Where I live there are a lot of people who run. We’re incredibly blessed in that we live in a picturesque market town on the edge of the South Downs with plenty of safe running trails to suit all abilities. There are the lycra clad mums who crack straight on with a run immediately after school drop off, the friendly and supportive running groups, the runners with canine companions, lone runners who are in the zone and need just their music to set a pace and there are even the people who have running forced upon them as they dash to catch their train to London.
But, one thing I’ve noticed is that most of these runners don’t have anything on them other than perhaps a drinks bottle and an iPod, which begs the question:
Where on earth are they storing their keys and phone?
Having spoken to a few of my running friends it seems there are a couple of options:
- If you’re a woman…down your bra – mega uncomfortable, looks ridiculous!
- A rucksack – bulky, restricting and HEAVY!
- A bumbag – moves around and, well it’s not the 80s!
- Don’t take anything – relies on someone else being at home to let you in or leaving your house unlocked!
As you can see, not one of the options above is particularly appealing, which is why when I heard about the Running Buddy pouch, I just knew I had to share it with you all.
What is a Running Buddy?
So, let’s firstly clear something up, a Running Buddy is not a friend who runs alongside you purely for the purpose of holding and keeping your valuables safe whilst you run. That might work in Hollywood, but it’s not going to cut it in the UK!
A Running Buddy is in fact a no belt, no band and no bounce pouch that goes over the waistband and is held in place by magnets, leaving you to run completely hands free and unrestricted. Designed by Julie Bradfield, a runner and triathlete, the benefits of wearing a Running Buddy when running, speak for themselves:
- Lightweight.
- Doesn’t bounce.
- Comfortable.
- Adjustable – ‘one size fits all’.
- Spacious – will hold a phone, keys, money, running gels and a whole lot more.
- Water and sweat resistant.
- Allows hands free running.
- Doesn’t chafe.
- Looks stylish.
What a fantastic invention, right? And, it’s not just for runners; these stylish pouches are great for just about any activity you can think of.
If I haven’t managed to convince you of the greatness of this product yet, then let me pass you over to the voice of an expert!
5 minutes with a Buddy
Grab a cuppa, put your feet up and have a read of our interview with Suzi Tagg, owner and sole distributor of Running Buddy products in the UK and Ireland:
What is Bluegizmo?
“Bluegizmo is a company that sells leisure accessories.”
Who decided on the name Bluegizmo and why?
“My best friend and I were trying to come up with an original name with an available URL that meant nothing. This is what we came up with!”
When was the company set up?
“November 2014.”
What is your background?
“I qualified as a PE and Maths Secondary School teacher, but have been in Sales Management for more years than I can bear to think of. I have sold a variety of products in the past, including health foods, pharmaceutical products, beauty products and children’s nursery equipment.”
What fitness do you do?
“I am currently an injured runner, but I am doing lots of cycling! I also walk my dogs twice a day!”
What products do Bluegizmo sell?
- The Buddy Pouch – A pouch held in place with magnets, which means you don’t need a belt and it doesn’t bounce when doing activities.
- Earbuds – A single ear piece headphone set.
- Buddy Blockers – A product that protects your credit cards from Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID).
What’s so good about the Running Buddy?
“You don’t need a belt! The Running Buddy is held in place by magnets and does not bounce. It can hold phones, keys, cards, tissues and gels for running or poo bags and treats for dog training and showing. There are a variety of different sizes available to suit different phones and requirements.”
Is the Running Buddy primarily for runners?
“No. The Buddy Pouch was initially designed for runners, but is great for all activities – cycling, horse riding, walking, dog training and showing. They are also great for holding inhalers, items when you are at work and have no pockets, as well as keeping money, passports and cards safe when travelling, so that they are close to you.”
Tell us all about the Bronze you recently won in the Women’s Running Awards 2015.
“This was very exciting being such a new brand within the leisure market place. Some samples were sent in for people to test and we were thrilled to win the bronze Women’s Running accessory award. Women’s Running Magazine also made a fantastic review video.”
What feedback have you had?
“Excellent feedback – people love the Buddy Pouch, as it doesn’t move when doing activities. They love the flexibility and how many different uses it has. We receive great reviews every day.”
What are your plans for the future?
“To continue driving the awareness of the Buddy Pouch brand within the key leisure sectors, to introduce improvements on the product as they come through and to look at new innovations.”
Where can I buy one?
“Either from www.bluegizmo.co.uk or on Amazon.”
For more information about Running Buddy products visit the Blue Gizmo website or connect with them on The Buddy Pouch UK Facebook page or @thebuddypouch on Twitter.
