Sophie and I don’t shy away from a gruelling workout.
Whether it’s a run after work, a barre class to raise the heart rate or a 50-minute spar in a boxing class, we’re constantly finding new ways to challenge ourselves for the sake of fitness.
But what you wear during those bursts of activity are just as important as the fitness itself.
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We’re looking for moisture-wicking fabrics, pockets on tights so we don’t have to hold our phones, a mix of bright colours and muted neutrals.
So when we were asked to put some of Under Armour’s new arrivals to the test, we jumped at the chance.
The team at UA provided a range of crop tops, singlets, tights, shorts, skirts (with shorts beneath them) and even sneakers to push us to our limits – and the outcome was better than we expected.
MATILDA’S TOP PICKS FROM UNDER ARMOUR
My weekly routine has me doing two classes a week at Xtend Barre – whether that be reformer Pilates, mat Pilates or barre – a number of walks and the occasional run. The running in particular is a new addition.
I love a bit of colour in my everyday life so I was impressed by the pastel and uber bright collections of Under Armour.
On a recent weekend away I tried to complete a 5km run with my partner on the sandy shores of Byron Bay’s Main Beach wearing my SmartForm Flex Woven Shorts in Misty Purple and the SmartForm Evolution Mid Sports Bra in Black.
Being spring meant the weather wasn’t entirely on our side, so not only did it have to withstand a light drizzle and high wind but it also had to double as a swimsuit when I reached the other side and took a dip.
The super light but contoured material performed effortlessly and dried so quickly it wasn’t uncomfortable to run back half-wet along the sand.
I tried the same outfit on again, this time paired with Under Armour’s Velociti 3 Running Shoes upon my return to Pilates. Now this footwear is truly like stepping onto and inside of a cloud.
I was impressed by the immediate comfort and the funky grey, white and purple colourway, which was made to match the shorts.
I’m usually a size 9 and the shoes fit me perfectly.
But a friend of mine of the same size tried them on and felt they were a little bit small around the toe, so worth opting for your usual size, if not larger, depending on how they feel.
To barre class, I chose the Meridian Full-Length Leggings, which have a side pocket and uber wicking fabric so, even as I began to sweat, I didn’t feel “damp” or like I immediately needed to change after class.
I have to say though my favourite piece was the SportSkort Pleated which looks like a tennis skirt but conserves your modesty with a pair of shorts underneath.
These are super comfortable, bright and cute and I can’t wait to wear them to a netball game I plan on participating in soon.
Having played netball as a teenager it remains me of the traditional uniforms before the switch up to bodysuits.
For someone who hadn’t tried Under Armour before, I’d say this experience has left a very good first impression.
SOPHIE’S TOP PICKS FROM UNDER ARMOUR
When it comes to my fitness approach, I’m always after activewear that’s going to walk the walk and be high performance as well as look good.
On any given week, I’ll typically run three to four times, squish in two or three reformer Pilates classes and walk as much as possible – while wrangling my toddler daughter to and from the park.
What I look for in my workout gear is somewhere to store my phone and keys, breathable fabrics and stylish finishes.
With this in mind, I opted for the Meridian Bike Shorts in Green, paired with Rush Energy Tank in the same colour over the top of the SmartForm Evolution Mid Sports Bra for a recent 10km run home from the office.
The bike shorts, in particular, were a standout.
They didn’t ride up, they have the perfect phone pocket and they look good as well as feeling totally comfortable.
Since that first run, they have swiftly become my favourite pair of shorts for running, and I’ve invested in the pink pair too for when the green ones are in the wash.
Next up, I wanted to put the Phantom 3 Running Shoes through their paces with an interval speed session to see how they compared with my trusted Nike trainers.
Confession: I loved them.
With the perfect amount of bounce and cushioning, they felt more like a stability shoe than a speed option – but they still delivered when I tried to run fast.
Since then, I’ve worn the Phantom 3s across a host of activities, and I haven’t been let down yet.
The unusual bar cushion at the back of the shoe does take a little getting used to, but once you know it’s there, you’ll feel the extra bounce it gives you – propelling you forward.
Finally, I wore the Infinity High Sports Bra in Pink with the Meridian Full Length Leggings to a reformer Pilates class and was surprised, once again, at the comfort and style of UA’s activewear.
The bra, in particular, got a couple of compliments under the fluorescent lighting at Pilates.
Neither Matilda nor I had tried Under Armour gear before this trial period, but we’ll both certainly be browsing their website more often now whenever we need an activewear update.
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