you through your workouts!

It’s no secret that a good song can help move things along. The right music can give you that extra strength, energy, and attitude to push through even the hardest of workouts. There is something about music that affects how we feel and it is not uncommon for people to put on some great tunes when they’re working out. So, put on your headphones and hit play because we’re counting down the best 10 songs to power through your jogging or workout sessions.

1.    This is What You Came For by Calvin Harris and Rihanna. The perfect beat for a good warm up. This song starts off nice and slow and little by little it picks up the pace giving you the best rhythm to start. By the end of the song, you’ll be fully pumped.

2.    Don’t Let Me Down by the Chainsmokers featuring Daya. It is ironic how a band called the Chainsmokers can get you all worked up and full of energy for your workout. The beat of this song is what you need to get from warm up to a full start.

3.    Let Me Love You by DJ Snake and Justin Bieber. This song takes it down a bit so you don’t overdo it. The best workouts are all about keeping a steady rhythm of highs and lows. It is crucial to find the right songs that will slow your pace just the right amount for you to catch your breath.

4.    The Greatest by Sia. “Don’t give up, don’t give up” is one of the lines from this song and it is perfect for all your workouts. Sia delivered this amazing track with a great beat designed to pump up anyone who listens to it. This song is the perfect choice for a good, hard workout.

5.    Work by Rihanna featuring Drake. The lyrics may not be too deep and it’s a little hard to understand what she’s saying but the beat is great for working out. It has a great rhythm that will make you take it a little slower after Sia but still want to work it.

6.    Side to Side by Ariana Grande featuring Nicki Minaj. Take it back up with this great song by Ariana Grande. Side to Side will help you pick the pace back up and picture the video based on a gym. Also, Nicki Minaj’s rhymes will give you an extra little push to really reach your peak.

7.    Closer by the Chainsmokers featuring Halsey. Take it back down with this great, catchy tune. Remember that working out is all about creating a rhythm of highs and lows of energy output. You don’t want to push too hard for too long and get exhausted, but you also don’t want to slow down so much that you’ll lose your mojo.

8.    Sorry by Justin Bieber. The oldest entry in this list is from 2015 and it is a great song to start your final push through your workout session. You’re about to finish so you need something to really help you reach your best.

9.    Me Too by Meghan Trainor. This song is all about being your best self. It’s about reaching your goals and feeling good about yourself. So what better choice for the spike of your workout session? Let the catchy lyrics and beat of Miss Trainor push you to accomplishing all your expectations.

10.  Can’t Stop the Feeling by Justin Timberlake. You’ve done it! You reached the end of the line and completed your workout, great job! Now you can enjoy this awesome song to loosen up and finish your workout. Remember that at the end of a session, it isn’t good to stop all of the sudden, you might want to keep moving to relax your muscles after all this work.

These are the best songs for a good workout. If you have any ideas of other songs, we’d love to hear about them so leave a comment down below and tell us what songs you prefer. Moreover, 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.

The proper music can inspire and push you through the hard moments.

Lightbug Sports

Phone: +1 (877) 586.7425

Email: info@lightbugsport.com

http://www.lightbugsport.com/

New Year, New Resolutions

Start off 2017 by turning a new leaf and engaging in a healthy lifestyle!

Say goodbye to 2016 and hello to 2017! The New Year just snuck up on us and many of us are using the New Year as a reason to start over and turn a new leaf on our lives. One of the most common things to do during the New Year’s celebration is makeup resolutions. These are usually promises of things we want to do with our lives during the year. Some people promise to travel, some promise to focus more on some aspect of their lives, some choose to change their lifestyle and work more towards their health.

The most common New Year’s resolution is to lose weight, start exercising, and lead a healthier life. While it is the most common one, it is also the one that most people quit by even before January is over. The reason for this is that most people don’t plan out how they’re going to achieve their goals. If one of your goals for 2017 is to lose weight, then here are a few tips on how to do just that with some exercise and some diet. Even if you’re not used to working out on a daily basis or just don’t like the idea of dieting, give them a look. These are basic tips for anyone who’s trying something new in life and wish to turn to a healthier lifestyle.

·         If you want to start exercising, do something you really enjoy. Be it running, swimming, or hitting the gym, the key to exercising is liking it. There are tons of choices for you. If you find the one you like, you’ll look forward to it and it will create a sense of expectation for you. As long as you enjoy what you’re doing it will be fun for you and it won’t feel like a dread or drag. Remember that you’re doing this for you. Part of a healthy life is doing what you enjoy.

·         When setting your goals aim for something doable. Don’t expect to be able to just drop weight like a rock and become a gazelle overnight. That doesn’t happen! Even in movies montages of people getting in shape you see how long it takes. This is a process that will take a few weeks so be patient. Losing a couple pounds a week is a good way to start. Keep in mind that depending on your level of physical shape it will take more or less time than someone else. Each body is unique and they change at a certain pace. You’ll begin to see results in due time.

·         If you’re starting on a physical activity such as jogging for the first time in your life, you’ll feel something called beginner’s hump. It is the period of time where your body and mind are getting used to all this new activities and it will take time for you to get over the hill and start feeling like you’re rolling down. The best option for this is will power and finding encouragement on the people around you. Share your progress on Social Media, let your friends and family know that you’re trying this new thing and they’ll be happy to cheer you on.

·         Find a coach to help you. It doesn’t have to be a paid for coach, maybe you have a friend that is very into fitness, exercising and everything related to a healthy lifestyle. Ask them for help. Your friends are supposed to be there for you and help you out. Ask for their advice and support on exercising and proper dieting. That way you also have a healthy buddy to help you.

·         Watch what you eat. You probably spent the entire holidays eating and drinking whatever you came across. Now it’s the time to change that. Exercising will only get you so far. A good diet is the perfect companion for physical activities. Avoid junk food, alcohol, and sodas. We’re not saying you should quit on all of that, just be mindful of what you put in your mouth.

Making up New Year’s resolutions and sticking to them is all about planning out. It will take time and effort to change your lifestyle and step out of your comfort zone. It’s a hard process but it surely has its rewards.

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.

Let 2017 be your year by taking care of yourself!

Lightbug Sports

Phone: +1 (877) 586.7425

Email: info@lightbugsport.com

http://www.lightbugsport.com/