Asics Core Long Sleeve Shirt

Price: $30.00

(Asics.com)

This review is for the women's version of this shirt - it is also available for men. I have this shirt in purple and in a medium.

Specs:

• Wicking technology
• Due to the light, textured mesh material of the shirt
• Flatlock stitching
• Flat seams - feels like there is no stitching, resulting in zero friction on your skin
• Tailored fit for the body 
• Asics Atomic Wash technology
• Retro-Reflectivity Technology
• Shirt reflects light so you are easier to detect in the darker hours

Used:

• Cycling (30 minutes)
• Weighlifting sessions (upperbody/back and lowebody workouts)
• Walking (30 minutes)
• Running (4 miles)
   

Under Armour's Charged Cotton Storm Full Zip Hoody

Price: $69.99

I purchased the UA Charged Cotton Storm Hoody in a Men's Small, because I bought a women's UA hoody in the past and it did not fit my body right after it was machine washed. Considering the cost of this product, I wanted to ensure I got something that would fit.

Specs:

• ColdGear
• Thick, smooth fleece for extra warmth
• Soft, natural feel
• All-weather, water-resistant finish
• Ribbed cuffs, front pocket

Used:

• Walking (fast-paced; miles at one time)
• Leisure (sitting, sleeping, slow-paced walking)

Nike Dri-FIT Cushioned No-Show Running Sock

$8.00

(Nike.com)

I wear a size 8 running shoe and went with a medium Nike Dri-Fit Cushioned Running Sock. The sock is available in white or black.

Specs:

• Dri-FIT
•  wicks away moisture to help keep feet dry and comfortable
• Rib cuffs
• Left/right-specific
• Mesh at ankles
• Blister Prevention Technology
• Cushioned for comfort, shock absorption
• 78% Dri-FIT Polyester
• 21% Nylon
• 1% Spandex

Used:

• Cardio (40 minutes)
• Walking (60 minutes)
• Weightlifting

Under Armour Women's Coach's Polo

 

$44.99

(UnderArmour.com)

The UA Women's Coach's Polo was part of my work uniform last year. I was unsure of what size to get, so I got a large. I should've gone with the medium because the large was a little big in some places, but it was a comfortable fit nonetheless.

Specs:

• Heatgear
• 95% Polyester/ 5% Elastane

Nike Free XT Motion Fit+ Training Shoe

Price: $90.00

(Nike.com)

The Nike Free XT Motion Fit+ is my first shoe that is used solely for training. I got the Metallic Silver/Metallic Cool Grey with High Voltage Yellow colorway. For sizing reference, I wear an 8.5 in other Nike shoes (such as the woman's Tiempo soccer cleats) and an 8.5 in the Nike Free XT fits perfectly.

Specs:

• Nike Free technology for natural movement in all directions
• Allows your feet to move as if they were barefoot
• This natural motion builds strength and, by association, speed
• Full-length midsole for excellent impact cushioning and underfoot comfort
• Mid-fit system for increased stability in the upper
•  Nike+ Technology
• Use your iPhone, iPod, Nike watch, or Nike GPS to track statistics about your runs
• Note: The above listed technologies do not come with the shoe. The shoe is merely compatible with the Nike+ technology, meaning that you can use the technology while wearing this training shoe

Used:

• Cardio: 40 minutes walking
• Weightlifting
• Lower body (dumbbell squats, dumbbell dead lifts, lunges, sitting leg press, ect)

Nike Fast Pace Women's Running Shirt

 Price: $30.00

Nike.com

[Note: my model of this shirt only had mesh in the under arm area - it did not run all the way down the side. I think the one currently featured on Nike.com (pictured above) is a better version, because the mesh creates ventilation and helps wick away your sweat.]

I got this shirt in a medium and it fits great.

Specs:

• Dri-FIT technology 
• Meant to wick sweat away and help keep you dry and comfortable
• Flat-seam construction to minimize chafing
• Longer back hem to help keep shirt in place
• Contrast mesh panels at shoulders, sides and upper back
• Reflective loop at upper back to keep media-player cords out of the way
• 100% polyester

Used:

• 20 minute cardio on treadmill
• Weightlifting - dead lifts, crunches, oblique exercises, push ups, pull ups

Reebok's Play Dry Burnout Tee

Price: $19.99

(Dick's Sporting Good Store)

Specs:

• 55% Polyester / 45% Cotton
• Regular fit – not too tight, not too loose; perfect for all workouts and everyday activities
• Play Dry fabric wicks moisture, accelerates evaporation, increases ventilation, reduces chaffing and doesn’t trap heat
• Flattering v-neck design; cap sleeve for coverage and mobility

Since this shirt is suppose to be "regular fit", I went with a large because the medium was too tight. I really enjoy the fit and feel of the shirt.

Used:

• 30 minute jog on campus (uphills, 60-75% depending on terrain, 88 degrees)

I just got back from my run and felt compelled to review the Reebok Play Dry Burnout Tee.

The feel of the Play Dry on my body reminded me of the Nike Pro because of the polyester. It's nice to have an athletic shirt that is this shade of green because, for whatever reason, I don't see it very often. I am also a fan of the v-neck style.

My goal was to test Reebok's claim that the shirt moves moisture away from the skin, accelerates evaporation, increased ventilation, and doesn't trap heat inside of it. 

The Play Dry Burnout tee failed in every regard and did worse than the Nike Pro I previously reviewed. This is because the shirt has a cotton component to it which decreases its speed of evaporation and increases its absorption and accumulation of sweat. After I completed my run, I could not believe how much sweat had collected in the shirt.

Under Armour's Tech Short Sleeve T

Price: $19.99

 (UnderArmour.com)

Specs:

• Heatgear - use in warmer temperatures
• Cotton-like feel with moisture transport
• Loose fit
• Flexible range of motion
• Versatile and Comfortable, a gym bag essential
• Raglan sleeves, reduced shoulder seam abrasion points
• 95% 4.6 oz Polyester/ 5% Elastane

I got a medium sized Tech T as a gift. The fit is big on me and I have some room for "expansion," if you know what I mean. I have a women's sized medium that fit perfectly the first time I wore it, but shrunk in the wash.

Used:

• Leisure, sitting, sleeping
• Walking
• Running

The Under Armour Tech T is very comfortable. I enjoy the feel of the fabric very much and prefer it to 100% cotton shirts. The visual is conservative, with the only visual feature of note being the seams located on the shoulder. Surprisingly, the seams do not cause any irritation on my skins meaning that the seams work as advertised.

For functionality, this shirt is ok for leisure activities like walking or going on a picnic. This shirt does not wick away heavy concentrations of sweat and moisture, a revelation that I came to after doing a high intensity interval cardio workout at the gym. I was pretty unhappy with it at that point, so I can't recommend wearing the shirt while do exercise.

Meal Replacement: Myoplex Lite Powder (Chocolate)

I'm going to switch it up a bit and talk about a shake that I've used:

Price: $49.99 (GNC.com)

Notable Nutrition Facts:

• Serving size: 1 packet
• Calories: 180
• Calories from fat: 15
• Total fat: 2g
• Protein: 25g

I make the protein drink by combining one packet of Myoplex Lite with 8 ounces of 2% milk (or water). I then add a fruit - usually a banana or strawberry - and ice if I want it to have the texture of a milkshake. I have not tried too many meal replacements.

I first tried Myoplex Lite in 2009 for the purpose of weight control. I have found mix results while using this product. It works great as a meal replacement when I do not have enough time to make a traditional meal. The Myoplex shake fills me up and I do feel hungry for up to four hours. It does not work well as a post workout recovery drink, I assume it is because it does not have the amount of protein that is needed after a heavy weight workout.

By heavy workout, I mean that I focus on either my upper or lower body during an intense weightlifting session aimed to build strength. The shake says that you must drink it within 30 minutes of completing your workout, but I usually drink it within five minutes. Days after the workout, I am still very sore and experience delayed onset muscle soreness. That is why I cannot recommend this product as a post workout shake.

The chocolate flavor is better than the others I have tried, though the vanilla flavor is great for mixing with fruit. I love chocolate so that plays a big part in my favoring chocolate over the other flavors.

Verdict: Good meal replacement, not a good recovery shake.

Rating: 8.5 as a meal replacement, 6.8 as a post-workout shake.

Purchase EAS Myoplex Lite Powder at GNC.com

Under Armour's Recharge Compression Sock

Price: $19.99 (UnderArmour.com)

Specs:

• Heatgear
• Odor Control 
• prevents growth of odor causing bacteria
• Strategic ventilation
• cushion in selective areas to provide shock absorption and protection
• Embedded Arch Support reduces foot fatigue and bolsters circulation
• Designed to reduce swelling, soreness time & fatigue
• Strategic Compression promotes muscle repair by targeting & stabilizing muscles
• 93% Nylon, 7% Lycra Spandex

I got this sock in a medium ( I wear a size 8.5 in women's shoes and size 7 in men's). I have owned it for six months.

Used:

• Post workout recovery (after lower body workout routine - machine and free weights)
• Post endurance cardio training (40+ minutes of running on hard surfaces)

The Recharge compression sock was very effective at helping my calfs and lower leg muscles recover quickly from a heavy lower body workout. I have very tight calf muscles, so I use these pretty often. I even wear them when I sleep because I've experienced charlie horses in the middle of the night. The only weakness I found was that there was no left/right label on them so if I wore them once they'd stretch out and I was unable to remember which sock went on which foot. Minor issue, of course.


As far as visuals go, you can get the sock in either white or black. The Under Armour logo is located on the top of the foot and the size of the sock is located near the arch of the foot. The Recharge logo is featured on the shin and where the sock meets the back of the knee.

Under Armour's Surge Jacket

Price: $99.99 (UnderArmour.com)

Specs:

• All Season Gear:
• For between the extremes, ideal for when the season are changing
• Moisture transport system to deliver core temperature regulation and breathability
• Strategic Ventilation
• Built into key points where your body dumps heat, meant to keep you cool in extreme heat
• Loose fit
• 100% polyester

I got the Under Armour Surge jacket because my place of work is sponsored by Under Armour and I thought that it would be the perfect jacket for when I worked outside in the fall weather. I got a medium and it fits perfectly. The one I bought was the older version that did not have a foldaway back flap or a hood.

Exercises done while wearing the Under Armour Surge Jacket:

• Cardio (medium distance and short distance - aka sprints to two miles)
• Soccer

Other activities done while wearing the Under Armour Surge Jacket:

• Standing in the wind
• Standing in the rain (aka an intense downpour that quickly turned into hail. No joke.)

The Surge is excellent at repelling water, so if I see that it is raining or going to rain, I'll throw on this jacket. Unfortunately, the model I own does not have a hood so I usually have to wear a hooded sweatshirt underneath which is pretty annoying if it is warm and/or humid outside. As the UA description says, this is best for the in-between seasons of fall and spring. I cannot recommend it as a winter jacket because the Surge alone will not keep you warm in 20 degree Fahrenheit weather.

My biggest issue with this jacket (besides the no hood) is that the pockets are not lined. When it's cold I want to put my hands in my pockets to keep my hands warm. The abscense of a liner in the pocket makes it impossible to do that. I had to buy gloves, but I still maintain the belief that it was a mistake to not line the pockets with something other than the polyester fabric that is featured on the outside of the jacket. This should be something they look to improve upon in the future.

Nike Pro - Core Fitted Women's Training Shirt

 Price: $25 (Nike.com)

Specs: 

• Non-restrictive fit for comfort and mobility
• Made with performance fabric to help keep you dry 
• Swoosh design trademark at left chest
• Fabric: Dri-FIT 84% polyester/18% spandex

Let me explain the Dri-Fit and Nike Pro technology according to what Nike says:

Dri-Fit is a polyester based fabric meant to wick away sweat and keep you dry and comfortable.

Nike Pro is a four-way stretch Dri-Fit material that is also suppose to wick away sweat to keep you dry and comfortable.

(That sounds like the same thing to me... but continuing on)

Excercises done while wearing the Nike Pro Core Fitted shirt:

• High intensity interval training (sprints and elliptical on high resistance)
• Short distance running (two miles)
• Weightlifting
• Calisthenics
• Combination (Jog a mile, stretch, weight lift, jog another mile at a faster pace than the first)

I sweat a ridiculous amount when I'm at the gym. I like to think that it is because I am working at my limit, but deep down it is probably because of my genetics. I'm sweat-prone. This means that my cotton t-shirts are drenched at the end of my workout compared to other people in the gym.

The first time I wore the Nike Pro Core Fitted shirt, I went on a two mile run with medium intensity (6.8 pace on the treadmill, 2.5 incline). Imagine my surprise when I finish and realized that I have huge sweat marks on my shirt. Please, refer to the descriptions of Dri-Fit and Nike Pro as defined above. This shirt did not wick away my sweat! Pretty disappointed because it did not meet my expectations. Despite the negatives, I did enjoy the feel of the fabric. Super comfortable and stretchy.

Adidas Techfit PowerWEB Seasonal Tee (Men's)

Cost: $50.00 (Adidas.com)

Specs:

• Ventilated Climacool technology
• Meant to keep you dry and comfortable
•  Formotion
• Built to move with your body
•  Techfit
•  Very tight, form fit compression
•  PowerWEB technology
• Actively supports your upper body muscles
• Addidas claims that htis boosts your power output and energy efficiency
• 75% nylon/25% elastane tricot

Excercises done while wearing:

• medium distance running (two to five miles)
• high intensity interval training (sprints and elliptical)
• weightlifting (Upperbody - machines and free weights)
• Combination (short sprints, weightlifting, one mile run)

*Please note that this is a men's shirt, so the compression is not as tight as a compression shirt should be. 

This shirt helped to delay muscle failure during my upper body workout which allowed me to do an extra set or two on each exercise. I could feel the PowerWeb on the back when I was doing a rowing motion weight exercise. I sweat more than the average person does, but I was not self-conscious when I was wearing this shirt because it really did wick the sweat right off my skin. The Adidas Techfit PowerWeb shirt moved with my natural movements, which was awesome. It's like another layer of skin, not a shirt.


I still experienced delayed onset muscle soreness for three days after my upper body workout.