SUPER chuffed to have been contacted a few months ago regarding my (first ever) opportunity to become a brand ambassador for Just Strong, I have taken the time to buy a few items of their range, and here I am to dish the deal on what I think of it, and what I recommend for you!
What is JUST STRONG?
A relatively new brand of workout gear, Just Strong purports to be a brand founded around the idea of supporting strong women everywhere, and encouraging female empowerment. Certainly a WONDERFUL message to come across, and the advertisements show a range of body types in the models selected; furthermore indicating to me that they are at least trying to be an all-inclusive brand that is suitable for all women. A quick search through Instagram shows that their ambassadors are from all walks of life, and engage in all sorts of physical activities; weights; running, cross fit, etc.
What did I get?
Firstly, let’s get a breakdown of what I actually ordered;
- Black Racer Back Vest
- Crop Top – I can’t seem to find the one I purchased, but it looks pretty similar to this one
- Charcoal Seamless Performance Zip Top
- Shaker/tumbler – again, this product doesn’t seem to be online any more
Let’s break this down one by one, shall we?
Black Racer Back Vest
Sizing and fit
While I get the concept behind this vest and really quite like it, I think I definitely ordered the wrong size. As someone who tends to prefer clothing a little looser when running, I opted for a larger sizing of this top than I really should have; requesting a Large, when I would have been fine with a Medium. As the design for the tank is intentionally loose, you should probably order your accurate size; there are helpful little charts to show you what the equivalent sizing across EU, UK and US, to give you an idea of where you might fit.
Material
Comfortable and breezy when running thanks to the minimal covering; the material that this top is made from is not absorbent AT ALL; allowing you to push your hardest, without the weight of extra sweat holding you down. A huge win, when you live in a tropical location like I do. However, this was a bit of an annoyance for me at first as I often wipe my face on my shirt while running. So, I had to adapt and wear sweat bands (simultaneously saving my life, and grossing me out completely). It’s super stretchy, and certainly not restrictive in any way (due to my over-sized order, I actually felt a liiiittle over-exposed!)
Predominantly made from polyester, the tank is completely wrinkle proof, and is essentially plastic in material form. Great for travel and durability, not so great for the environment. A mild drawback to this material is also the smell factor; synthetic materials can reportedly foster bacteria growth, so be sure to wash this top relatively promptly after wearing, or at least rinse it in the shower and letting it dry before throwing it in with the weekly wash.
In addition to this, I was a bit dismayed to see what after my first run, my watch wristband had been stained where it rubbed against my top whilst moving.
Pro tip for all online clothing orders; WASH BEFORE YOU WEAR. Especially dark colours! I, of course, was a complete rookie for not remembering this vital point.
Conclusion and opinion
A great, loose and comfy tank, but the sizing was off (though this was my own fault). I would also love to see Just Strong include material details on their website for all clothing types in order to make a better judgement next time.
Crop top
Why did I buy this? I have no idea how to wear it?! If you have any ideas please let me know in the comments below!
I don’t think this can genuinely be called a sports bra; it’s nowhere near supportive enough. I’ve worn it once or twice UNDER the racer-back top, just for a bit more modesty, but in all honesty I have no idea what it’s intended for as far as workout gear goes.
Conclusion and opinion
Dud.
Charcoal Seamless Performance Zip Top
Sizing and fit
This top was also ordered in a Large, and I was happy with the fit. I definitely wear it looser than the girl in the advert online; on me it was almost like a slim-ish pullover; I could have worn a fitted tank or vest underneath without too much hassle. I was pretty relaxed about it. For this one I know I probably could have also gotten away with a size smaller, but I don’t mind the looser fit
Material
Again, annoyingly, the website doesn’t actually give a breakdown of the material! Checking the tags, I have seen that its 70% polyester, and 30% nylon; another blend of non-absorbent material. Super comfy, super stretchy, but for all the websites say that polyester and nylon are great for sports material, I find this shirt quite warm to wear, and found that when wearing it running, I felt overheated quite quickly. As a result, I’m going to probably wear it more in colder climates and will give it another try when I head to Melbourne later in the month. Check back for updates in October!
Update: I have repeatedly worn this as a cover-up when headed to the gym in Melbourne, or on runs when it’s cold out. It’s thin enough that it’s not cumbersome, but definitely warm enough that you will still build up a solid sweat.
Conclusion and opinion
A lovely comfy long-sleeved shirt, but not really ideal for running in warmer weather. I will update this post after visiting Melbourne and testing it out in the cooler weather.
Tumbler/Shaker
I’m super disappointed in this; the shaker has no seal, so is not water-tight. While the mixing wire thing is really cool and the size was perfect, it’s pretty much resigned to a desktop smoothie/protein powder holder, as I can’t just chuck it in my bag and go.
It’s not available on the website anymore, so I hope this means that Just Strong are reviewing the design or supplier.
My Conclusions on Just Strong?
I love the idea behind the brand, and their support of female empowerment. I cannot stress that enough.
The clothing is nice. The tops are stretchy and comfortable when exercising, though for all their moisture wicking, I find them really quite warm to the point of being a bit sweaty, especially the long-sleeved one. I think that they would be best for either gym-based (ie. air-conditioned) workouts, or when in a cooler climate than I am currently (tropics).
So, if you’re reading this; Just strong is a great brand for comfy clothes. Quite heavy on the synthetics, but minimalistic and not unstylish by any means. I don’t think I would recommend these for running-based workouts, but they may yet prove their worth in the gym. Time will tell.
Unfortunately, they are quite pricey; making a discount all the more attractive. I wouldn’t recommend you pursue these items at full price as they can hurt the bank a bit.
If you are interested in trying out these clothes for yourself, you can use my coupon at checkout JESSBLU10 to get 10% off. If you’re going to try them out, you may as well get them at a discount, right?
