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    A Look Inside Under Armour’s Journey To Compete Collection

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    “It always seems impossible until it’s done,” the age-old adage rings true for athletes around the world. But what they rarely talk about is the epic journey that leads them from the realm of the impossible to the pinnacle of achievement. It’s a journey etched with relentless determination, endless training hours and an unwavering commitment – a journey marked by blood, sweat and tears, shaping the careers of athletes into greatness.

    Every athlete boasts a unique story, a personal measure of success and a distinct blend of grit. Yet, amidst these diverse tales, there is a common thread that binds them all together – the extraordinary journey to compete. It is within this journey that they strive to conquer, to exceed and to emerge as the epitome of athletic brilliance.

    The epitome of triumph

    Enter Under Armour Marathon Runner, Sharon Lokedi, the epitome of triumph, whose soaring victory in the 2022 New York Marathon broke records with an awe-inspiring time of 2:23:23. In a nail-biting finish, she outpaced Lonah Chemtai Salpeter of Israel (2:23:30) and reigning world champion Gotytom Gebreslase of Ethiopia by mere seconds. It’s worth noting that Lokedi and her partner, Under Armour, entered the race as underdogs, defying the odds to secure their place in the prestigious realm of marathon champions. On that unforgettable day, Lokedi not only etched her name in history but defined her very own journey!

    Beyond raw athleticism and tangible success, an athlete’s ‘Journey To Compete’ is an emotional voyage – a profound connection between heart and soul. It embodies countless hours of training, endless sacrifices and an unwavering determination to achieve greatness. Each step taken by an Under Armour athlete, each obstacle faced head-on and every victory celebrated carries a wave of emotion.

    Achieve the impossible

    Journey To Compete stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Athletes navigate through euphoric highs and heart-wrenching lows, experiencing elation, frustration, hope, happiness, excitement and perseverance. It’s an emotional athletic rollercoaster, fuelling the passion and dedication needed to surmount obstacles and attain the pinnacle of accomplishment – all while clad in the cutting-edge sportswear from the Journey to Compete collection. From professional swimmers to rugby players and footballers, the underlying purpose and drive of each athlete remain the same – to be the best, to perform at their highest level, to be surrounded by greatness and to achieve the impossible.

    Contrary to the media’s portrayal of overnight success stories, the journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step and Under Armour takes pride in honouring each step – from the smallest victories to the grandest accolades.

    Welcome to the Journey to Compete

    Welcome to the captivating new collection, Journey to Compete, brought to you by Under Armour, a celebration and magnification of the essence of team sports and their relentless pursuit of triumph. Bursting with unity, this collection embodies the spirit of teamwork, unwavering perseverance and an undeniable hunger for victory. Each thread is carefully crafted, every fabric meticulously chosen – a tribute to the efforts that carve their paths to success.

    The essence of the new collection

    This collection captures the heart and soul of every athlete, paying homage to those who have stood at their starting blocks waiting to break their current seasonal record; walked onto the pitch ready to sing their national anthem, or scored that winning goal on a worldwide stage. It is the athletes who breathe life into this collection, making it shine with brilliance.

    The right support

    Compiled of vibrant colours that ignite the spirit when worn, this is a collection where ‘compression doesn’t compromise’. With features such as hook and loop adjustability, the HeatGear® Armour High Sports Bra is designed with the ability to adjust on the body to customise support, ensuring you will be feeling comfortable and supported no matter the time, distance or training method. Boasting spacer pad front panels for a breathable compression fit and a grippy waistband that provides athletes with a non-slip fit, this collection is made with elite athletes in mind allowing them to feel secure and locked in when training and performing at their best.

    Shop The ‘Journey To Compete’ Look

    HeatGear® Armour High Printed Sports Bra

    TriBase™ Reign 5 Training Shoes

    Knockout Tank

    UA Challenger Pro Printed Shorts

    UA HeatGear® Long Shorts

    Robyn Moodaly

    As a proud face of the collection, Under Armour Athlete and Professional Footballer, Robyn Moodaly knows best when it comes to understanding and identifying the needs of sportswomen and recognizing the key elements of what to look for in an apparel collection.

    “Personally, I look for specific qualities and features that enhance both my performance and comfort – on and off the field. In the Journey to Compete collection, I find that these requirements are fulfilled exceptionally well. Under Armour is known for its innovative apparel and this collection is no exception. When it comes to my needs, functionality and performance-enhancing features are important to me, especially when it comes to training. Flexibility and freedom of movement are things I like in my apparel as it allows me to perform at my best without any restrictions, all of which are met with this collection. Lastly, I value the collection’s attention to detail in design and aesthetics. Looking good and feeling confident in my sports gear really does have a positive impact on my mindset and overall performance,” she explains.

    As the Banyana Banyana and JBW Football Club star takes to the field it’s no surprise she puts her trust in the Journey To Compete collection as it meets all the requirements of being a highly innovative and ground-breaking apparel wear – it’s a future game-changer for the whole athletic apparel industry.

    As we take a bird’s eye view of the overall journey of one’s success story, it’s clear to see and understand how it transcends the final destination; it’s a celebration of all the moments in between that have paved the way to who and where these athletes are today.

    Tried and tested

    WH Features Editor Michelle October took the Journey To Compete collection for a spin – here’s how it went.

    The HeatGear® Armour High Sports Bra

    The gear has been thoughtfully created and perhaps none more so than the HeatGear® Armour High Sports Bra, with adjustable straps so you can really get the best fit for you. It also has a keyhole detail at the back that makes it easier to take off – something that’s notoriously difficult to do post-workout. After my workout, I found the bra surprisingly dry, which makes its moisture-wicking properties truly stand out. Plus, nothing moved while I was jumping around.

    The UA Challenger Pro Printed Shorts

    The bottoms came with a ribbed section that holds tight to your waist and won’t fall down during burpees and inchworms. I was really impressed by how well it held its own and how smooth it felt to workout in. Plus, the colours are just to die for, while still being really flattering to my shape.

    The UA Knockout Tank

    The UA Knockout tank is just that – a knockout when it comes to training. The material lies comfortably and is never in the way, thanks to the tailored fit. It also holds sweat really well, while the stylish black trim detail makes for a statement fit that feels good to wear. 

    Journey To Compete. Game-Changing Women’s Gear. Never Give Up. Never Hold Back. Get the gear you need to do whatever it takes for your team.

    Available in-store and online now. www.underarmour.co.za More

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      Best Sports Bras of 2023

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      Whether yours are more akin to watermelon or naartjies, breasts need proper support during any kind of exercise. But the type of bra you need varies according to your breast size and exercise intensity. We’ve rounded up some of our favourite offerings on the market right now.

      Asics Women’s Accelerate Bra Running

      Constructed with mesh panelling to improve airflow and breathability. This top also features straps in the back that make it easy to adjust the fit.

      2XU Women’s Light Speed High Impact Bra

      Moulded cups, internal underwire and stabilisers for support. Available in 15(!) sizes.

      adidas By Stella McCartney Medium Support Sports Bra

      Made for yoga yet ideal for all medium-intensity workouts, the sports-luxe, pull-over silhouette is easy to slip on before class, while the removable pads allow you to adjust the coverage to match your mood. 

      Salomon Cross Run Bra

      Made predominantly from recycled materials, it features hidden seams and is designed to keep you cool.

      Nike Yoga Alate Curve

      This high-neck, full-coverage bra. Made to expand and contract with your inhales and exhales during practice. The flexible, sweat-wicking fabric moves with you while the no-pinch bottom band stays in place. This product is made from at least 50% recycled polyester fibres.

      Under Armour Rush High Support Sports Bra

      Moulded cups and a broad underband provide great support, while mineral-infused fabric absorbs reflects energy, giving you more endurance. Mesh panels provide ventilation. Both the straps and the underband are adjustable for customising your fit and – yes please! – the bra comes apart when unclasped for easy removal.

      Puma Fit Mid Impact Bra

      Featuring at least 20% recycled materials, its EVERSCULPT shape-enhancing tech provides contouring and dryCELL tech wicks away sweat.

      Under Armour Project Rock Crossback Sports Bra

      It’s the branding for us – all Project Rock gear was personally signed off by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Badass!

      Body Kind Everyday Sports Crop

      This Everyday Sports Crop Top-Style Sports Bra. Has a thick, comfortable chest band, removable breast padding cups, back support strap and side straps. Plus it’s stretchy and breathable.

      READ MORE: How To ‘Spring Clean’ Your Fitness Gear For Better Workouts

      adidas Tailored Impact Luxe Training High-Support Bra (Plus Size)

      Sleek fabric and underwire provide support, while HEAT. RDY keeps you dry. Available in adidas’s plus-size range.

      Skelcore Women’s Recycled One-Shoulder Crop Top

      Made using 30% recycled plastic bottles, it’s quick-drying, breathable and, need we mention, gorgeous!

      Women’s TS Black Ribbed Seamless Bralette

      This bralette is strictly for stretching. The high-rise waist ups your coverage so you can bend and stretch with ease.

      adidas Tailored Impact Training High-Support Bra

      Made using at least 70% recycled content, it’s slick, breathable and cool to the touch.

      Puma Run High Impact Ultraform Bra

      ULTRAFORM compressive fabric provides support and DRYCELL tech wicks away moisture. Also features reflective details.

      adidas Yoga Studio Luxe Light-Support Bra

      Soft, comfortable and designed to move with your body. Thin straps and cut-outs promote airflow.

      Under Armour Smartform Evolution Mid

      One of the softest bits of gear you’ll ever wear, it feels luxurious against the skin.

      adidas Medium-Support Running Pocket Bra

      It has pockets! Stash keys and cards for hands-free running. It’s also lightweight, breathable, moisture-wicking and can stash a jacket. Genius.

       Under Armour Heatgear Armour Mid Padless Bra

      Unpadded with a double lining for coverage, it has a compression, second-skin fit that keeps it in place.

      adidas Coreflow Medium Support Bra

      The fabric is not what you’d expect from a sports bra – the inside is lined, but the outside is slightly fuzzy to the touch, almost like a sweater. It feels so comfy on, though: Soft against the skin, moves with your body and there are no clasps to dig in. And that elegant, strappy back is absolutely gorgeous!

      Wanita Nicol

      Wanita Nicol is a freelance writer and storyteller. She’s also a certified personal trainer and has been a fitness editor for more than 10 years. When she’s not trying a new workout or testing new fitness gear, she’s living her best nerd life on Instagram @TheFitNerdSA. More

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      Finally! Sports Bras That Don’t Feel Like Freaking Straitjackets

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      Recently, it’s been great to see active-wear brands starting to release more plus-size sports bras. But the options haven’t always been a bra buffet.
      “One of my biggest frustrations with sports bras, especially for plus-size bodies, is that there’s a lot of structure to them,” says yoga teacher, author, influencer and body positivity advocate Jessamyn Stanley. “It’s always assumed that we have very large breasts and so there’ll be a lot of boning and structure… but for a yoga practitioner, it’s very nice to wear something that is soft and malleable and really just moves with your body.”
      Your Sports Bra Should Match Your Sport
      She’s on to something – and it’s not limited to the world of plus-size sports bras. Prof Joanna Wakefield-Scurr, a professor of Biomechanics and the biomechanics field leader and head of the Research Group in Breast Health at the University of Portsmouth, says there’s a reason why all sports bras aren’t created high impact. “In studio activities, for example, you might want more flexibility because of the activities that you’re performing. And lying on your back, you might not want a big hook-and-eye fastener – it might be uncomfortable. I really believe that there are different solutions for different activities and that hasn’t necessarily been articulated well in the sports bra market previously.”
      Sports Bras For Every Occasion
      Prof Wakefield-Scurr and her team worked with adidas on their new Bra Collection, which features a whopping 43 different styles that are globally available in a range of sizes (including plus-size sports bras) across four different categories: Run, Train, Studio and Everyday. It includes bras for breasts of all sizes – and even ones that can be adjusted to fit breasts of different sizes. “What I would encourage women to look for – and there’re lots of examples of this in the adidas range – is bras with adjustability,” she says. “Personally, I would always select a bra that has adjustment in it – in the shoulder straps and in the underband.” 
      Tried & Tested
      As an adidas ambassador, Jessamyn got to meet with the design team working on their latest bra collection. “It was really cool to share all my favourite pieces and also pieces that I do not like and explain why,” she says. She was also one of the first women to get her hands on the new range. Her verdict? “They heard me,” she says. “It’s nice to have a bra that’s not so structured and the range has options for everybody – not just for any one, particular activity and not just for any one, particular body type. It’s really inclusive for all.” For Jessamyn, having access to a range of plus-size sports bras is empowering. “We’re conquering the world,” she says. “We’re getting to a place where health and wellness are not sequestered to just one type of person; where it’s something that all human beings can and should prioritise in their lives and it feels really cool to be a part of that evolution.”
      Shop the adidas sports bra range online or book a free bra fitting at your nearest adidas concept store.
      For more information, follow the @adidasZA #SupportIsEverything conversation on Instagram.
       

      READ MORE ON: adidas Plus-size sports bras Sports bras More