Women's fitness fashion is exploding with competitive players.
And it's pure nirvana for me to witness! Brands that typically weren't recognized as being fashion forward enough for style-minded women are finally getting in the game. One that I must point out is Under Armour. They've been under the radar for women for some time (unless you played a sport in high school or college and wore their team gear), but they're changing that. They're making edgier apparel that doesn't flash you back to the locker room.
I recently attended a cool Under Armour event hosted by Exhale Spa and The Glam Network at NYC's downtown Gansevoort Hotel. I was invited to preview and test out Under Armour's newest collection (which I was already privy to) and to find out more about their recently launched What's Beautiful Campaign (#WhatsBeautiful).
The best part was that I got to test out everything in a Core Fusion Bootcamp class. I must admit, I love Core Fusion DVDs but I'm not a big fan of their in-studio barre class...I just think other studios do barre better.
However, the Core Fusion Bootcamp class excluded barre work and was amazingly hard...just the way I like it. Go try it out! You will be sore but it's a total body workout that really gives you your money's worth and then some. Here's the Core Fusion Bootcamp DVD if you're nowhere near an Exhale.
I had fun playing "dress-up & workout". Who wouldn't?
But honesty, sometimes I go to events like these, and I only like 1 or 2 things. More often than not, I like nothing. In this case, I was already an Under Armour fan because I've been watching their evolution over the past 2 years and have been incredibly impressed. I showed up wearing my new StudioLux jacket. I seriously haven't taken it off since my boyfriend gave it to me as a gift. Fitness pro Natalie Uhling was modeling it on Gilt (a high-end flash sale website) and apparently my boyfriend decided I had to have it. Don't you love with men GET IT RIGHT? I owe Natalie a big THANK YOU. Who knew such a pretty girl could make your boyfriend think of you?! Natalie happens to be one of the faces of Under Armour, and her personal website actually launched today. Go Nat!
All her NYC fitness classes are listed HERE. But you might see her first in one of Under Armour's very moving campaign pieces like this one:
Kinda emotional, huh? Yeaaaaah. I might've cried a lil.
So, getting back to the event (I tend to ramble often)...
I showed up to Under Armour's What's Beautiful event already outfitted in my fave Under Armour gear. See below: StudioLux Noir Jacket and Micro-G Strut Running Shoes.
But I totally fell in love with some of the new items they gave me to work out in. Under Armour for women is NOT what it used to be IN A REALLY GOOD WAY. Here's what I recommend to savvy shoppers like you...
Under Armour's Girlie Collection:
- UA Charm Seamless Tank - I usually hate seamless tanks because they're bulge-revealing but this one isn't so much and can be easily layered over if that's an issue. I like it because it pushes my tiny boobs up when paired with a padded sports bra. It's like Whoa! Didn't know I had those! Go for the color JADE...it's a beautiful shade for Fall and will set you apart from all the pink princesses at the gym (sadly I'm one of them).
- UA Seamless Essential Sports Bra - I have so many padded/push-up bras and sometimes I actually do like a more toned down chest-look, especially for yoga and pilates. Bras like this are super comfy and don't pinch at your armpits. This one also looks great layered over another sports bra if you need the extra support or just like that style.
- UA Spine RPM Running Shoe - I'm already a fan of the 1st installment of this shoe which I'm using to marathon train. I think that says it all.
- Grippy II No Show Socks - If you like to barre or you're a germa-phobe like me (I really don't want to have to tell you my gym-allergy stories because they'll gross you out) then these socks are a must. I like them better than Exhale and Physique57 grippy socks because they're thinner and moisture-wicking.
And just in case you're wondering why this new collection has a backbone they call "spine", check out the back of my StudioLux Jacket:
You might want to get your hands on it before it sells out --> StudioLux Jacket Amazingness. And my Strut running shoes (above) are actually ON SALE at Under Armour's Outlet HERE. Twinsies?
Find out for yourself "what's Beautiful" by joining the What's Beautiful movement.
Share your goals. Connect with other real, empowered women. And who knows, maybe you'll WIN!
Don't forget to leave me a comment!
About whatever...I just like hearing your cyber voice :)
More details on the What's Beautiful follows here: Under Armour Women set out to redefine the female athlete by creating What's Beautiful, a program that encourages women to share their fitness journeys and receive motivation, free gear, and support from Under Armour along the way. The Under Armour What's Beautiful community is growing by the minute and the women in the challenge are seriously bringing it. Check them out! Set your own goal. Crush it. And the 10 women with the most epic journeys will win a trip to Florida to the Under Armour Women's Camp Sweat where you will train with the best.
Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Under Armour via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Under Armour.