Fact: workouts are hot and sweaty and all that heat can be bothersome. Your heart is pounding, your legs are shaking and all you want to do is make it through that workout. This is why the new Under Armour Iso-Chill range has come to the rescue, to keep you cool so you can focus on your sweat sesh. We tried out the new range with Running Late Club, a place where socialising meets running for a community joined in a common goal: to get out there and run more.
The Under Armour Iso-Chill range
Manufactured to keep you cool, each garment is infused with titanium dioxide (TiO2), a mineral that’s meshed with the fabric itself. It draws heat away from the body (especially when worn close to your core) and makes you feel instantly cooler.
The Under Armour Iso-Chill fabric is woven with a flat, ribbon-like yarn. This increases the surface area that the cooling yarn can contact your skin. Sounds cool, right? And the potential is huge: when you’re cool, you can push through workouts harder, going longer and faster.
We tested it with Running Late Club
Running Late, a Cape Town-based running club, brings people together with the ethos of community and togetherness. “We started with the core idea of ‘It’s better late than never’. And that applies to all things in life, whether it’s breaking your [bad] habits, still achieving your goals or just you know, picking up a new hobby,” says Grace Evans, co-founder of the club. “It’s a community for people to feel safe, for people to feel like they don’t have to be the best at running to come join us. So as we have the fitness side of things, we also have the social aspect to it, and we really care about the individuals.”
Social runs = more fun
Running Late hosts two runs a week, one on Wednesdays and another on Fridays. Every run is centred around community and connection: there’s time to mingle, mix and meet new people and swap stories. That’s part of what makes the club so special, says Grace. “As much as we are about improving our fitness, it’s also about socializing, meeting people and just bonding over an activity and meeting people that you normally wouldn’t meet at work or in your normal friendship circles.”
Not only that, but Running Late also joins in on races. “I think a lot of people started from the social aspect, where 5k was super intimidating. And now we are seeing them do half marathons, full marathons and ultra-marathons,” says Grace. “We have a woman that’s doing 100 kilometres soon. So it’s been really really awesome to see people gain confidence and just inspire each other!” Keen to join? Follow Running Late on Instagram.
Testing Under Armour Iso-Chill
Grace had a week to try out the Under Armour Iso-Chill range and took it on a few runs and also at the gym. “It was super flexible; it felt amazing. There was no resistance when I was training, I found it super cool and refreshing,” says Grace. The lightweight garments made a huge difference and it really feels cooling to the touch, a game changer when working out in hotter temps.
UA Iso-Chill Laser T-Shirt
Iso-Chill fabric disperses heat and is cool to the touch. Laser perforations on the back panel promote breathability and four-way stretch material helps you move better in every direction.
The UA HOVR™ Machina Breeze Running Shoes
We got to also try out these super light and airy shoes. A mesh panel on the top makes it feel as though your feet are airy while you’re running. The shoe feels incredibly supportive around the ankle and is cushioned throughout, so you’re flying in comfort. “I feel like the shoes are suitable for a longer run, but also if you just want to do a 5k, that would also be super comfortable,” says Grace. “I felt the shoes were very supportive, and I have struggled with injuries before so I felt like it was a very comfortable run.”
UA HOVR™ Machina Breeze Running Shoes
Made with a combination of blown rubber and carbon in the outsole, it has durability and a lightweight rebound. A 3D-moulded sock liner cradles your foot for comfort, while responsive UA HOVR™ cushioning reduces impact, returning energy to your foot and propelling you forward.
