IT ’ S AS COOL AS ICE
Recently Ed Sean Falconer and I both received shirts from the new Under Armour Iso- Chill Range to wear-test . I love Under Armour ’ s products , as their gym-wear ‘ shapes ’ to me and gives me confidence to do a workout at 100 %, so with the song Ice , Ice , Baby in my head , I set to work . – BY ROXANNE MARTIN
The Iso-Chill microfibre technology was unveiled in 2019 and Under Armour claims that it expels heat immediately from the body when activated by sweat , thanks to moisturewicking fibres that lay flat against your skin to evenly disperse heat , with added titanium dioxide to absorb UV Energy and increase the rate of wicking . As a result , Iso-Chill garments literally feel cool to the touch and send a cooling sensation back to the body , which means that you can continue racing or training at a higher intensity for longer .
The shirt is very light to start , and I am not sure if it was entirely in my head , but it had an icy feel to the touch , and even more so when I put it on . On the back of the shirt you ’ ll also find two ventilation openings by the shoulder and rows of tiny lazer-cut holes all up the back , which I assumed were to further promote airflow and cooling , but testing would tell .
PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING
The first step was identifying the best way to test the fabric and see if the Iso-Chill microfibre technology works . My first idea was to test the shirt while riding on the indoor trainer , because out of all the exercise I do , this is hands down where I sweat the most ! That could be due to being indoors , or it could be due to the strain on my body , but either way , it seemed the most logical step .
I chose a longer session , with some sharp and punchy sprints to make sure that I was going to work hard . I also did this workout sans a fan , which is something I usually never do – anyone who has done indoor training at home , especially high intensity , knows that a fan is a necessity ! As a result , I started to sweat a lot earlier than I would normally do .
Concentrating hard on the workout , it took me a while to notice that while my forehead was dripping with sweat , the rest of my body wasn ’ t . It was an odd sensation at first … my skin was dryer than normal , even my arms that weren ’ t covered by the shirt . Also , I felt comfortably cool . My heart rate was between zones 4 and 5 for the majority of the ride , so I knew I was working hard , and I definitely held the intensity throughout the ride , but without feeling as much fatigue as I normally would .
REAL OR IMAGINED ?
When testing gear , I always read up on the product first , to better understand what it can do , and also to figure out scenarios that will test those trigger points of what the product offers . I had done this before taking the Iso-Chill out on its maiden workout , but I had a nagging feeling that the results were so good that maybe it was ‘ all in my head ,’ as they say . So , I decided that maybe I should give the shirt another test in a more movement-orientated environment .
Due to a recent back injury , my exercise options have been limited , so Pilates has been a saving grace , as it is all about low-impact exercise , meaning I can stay in shape despite not being able to run . It has also led me to discover a class I love , Pound Fit , where you do various exercise movements to music while banging drum sticks ! I can highly recommend it for anyone who has pentup frustration . It ’ s also a lot of movement that makes you build up a sweat …
In studio , I asked the instructor for a high-intensity class to make sure that I would be sweating – or “ making my fat cry ,” as I like to say . Five minutes into the class I once again found that while my head was sweating a lot , my body was not nearly as sweaty as usual in that class . I would liken it to moisturemanagement on steroids , because the fabric was working in overdrive , pulling the sweat away from my skin and keeping me cool and dry the whole time . So , I can now 100 % vouch that the shirt really does do what it claims … and no , it wasn ’ t just in my head !
REALLY COOL SENSATION
When you first feel the effects of Iso-Chill , it can seem a little odd – like a sensation you are not sure what to do with – but the further and harder you go , the cooler you stay . The shirt doesn ’ t become heavy with sweat , nor does it become wet , either . It doesn ’ t matter the length of the workout , the shirt remains dry , as do you . So , heading into the summer months , I can highly recommend this as a great addition to your training wardrobe !
GET IT HERE
Under Armour ’ s Iso-Chill garments are available in both the run and train category in Under Armour Brand House stores nationwide , as well as online at www . underarmour . co . za . The price range runs from R399 for an Iso-Chill Launch Run 67 Hat , to R1299 for a men ’ s UA Iso-Chill Polo Shirt .