Under Armour that is.

So the shortened version of the story goes like this: I have this problem. I have an addiction (lol). I’m addicted to anything Under Armour.

It’s so apparent and obligatory that my nickname around certain areas of where I work is ‘Under Armour’. I wear it a lot. In fact the word a lot doesn’t really do my habit any justice. The other day I tried to take stock on how many apparel items of Under Armour I owned….

I lost count.

Over the past 3 years or so I some how started a collection of sorts. Although the word collection implies a lack of use. I wear and use all my UA gear year round. I wear it for work, play and leisure. I have accessories as well as promotional paraphernalia. Yes, did I mention it’s quite the ‘questionable’ obsession.

So the question is why wear it? It’s expensive – at the very least it is much more expensive than the competitor and the so-called knock-offs that are out there.

I tried the knock-offs. I even wore them for a short time. Then I bought a couple compression UA  T-shirts when they were on sale.

WOW!

It was night and day. The improvement in the material, the feel, the performance, etc. The UA was worlds apart from the wannabes.

As for the competitors? Never tried them. Never will.

Under Armour has proven time and time again (at least for me) that they deliver the product they promote. I love the wicking effect – and how well that works. I sweat A LOT. Whether it’s at work or when I exercise – I sweat buckets. The UA gear does a great job of keeping me ‘swamp free’. And then on the flip side – when things cool down, UA gear keeps me warm and chill-free.

It started with just wearing the gear at work. Then I got the compression gear for exercising! I was hooked! The compression gear not only delivers the same top-notch wicking and absorption, but I gotta admit, it feels great! Heck it feels awesome.

Yep, I’m the geeky UA gear walking billboard in the gym. I am plastered with Under Armour from head to toe. I think I only have one item of clothing that is NOT UA when I’m exercising. Yes, I’m that guy.

I’ll admit it. It’s not only the functionality of the gear, but it’s the image. The image and the reputation that UA has developed over the past couple years has become quite the motivator. Who doesn’t want to look, feel and even perform at the same level of the professional athletes sporting the UA gear. Yeah – it’s all in my head (or John Q. Public) but it’s a mindset and a great mantra for pushing yourself and your body to a limit that you might not have reached otherwise.

It’s all a mindset – and me wearing Under Armour gives me a rush. Call me crazy. Call me stupid. Call me silly.

It’s not only a piece of motivation to work hard during the moment, but it’s also a subliminal goal for me. My goal is to look like the professionals wearing the UA gear. Who doesn’t want to look like George St. Pierre?! Or how about Eric Ogbogu?? Then there is Lindsey Vonn and a slew of other professional athletes out there that make it look good and look easy.

Yep, I have lofty goals.

A thank you to Kevin Plank for hating cotton fabric!