Wednesday, April 8, 2009

ZENSAH REVIEW

So I got some products from Zensah right before I got sick but I was excited to try them out and had to wait an incredibly long time to do so. I got a pink sports bra, some pink arm warmers, a pink running skirt and some compression socks. I decided to run in the sports bra and use the arm warmers this weekend for my extended long run/race.

I am VERY picky about sports bras, so I was skeptical this one would be tight enough, hold everything together and not chafe. I am right inbetween a 34B/C so smalls are WAY too tight and mediums usually fit okay, but sometimes they squeeze the fat on my underarms which doesn't look very chic. For some reason I also chafe like a snake shedding it's skin on my long runs.

Then the arm warmers... The first person I ever saw wearing them was LA Runner and I wondered what in the HECK they were used for. After a while it dawned on me but I still didn't see the need for them at all, or if they would even work, plus I thought I would look like an idiot with them on. I thought the same thing about my hydration belt and now I have one and love it. Little did I know that the arm warmers would be amazing. I even saw a few comments yesterday wondering what I was doing with them. I agree, it's weird, but wait till you hear about them.

The sports bra is seriously great. I like my sports bras unusually tight and this one fit nice and snug but wasn't suffocating. I even noticed it holding everything together at all the right times. That's right, I checked myself out in the buildings I ran by and saw that I wasn't all over the place. It wasn't too tight to wreck with my breathing and I felt very, shall we say, supported, at ALL times, which is nice. Sometimes when it's too hot my sports bras get damp with sweat and this was not the case at all. It stayed dry and the material was VERY comfortable. I was really surprised with what a difference this sports bra made. I wore it for a very long run too, 16 miles, and it held up great.

Another great thing about the sports bra was that there was absolutely no sign of chafing at all. I usually have some kind of chafing in a ring around chest from the top of the sports bra and also underneath the sports bra. I had absolutely no sign of either spots chafing. I was comfortable, not to warm and I even ran without a shirt for 2 miles and felt great, not like I was giving a free show to those around me. It was a great support sports bra and fit really well. I totally would recommend them, and they have a cool colors on their site.

Secondly the arm warmers. I was very VERY skeptical that these things were worth basically anything. They are fairly expensive and I just couldn't see myself buying something without getting to try it out first. I didn't even know the true need for these. I didn't know what to expect or how warm they would keep me, anything. I slipped them on over my arms before I left and they were at least very comfortable on. I didn't know what to expect once I went outside. It was pretty cool out, and I did want to wear a long sleeve shirt but I HATE having to tie it around my waist, neck or whatever I can, once I get warm after running for ten minutes. The sleeves are simply AMAZING. I was shocked how great they worked. My arms felt warm the entire time and they are the perfect length so that Claude doesn't hit my wrist bone either. They are breathable, and felt like nothing was even on my arms but they kept me the perfect temperature.





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Even when it got a little warmer, they were so comfy I just left them on. I wore them for all of my 16 mile run and never felt more comfortable in my life. I wasn't too hot or too cold and they worked out great. I would totally recommend them to anyone who goes out for a run and doesn't want to get cold. Seriously, I was really skeptical, but now that I've tried them I know I'll be using these instead of long sleeved shirts that just overheat me. Plus, they make you look WAY MORE HARDCORE!


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There is a section that got cut off that said that it was really easy to bend and move my arm in because my other arm is bent. And I totally realize that I spelled hight instead of high. FAIL big time, but I am not going back into photoshop (though my skills are obviously amazing) to fix it. You get the point, they go up high.

Though Zensah's products are a bit more on the pricey side, I totally think they are worth it. Arm warmers are a great way to stay warm and not have to haul a bunch of crap with you on your run. Also you can slip stuff inside them and keep it there, like a key. They never bunched or even moved when I ran, moved or anything. They were not to tight or sufficating either, which was great. When you do get hot, you can just push them down around your wrists and they don't even bother you. Give them a try! Thanks again to Zensah who allowed me to try out the arm warmers and made me a follower! I can't wait to wear them in the summer months on longer runs with a tank top!

I am so busy getting ready for Hawaii that my running is suffering. I only went for a little 3 mile jog yesterday and we'll see what I can fit in tonight inbetween laundry and packing! Get ready for tomorrow, when I announce the winner of the $100 onlineshoes.com giveaway, and have Deal Thursday! :)


xoxo

57 comments:

Jogger said...

I think I might have to try their sports bras now! Good SB's are so hard to find.

Unknown said...

Do the arm warmers ride up into your elbow area at all with your arm always moving? I would think they would bunch, but if they stayed put... I might be interested. I usually warm up quick, but really hate the cold.

Marlene said...

Thanks for the great review - I'm so tempted to try those out!

MOMMY-MOMO said...

i love those! I think they look super cute! I'd totally dig them i already know. i'll have to keep my eyes open for them!

Anonymous said...

I use the Zensah Leg sleeves and LOVE them!

Aron said...

very cool!!!! I might have try out those sleeves sometime! Thanks for the review :)

ps pick ME tomorrow :)

Unknown said...

Luv the arm warmers. Super cute!

Jo Lynn said...

I DO love that they are pink. ;)

Niki said...

Thanks for the review!! They are very cute!

bb said...

Hey, great review! Thanks! I've been wanting to invest in some Zensah leg sleeves, but I was scared of the price.

Jeri said...

Completely unrelated to your post: I love that you rock the earrings for your race/long run. I'm so not a girly girl, but I always wear my diamond studs for my workouts (well all the time actually, I rarely take them out), and am glad I'm not the only one. I pretend that their sparkle distracts from my uber sweatiness.

J said...

I am really picking about my sports bras too. I like to have everything kept in place while I run and I am an in-between size too! I might have to look into these bras! I am so jealous you get to go to Hawaii!

X-Country2 said...

I'm a sucker for anything pink. :o)

Another great review!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the review- I hate tying long sleeves around my waist while running so these may be a good investment!

Tara Gibson said...

ooo i may have to try those out! and they are pink : )

Susan said...

I've thought about trying arm warmers for the in between type weather, but I wasn't sure how they would be. The elites wear them, so they must be good, right?

If only Ryan Hall would wear pink arm sleeves...

Melanie said...

I just won a free sports bra from Zensah that I think will be here on Friday. I'm super pumped to hear you liked it. I'm looking forward to trying it! I always buy the Champion bras at Target for like $16 because I don't like to spend a ton of money on bras, but if I like this one I might be tempted. I might also have to try the arm warmers!

~Mrs. Guru~ said...

I love your shirt in that picture! So cute!

RunToTheFinish said...

very very cool, I too have been wondering about the arm warmers and if I would really find them useful!

No Longer Using said...

wow i have never seen these arm bands before! they LOOK really tight but i will take your word for it they are really comfy! they are def cute not sure when i would wear them tho!!

Amber said...

I've never even heard of those arm warmer things but I would love to try them, I've been wearing long sleeved shirts lately but getting WAY too hot. I'll have to look into them!

http://gokristen.wordpress.com said...

I totally check myself out in building reflections...but usually I am a tad repulsed!
P.S. Like the review on the bra, will have to check them out. Need to take care of the TaTa's!

Jennifer said...

Thanks for the reviews! I have been having such a hard time finding a sports bra that actually fit! I like them really tight, but its like they only manufacture ones that let you 'loose'...I'm going to have to try this one!

Kathleen said...

Those arm warmers are very cute! Understand about the importance of a good bra. I'm a 32/34 and more than DD, so it's big challenge.

J.J. said...

I like the pink too :) I will file the arm warmers in my noggin.

Jennifer said...

Out of curiosity, what was the size sports bra that did the miraculous? (so I can order the right one!)

Brooke said...

I've been wondering about those arm warmers. They look super weird, but I'm glad to hear they are comfy and recommended!

kristen said...

I am totally behind on reading but I wanted to say I really enjoyed your adoption post and I can't wait for the rest of the stories!

alos, great reveiw - I have never tried this brand...yet.

Denise said...

Great review!! Loved hearing about the arm warmers. I think I'd wear them all the time. I'm always freezing!

Cindy said...

great reviews! i might wait until my upper arms are more toned before i put try the warmers. if i put them on now i'd probably have an arm muffin top. but i like that you can put the garmin on over it. i like to do that with my sleeve, but then i eventually get too hot and want to take off my long sleeved layer.

maria khoury said...

i think the arm warmers are kinda cute, but then again, i like leg warmers too! my favorite part by far of this post is your photo shop-ping.

Janice {Run Far} said...

awesome.. thanks for the reviews, I have been wanting to try the arm warmers.

Vicki T said...

excellent reviews. good sports bras are hard to come by. I might have to try this company because I'm not super in love with any of the ones I own already.

I love the idea of the arm-warmers! Can't help but think they must make for some sweet tans lines if you're out in the sun. :P

Julie {Angry Julie Monday} said...

Great review!! I like the comments on your photo. So funny!

Alisa said...

Good review...though I was expecting to see you in the SB =).

I might try arm warmers if they were pink =).

Sport bras ARE so hard to find. Mine never seem quite perfect. Maybe I'll have to shell out some $ for a nicer one than my target cheap-o's.

joyRuN said...

Love your photoshop skilz :)

I doubt I can carry off looking as cute in arm warmers as you - tempting to try out though!

Anonymous said...

Great reviews. Love the arm warmers.

Marci said...

Those pink arm warmers are very cute!

jlc said...

I'm glad I'm not the only one who enjoys a nice tight bra.... haha!! And THIS is why I continue to read.... I find these quirks out about you.

Great photoshopping!!

Anonymous said...

You are too cute. Awesome review of both products. The diagram eas especially helpful.

Felice Devine said...

OK, those arm warmers are TOO CUTE! Thanks for the review -- that's my bra size, too, so I was particularly interested in that.

Lauren said...

and they're cute too!

Dr Wednesday said...

I love a good sports bra... we'll see... ; )

Nicole said...

I might have to get some of those arm warmers... living in michigan you never know WHAT kind of weather you will get! Great review!

Billy said...

You are too funny Danica...diggin the mad Photoshop skillz!

Definitely need to borrow those pink puppies for a race one of these days...remember, you can stick things like Gu, keys, etc in there too.

Ashley @ {Let Go, Laughing} said...

I might have to try the sports bras now! It's so hard to find good one's and I love that you can get them in cute colors!

Kristen said...

I love that when/if you get hot you don't have to deal with a bulky shirt and I can just roll them up and put them in the pouch on my water belt.

Love the review. I will have to check out their products.

Glenn Jones said...

Danica - I'm going to look into arm warmers now that you've given your stamp of approval. There are sometimes that a long sleeve shirt is just going to be too much, but a short sleeve shirt may be too little (thingks like long run Saturdays for me). Thanks for the info!

Jesse said...

Thanks for posting the review of the arm warmers. I've yet to see someone in real life wearing them, but I've always wondered about them when I see them in photos.

healthy ashley said...

I love the Zensah shin sleeves. With those sleeves I ran a half marathon with bad shin splints.. and beat my time by 10 minutes. Great review!

Girl in Carolina said...

I'm gonna get some of those!! I might not need them anymore currently because it's getting warmer here. But I will need them this fall - because I will be running like a mad woman by then! Oh yes, I will! :) Those are SO cute. Gotta have em in pink.

Thanks for all the encouragement. You are the best! I mean it!

Running mommy said...

What a smart idea! I had never heard of arm warmers before, but I agree with you that it's very unpleasant to have to tie a too warm jacket around your waist!

I'm thinking about a hip belt or something, but I keep thinking they must be so annoying..

Anonymous said...

never seen those before ! thanks for the awesome review :) :)

Run For Life said...

I am definitely going to have to try that bra out because it sounds like we have the same issues and I'm always looking for great sports bras. Thanks for the reviews!

Jocelyn said...

Amazing diagrams

Missy said...

Mmmm, their sports bra, you say?! I may have to check it out. I'm looking for a no rub bra! Love the leg sleeves, love, love them.

Christine said...

You changed my running world! It never occurred to me to put my watch OUTSIDE of my jacket and mittens. What a great idea!