Solution for freeing hands when running (mobile phone)

yirara
yirara Posts: 10,018 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
At the moment I'm holding my mobile phone in my hands when running. But night time temperatures (I run in the dark) are climbing above 30 degrees C (some 107F I think) now and I do need to bring something to drink. I've looked around but could not find any half-decent mobile phone arm holder in shops (I'm not in a western country). My sports trousers don't have pockets either. So I guess it's building something myself. My phone sits in some kind of plastic-leathery cover and it's a lot of fuss to take it out.

I don't want the phone to get sweat-soaked and I want to have it nearby so I can hear running instructions for C25K as it's rather noisy outside. The light up screen is also a good warning for car drivers. And I want to be able to look at the screen every now and then as I have a tendency to run too fast. Plus I want to be able to access the screen to at least save my run without having to fumble to get the phone out of the holder. So I guess it should go somewhere on my lower arm? Any ideas for that?

Replies

  • cblue315
    cblue315 Posts: 3,836 Member
    I use this:
    http://www.amazon.com/Daswise-Waterproof-Exercise-Runners-Holder/dp/B00HKT5G2G/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1428730112&sr=8-3&keywords=cell+phone+holder+for+running
  • blankiefinder
    blankiefinder Posts: 3,599 Member
    I use something called a Running Buddy, it attaches with magnets over the waist of my pants / shorts, front or back. running_buddy_diagram.jpg?v=1427996503

    It holds my phone, headphones when not in use, bank card, driver's licence, & key. There isn't much extra room after you put your phone in, but just enough. They come in different sizes for different phones.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,061 Member
    There are belts (neoprene) you can buy. I have friends that use this one.

    http://www.amazon.com/Vertical-Microphone-Transmitter-Carrier-Belt/dp/B001S3283K

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
    9285851.png
  • yirara
    yirara Posts: 10,018 Member
    Like I said I cannot buy any of these products as either companies don't ship here, or ask something like 100 USD for shipping. Plus I want to be able to look on my phone and operate it when running. Anything on the hip isn't suitable for that. I guess I need to build something somehow that I can wear on my lower arm.
  • blankiefinder
    blankiefinder Posts: 3,599 Member
    yirara wrote: »
    Like I said I cannot buy any of these products as either companies don't ship here, or ask something like 100 USD for shipping. Plus I want to be able to look on my phone and operate it when running. Anything on the hip isn't suitable for that. I guess I need to build something somehow that I can wear on my lower arm.

    Sorry, without knowing what country you're in, there's no way for us to know what you can get and what you can't.
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    Buy jogging pants with a pocket then
  • Smallc10
    Smallc10 Posts: 632 Member
    https://youtube.com/watch?v=MuzrVM56kcE

    Forearm Smart phone holder DIY - I'm not sure what you have access to, or if this would be at all comfortable but might give you a 'jumping off' point
  • yirara
    yirara Posts: 10,018 Member
    Thanks a lot Smallc10! Seems like a brilliant idea! I'm sure I can whack something like that together.
    I just tried the old sock approach, but it just doesn't stay on my lower arm unfortunately and it's difficult to get a window that is big enough to read the screen but small enough for the phone to not fall out.
  • myfelinepal
    myfelinepal Posts: 13,000 Member
    edited April 2015
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PE4PTvznaNA
  • ZebsterBC
    ZebsterBC Posts: 198 Member
    This may not help you if you have shipping issues, but this may be of use to others looking for something similar. This is the brand I've used for the last few years. It's designed for the upper arm, but I wear it on my forearm and I can keep the case on my phone. It also can carry cards, a key or two and has a holder for your headphones. http://www.armpocket.com/
  • _nikkiwolf_
    _nikkiwolf_ Posts: 1,380 Member
    If ordering is a problem and you are not opposed to a little sewing, you could also make something yourself, for example
    a belt http://www.mesewcrazy.com/2013/08/running-belt-diy.html
    or a phone holder for the arm http://www.fehrtrade.com/gallery/614/running-arm-band-pocket-with-tutorial
  • stephen_jasinski
    stephen_jasinski Posts: 1 Member
    I've used this method for running with a smaller smartphone as I didn't feeling like purchasing an armband.
    Take a thick winter sock with a strong elastic, cut the toe off, slide the sock up the arm of your choosing (cut end up), fold the bottom end up towards the top of the sock, Finally put the phone in the pocket you have just created! You can sew or safety pin it to make the pocket smaller as well.
  • yirara
    yirara Posts: 10,018 Member
    Thanks again all. I did try the sock thingie. But as I want to look at the display (the traffic is too noisy to hear announcements, and I still tend to run faster than I should. Btw, I don't run with earphones as it's too dangerous) I cut a hole in the sock and tried to glue some plastic behind it. But no, the whole thing turned out to be too unstable. I like the idea with the arm guard, and hunting is big here. Maybe that is the best way after all.
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