Review: Under Armour Launches SmartForm Gear that Moulds to Your Body
Nothing ruins a good workout like ill-fitting gear. If you’ve ever had to pull up your leggings in between burpees or tug your T-shirt back down over your belly after every inchworm, then you’ll know just how important it is to find gym apparel that is not only comfortable, but that stays put. While you may think all you need for a great workout is a good pair of running shoes, as it turns out, the gear you run in or exercise in is just as important for performance.
It’s this bugbear that Under Armour is aiming to tackle with its latest performance tech innovation — SmartForm. Using a unique auxetic (pronounced awg-zet-ik) technology structure, Under Armour says its new SmartForm range literally moulds to the exact shape of every athlete’s body, providing more comfort and ensuring no slipping or pinching. Which means it provides a true next-to-skin fit, without being constraining or tight.
For its latest SmartForm gear, Under Armour added SmartForm technology to its Rush fabric to create gear that works with you, not against you, during your training. The Rush fabric incorporates infrared technology that reflects your body’s energy to help you work harder and recover faster, while the SmartForm technology helps to lessen distractions caused by fitness gear.
To accomplish this, the brand says it added extra flex into the already powerful Rush fabric for a fit so reactive and comfortable, that you almost forget it is there. Furthermore, breathable mesh in high sweat zones and anti-odour technology (to prevent the growth of odour-causing microbes) help you stay fresher for longer.
The SmartForm range
For female athletes, the Under Armour SmartForm range includes the SmartForm Rush Sports Bra (R1,199), SmartForm Rush Leggings (R1,399), Rush Performance Top (R899), and more. For men, the range of gear includes UA Rush SmartForm Long Shorts (R1,199) and the UA Rush SmartForm Leggings (R1,599).
SmartForm Rush Leggings
The star of the show for me is the SmartForm Rush Leggings. Beyond comfortable, these leggings are so well fitted and soft, that you almost forget they’re there. The secret to the ultra-comfortable fit is in the waistband. Unlike other waistbands that use compression to cinch and lock, the high-rise SmartForm waistband uses a unique construction that flexes to fit your exact shape as you move. Moreover, the free-cut bottom hem lays flat ensuring the fabric feels super-smooth against your skin, limiting rubbing and chafing as you move.
The leggings are constructed using UA’s Rush fabric, which helps to improve energy expenditure and endurance. The moisture-wicking fabric dries super fast, keeping you comfortable throughout your workout while anti-odour technology works to prevent the growth of odour-causing microbes.
While putting these leggings to the test in a HIIT training session recently, I never once found myself readjusting my leggings, battling rubbing or chafing, or even thinking about my leggings. It moulded so well to my body’s curves and shape that I could focus on my training without a second thought to my gear. What’s more, the thicker waistband made me feel locked in, yet still able to inhale and exhale deeply with every step of a HIIT class. The SmartForm leggings combine surprisingly lightweight fabric, without being see-through (they’re tried and tested squat-proof!), with breathable mesh panels at strategic high-sweat areas, to keep you regulated and cool.
Under Armour SmartForm Performance Top
This super-soft cropped workout top fits great, keeps you dry, and makes you feel like you can crush every personal best record. Featuring the same anti-odour and sweat-wicking technology as the UA Rush SmartForm leggings, this performance crop stays put and keeps you dry throughout your workout, so you don’t have to worry about distractions when you’re trying to perfect your deadlift.
The top boasts advanced seam placement to eliminate pressure points and chafing during your workout, making it an ideal gym partner for those days when you need your head in the game.
The top features the same jacquard auxetic technology in the hem band to ensure the top forms to your shape and moves with you as you train.
Under Armour SmartForm Rush gear is now available online as well as at Under Armour stores.
