Flashback to 1999. I was a just out of college and determined to “become a runner” (because somehow running five seasons of cross country didn’t make me one already). I was still living in Nashville and was racking up the weekly miles like it was my job. In fact running was such a priority in my life, I’m surprised I even had a job in the first place at somewhere other than the local YMCA.
Anyways, I ran right when I got out off work at 3:30 in the afternoon during the heat of the summer in the sticky south. Somewhere along the way, I began running in just a sports bra and tacky patterned running shorts.
It was one summer and one summer only that I ran in just a sports bra. (maybe I blame my youth or my lack of dri-fit clothing)
Regardless, I really didn’t think much about running through the streets wearing such little clothing.
{insert unfound photo of a young FCITC, too tan, ten pounds lighter, and without wrinkles}
Flash forward to present day and it’s safe to say working out in just a sports bra is not omething I would have considered doing until last month. New Balance invited me to ride with them at the Seak Foundation’s Sports Bra Challenge and I knew I had to take on the challenge of working out in public in just a sports bra.
What is the Sports Bra Challenge?
Founded by Jenny Gaither, Soul Cycle instructor and lululemon ambassador, The Sports Bra Challenge is an outdoor cycling class where women ride in just a sports bra. The event raises money for the SEAK Foundation.
The goal of the organization:
“builds supportive communities for women to address, bring awareness to and embrace who they are by building confidence through fitness. We provide women with tools and resources necessary to achieve and sustain a positive body image.”
Quickly after receiving the invitation, I polled facebook to see how you guys felt about working out in just a sports bra. I found out I wasn’t the only one who wasn’t found of the idea.
I excitedly showed up at the event not really knowing what to expect. It ended up being a powerful day of women sweating together, dancing to the music and celebrating.
The message of the day:
In a world that creates unrealistic standards about what we should look like on the outside, embrace who you are, be confident and proud of the body you have.
It’s definitely a message I needed to hear.
Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. New Balance, a sponsor of the 2013 Sports Bra Challenge invited me to ride one of their sponsored bikes during the event and outfitted me for the ride.
I think it’s a great movement. I hear women of all ages constantly complaining about their bodies at the gym. I wish they would just focus on the hour hard work-out they just did!
I still run in sports bra and shorts when it’s hot out (maybe I shouldn’t but…).
I love the guiding principle of this movement–being comfortable in your own skin. I’ve never been able to work out in just a sports bra, but I know I’d feel more confident and secure at an event like the one you attended, Jess. Very, very cool.
I love the idea of this movement! I just wish the bikes for that event were not so expensive so women of all socio-economic classes could feel good about themselves in a sports bra!