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Performance Apparel made from Trash

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010 at 7:36 pm

Read Why We Love This Running T

It’s fair to say that runners are generally an environmentally conscious group of people. I, for one, strive to make a difference and am always on the lookout for ways that I can change my existing habits to be able to not leave a footprint and live a greener lifestyle.

Then I came across a company by the name of “Atayne”, who make performance apparel from trash.

Yup, you’ve read it correctly – trash! They take what we think of as trash – plastic bottles, old clothing, old shoes, race numbers etc. and turn it out into high performance outdoor and athletic gear.

What Are The Performance Shirts Made From?

I was able to wear test Atayne’s Grind Performance T during some of my recent runs. First and foremost, it is made from 100% recycled water bottles. Between eight to fourteen 20 oz. PET bottles goes into each shirt, depending on it’s size.

This equates to 100% recycled polyester, which has great moisture wicking qualities and dried super fast.

What We Really Liked

Who would have thought that wearing water bottles could be so comfortable and that’s one of the first things I noticed was the comfort. The fabric feels soft and has a good deal of stretch which allows it to move nicely when you move. To add to the comfort, the tee has been designed with flat seams so there are no friction points that could cause chaffing.

I really put Atayne’s Grind performance t to the test in the moisture wicking category. I was wearing it during my runs on my recent trip to Mexico. Temperatures were 85+ F and I was SWEATING. I never once felt wet and sticky and thought that this performance running top did a great job of wicking sweat (moisture).

What They Say

Atayne claims the recycled material has a temperature regulating feature, so I made a point of taking note of this. Usually in hot weather I only wear singlets as I find that I overheat very easily, however this definitely wasn’t the case with the Atayne performance tee. I really noticed that I felt cool and there was good air movement. Well, as cool as can be expected in those temperatures.

Atayne’s tag line states “Performance with a point of view” and their point of view doesn’t stop at recycled material. They encourage customers to play hard in their performance tee, rinse it off in the shower and hang it to dry (a loop is sewn into the back of tee to promote hang drying). Do this until you feel that it is necessary to wash and then don’t forget to use biodegradable laundry soap.

What Else Do I Need to Know?

At this time Atayne line of products is performance tops for both men and women and also for a variety of sports.

The performance T that I reviewed is the Women’s Grind Recycled Performance Running Top which only weighs only 3.6 ounces. At the time of writing, the Grind comes in colors called Alpine Lake (blue), Mountain Meadow (green), Snow with Grey and Snow with Green and sizes from x-small to x-large. The performance top is designed with raglan sleeves with an anti-chafe flatlock construction.

Where Can I Find the Best Price?

Atayne sells their products at a few select sports stores, but you can find and purchase all their performance products on the Atayne website. Depending on the sports specific top that you choose, prices range from $24.00 up to $69.00 for the cycling jersey.

You may want to consider shirts for your sports team. Atayne offers group pricing on any orders of 24 items or more.

Atayne has a great story with a green focus and I would encourage you to head over to their website www.atayne.com and see for yourself what they have to say and how they are contributing to our environment.

Plus Size Sports Bra

Thursday, December 17th, 2009 at 2:58 pm

Whether small or big breasted, research has shown that a women’s breast bounce a full 8 inches up and down during a run. A good sports bra can support and minimize that movement. For those well endowed ladies, finding a good plus size sports bras that fit well are not always easy to come across. Shopping for a women’s plus size sports bra can be very discouraging.

Look no further ladies. The following are two suggestions for a plus size sports bra that will accommodate larger cup sizes (C – DDD), provide awesome support and definitely make for a more comfortable run

Under Armour’s Heatgear Endure D – zipped front sports bra
Sizes S – XL, best for C & D cups

Combining a zipper front and an ultra secure cross-back design will keep those D cups in place during your run or other sports as well. The zipper front sports bra makes it easy to get on and off. This sports bra is welcoming rave reviews from those that wear them. They are saying that it’s the best sports bra they have ever owned, worth every penny and they would never own another one.

This Under Armour sports bra offers unbelievable support, comfort, is lightweight moisture wicking, easy to get off, stylish and has a snug fit. Could you ask for more? Under Armour have also included mesh or breathable fabric inserts in high heat zones that allows sweat to evaporate and cool air to circulate.

Purchase your Under Armour Heat Gear Endure D Zip Front Sports Bra Womens today from Sports Authority for only $44.99

Champion Powersleek (as seen on The Doctors TV Show)
Sizes 34-44 C, D, DD; 36-44 DDD

The encapsulated molded cups will keep everything in it’s place. User’s love the three hook, three-width closure, that also has no tags to annoy and a gel cushioned back. This Champion sports bra also has wide cushioned shoulder straps with easy-to-adjust velcro to help relieve the pressure on the shoulders. And to add to the comfort this Champion sports bra has a wide supportive bottom band.

Purchase your Champion Powersleek Sports Bra today from ChampionUSA.com for only $29.99

Certain sports bras will work better than others. But with these two top rated sports bras for the “full figure”, there is no need discouraged anymore.

Cold Weather Running Gear

Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 2:13 pm

As the season changes, weather starts to deteriorate, daylight hours get shorter and some days it takes a bit of effort to get out for a run. But for those runners who have invested in the proper cold weather running gear, running throughout the cold weather seasons can be quite comfortable.

As the cool days approach, runners need to replace their shorts with either loose running pants or running tights and change over from short sleeves running shirts to long sleeves. What gets us cold is wet fabric against our skin, so remember when looking for cold weather running gear, make sure that the layer closest to your body is made of a fabric that will wick moisture away from your skin.


ASICS Thermopolis LT Half Zip Top – This cold weather running top is incredibly soft & smooth and more importantly will keep you WARM. The from zipper allows for some venting. – Available at Roadrunner Sports	Saucony Boston Running Pants ($60) – These loose fitting running pants are great to wear alone on a winter run or put on over tights in more extreme cold. 9” ankle zippers make them easy to slide on over running shoes – Available at Paragon Sports	Nike Storm FIT Featherlight Hat ($30) – This reflective hat will repel wind, rain & snow but at the same time is breathable to allow just enough heat to escape. – Available at Paragon Sports

Then as the rain comes, runners need running clothes that will keep them dry as well as warm during their training. Add a water-resistant rain vest or jacket to the cool weather apparel. A running hat is also useful to keep the rain off your face and out of your eyes. The running hat will also help to keep your head dry and warm.


Brooks Aireplex Stretch Jacket – Designed with a weather-resistant stretch-woven fabric and a soft terry wrist wipe for those runny noses. The jacket has a vented back panel that increases breathability. Perfect for light rain and dry snow. – Available at Roadrunner Sports	Saucony Ulti Mitt ($30) – This Mitt will keep you dry, warm and visible as it comes with a removable flashing LED light combined with reflective accents – Holabird Sports	Nike Lightweight Running Skullcap ($18.00) – This beanie will provide enough warmth without overheating your head, the soft Dri-FIT fabric will wick away sweat and the curved panel cover your ears. Has curved panels cover your ears for added warmth. The female version has a ponytail opening at the back. – Available at Roadrunner Sports

You will need to balance comfort with cost when selecting your rain jacket or vest. The choice starts with a cheaper nylon windbreakers to more expensive jackets that are made of blends of polyester, nylon and Gore-Tex. Buyer beware – nylon is not a breathable fabric, so if you purchase a 100% nylon jacket, you may become very hot and sweaty on your run. The more expensive running rain gear will be made of a synthetic blend fabric and will be lightweight, waterproof and breathable. If you use your jacket and/or vest for other active winter wear, then investing in the right clothing makes it more justifiable.

When we get into the very cold days of winter, it’s time to start to layer up. Air and heat gets trapped between the layers and does a great job at keeping you warm. Several thin, light dri-fit layers work better than a couple bulky layers. Thin layers allow you to move more freely and not get weighed down. A good thermal undershirt works well under the long-sleeved running shirt. Depending on the outside temperature it may also be necessary to wear gloves and a hat.

Running Skirts – Bringing Fashion to Fitness

Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 11:00 am

Have you noticed them yet? I’m talking about girls in skirts – or should I say – running girls in running skirts and looking pretty darned cute as well. There’s no denying the fact that runners have great legs. They work hard at it. And if you’ve seen anyone wearing a running skirt, you’ve witnessed how flattering they look. Running skirts look nice AND feel nice over and above being stylish and complimentary.

When I first noticed joggers sporting running skirts, I thought they were wearing tennis skirts for their run. I had yet to realize that a fashion trend in running gear was taking shape. Running skirts looked so comfortable and flattering, I had to find out more. That was how I stumbled upon RunningSkirts.com.

It wasn’t only because the company was so appropriately named that I was drawn to this particular running skirt, but I was also caught up by how community oriented and charitable RunningSkirts.com is. They sponsor frequent draws where runners can enter to win their own running skirts. Not to mention further running and fitness initiatives that RunningSkirts take on throughout global communities.

The founders of RunningSkirts, are two Canadian entrepreneurial twins, Cindy and Christie, who walk the talk. I should say run the talk. Not only do they run marathons, but, as busy moms, they keep up to a marathon Mom schedule every day. They truly enjoy running and fitness as a way of life and have a huge appreciation for athletic wear that is comfortable in the long run.

Their design looks fantastic and after running in one, I also know how good they feel. Running skirts are made with a lightweight, performance fabric that moves when you move and feel so nice against your skin. I own two styles, the first being the athletic skirt style which is constructed a bit roomier, it fits an inch higher on the waist and also an inch longer in the skirt. Underneath the athletic skirt, there are compression shorts with reversible seams which make them the perfect choice for all sports. The only negative I had with the compression shorts is that they rode up my legs which gave way to chaffing.

My second skirt is termed the running skirt style, with the main difference being what’s underneath. Other than it fitting an inch lower on the waist and an inch shorter in the skirt, what comes underneath is a mesh brief with reverse seams. Both styles are made with two side pockets which are perfect for your gels, ipod, keys or any other small items that you like to carry on your run. Either style indisputably compliments the female physique.

Running skirts are not only for runners. No, running skirts are perfect for all fitness wear such as aerobic classes, golf, yoga with special styles for maternity wear and our younger girls as well. They come in a huge array of colors with brilliantly crafted logo. I love the logo. Its okay to look like a girl while you exercise and it’s even better to feel like one.

The Secret to Warmth and Comfort During Winter Running

Monday, November 20th, 2006 at 1:11 pm

Those that love running in the winter-time have probably already discovered the answer to staying warm and comfortable when running in harsher elements and this is….layering. The best way to wick that sweat off your body and stay dry and warm is to Layer Up. Depending on what kind of climate you are running in will depend on how many layers you need to wear, but typically you would start with a:

Base Layer – this layer should be lightweight and made of a technical fabric such as Coolmax (not cotton). This layer should wick that moisture away from your body and deliver it to the outside.

Mid Layer – the mid layer should insulate. While this layer should continue to move the moisture to the outer layer, it should also trap warm air for insulation. This layer should be heavier than your base layer, but not too heavy that you may overheat.

Outer Layer – the outer layer should be breathable but waterproof – this could be a vest or jacket. It will depend on the weather and temperature that you run in as to what you choose for your outer layer.

Last but not least – no winter running attire is complete with a hat and gloves. The majority of our body’s heat is lost through our extemities, so a simple hat and/or pair of gloves can go a long way in keeping you comfortable on your run. The nice part about it is that should you overheat during your run, hats and gloves are really simple to remove and either carry or put in a pocket for the remainder of the run.

New Goals and Runner’s Safety

Wednesday, September 27th, 2006 at 10:44 am

A couple weeks ago, I talked about the end of summer and how this brought about new beginnings I set new goals to increase my fitness levels and get back into my regular running routine. So what have I done about it? Well, if you are a runner, then you probably feel the same as me – I love to run, but any other form of fitness or exercise is a chore because I would rather be running. Because of this attitude that I have, my upper body strength really suffers. I basically haven’t done any upper body exercises or core strength exercises for about 1-1/2 years. So three weeks ago I joined our community “Body Sculpt” class. I am now running 4 times a week and attending 2 body sculpt classes and my daughter said to me the other day how great I was looking. What a compliment, because she tends to be more critical than complimentary. I can feel the strength and muscle in my upper body in just 3 short weeks. My running is starting to also feel more effortless. There hasn’t been a huge difference in my weight, but my shape and conditioning is feeling much better.

The motivation that I get from just feeling fit and running easier just inspires me to get up for that early morning run or attend my body sculpt classes. I love the rewards from my regular exercise routine. If you haven’t set any goals yet, I would like to encourage you to do so. Your goal may be to lose weight. This can also be achieved by incorporating a healthy eating plan and increasing in your exercise routine.

With the onset of autumn, I also wanted to bring up a different subject and that is the one of safety. Since I usually do my run early in the morning, I’m noticing that it is getting darker and darker, especially on cloudy days. This has reminded me to be aware of my running safety, so I also wanted to pass this reminder onto runners that do their runs at dawn or dusk - Make sure that you are running in clothing that you can be seen in! Wear running apparel that has reflective strips and bright pale colours on them so that passing cars can see you clearly. If you don’t have reflective fitness apparel, then wear a reflective vest. I cannot stress the importance of this. Don’t be caught in the dark without reflection.

Don’t Compromise Comfort for Style in Your Aerobic Wear

Thursday, September 14th, 2006 at 4:23 pm

Some people like to just throw on a pair of fleece sweat pants and a cotton T-shirt and head out for exercise class, and this is great for wearing to and from the gym but during exercise it is important to change into aerobic wear is lightweight, loose fitting and is made from breathable material. However, if you prefer to leave the house looking stylish, even when aerobics class is your destination, there is a variety of aerobic wear to choose from that will add a bit of flair to your workout.

Read full article on Aerobic Wear