#RBKFITBLOG Recap #2

Local FitFluentials - we're practically neighbors 🙂

Let’s get back to business. One thing that couldn’t be more clear about Reebok employees is that while they definitely play hard, they work even harder. Even though one could fill up an entire day between the Crossfit box, outdoor track, weightlifting and cardio rooms with more equipment than many commercial gyms, and plush locker rooms (they even provide towels!) they are just as passionate about their work as they are about fitness.

Formerly employed with NASA. So yes, it really does take rocket science to make great shoes!

When we left off, I had just started to talk about sneakers. As Reebok’s guests of honor for the day, we were provided with Reebok’s best-selling RealFlex Transition and the ZigNano. The first is a fabulous all-around fitness shoe, transitioning with you as you move and groove between activities. I love how light-weight and plush it feels, but still provides ample support. The second is more of a running shoe. I took them for a spin last week and found them to be similarly light and cushy, but with greater support through the sides and more flexibility through the toe, characteristics any runner would appreciate.

Somewhere in the mix there was lunch too. A healthy spread of wraps and salads, and paleo cookies for a sweet treat!

But what I’d really like to focus on is a pair of shoes that I chose to buy (right, two new pairs were not enough!) As a woman who focuses on heavy lifting, I’ve never actually bought a shoe designed for the support. I’ve read a lot about the importance of a flat-soled shoe for moves like squats and deadlifts, but I have simply opted to do those in my socks because I don’t see many lifting shoes designed for women. Reebok has recently come out with a Crossfit shoe for women, the RealFlex CrossFit Nano. These shoes have been designed with a low-to-the-ground base inspired by barefoot technoology, and ample side support and a firm grip, making them a perfect fit for heavy lifts, kettlebell swings, sprints, and all the other things crossfitters do. Guess what? Those are pretty much the same things I do too, just in a slightly different format.

For years, I feel like the selection of athletic shoes has been saturated with running shoes and us non-runners have been ignored. I am so happy to see that Reebok filled this hole. Intrigued, I pulled out my wallet and took home a pair.

The other piece of thoughtfulness that went into designing this shoe was infusing it with U-FORM technology. With this enhancement, Reebok aims to give every consumer the option for a custom fit, something usually reserved for professional athletes who endorse a brand. To activate U-FORM technology, you actually heat up your shoes with a hairdryer, then put them on and let them cool. Here’s why I’ve been waiting to show you a picture!

So how do I feel in my Crossfit shoes? So far, so good. I definitely notice a difference in my barbell split squats and hip thrusters. Because I’m really able to push through the heel closer to the ground, I feel greater activation through my glutes. Win!

After lunch, we were treated to an insider’s look at how a sneaker comes to be, from the R&D stage straight up through prototypes and testing. Ironically, I had seen a news clip a few nights earlier about how Reebok was providing a custom-fit shoe for the world’s tallest man, Igor Vovkovinskiy.  During our tour, we got to see the making of his prototypes, happening right then and there!

Around this time, I started to get lazy with photos plus my phone was starting to die, but our day was not over yet. So I’m going to invite you to watch Sarah’s video, with all the great highlights of the day. Still up on our schedule was a cardio dance class, and let’s just say, you can’t miss me right up front. (And if you know me well enough to know my back, you’ll probably catch me doing pullups in the earlier portion.)

Still lovin’ my Reebok gear back at home!

For more fun pictures and videos from my fellow FitFluential Ambassadors, be sure to check out the FitFluential & Reebok Pinterest board.

A big thank you to Reebok and FitFluential for this fabulous opportunity!

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11 Responses to “#RBKFITBLOG Recap #2”

  1. 1

    Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) — May 23, 2012 @ 7:34 am Reply

    Sounds like an incredibly informative event! I’ve been on the lookout for some better shoes. I need to get to doing my research and check out these shoes! Thanks for sharing this with us Cara!

  2. 2

    NIcole, RD — May 23, 2012 @ 10:57 am Reply

    That class looks like a BLAST!!! Rock on!! What a fun time!

  3. 3

    Alisa — May 23, 2012 @ 11:40 am Reply

    What a fun day! Now I want to work for Reebok 🙂 Seriously, I’ve actually never tried Reebok’s and am thinking I should at least go check them out. My foot is hard to fit (very narrow heel, but not narrow in the forefoot), so I’m always on the lookout for other brands to trial.

  4. 4

    Emily @ A Cambridge Story — May 23, 2012 @ 1:19 pm Reply

    Looks like a blast – I would have been totally uncoordinated during the cardio dance portion!

  5. 5

    Dawn — May 23, 2012 @ 10:25 pm Reply

    I loved that video you sent me. Your pup must be loving all the walks while you test out your new gear.

  6. 6

    Joanne — May 23, 2012 @ 11:12 pm Reply

    Whoa! Very cool. I’ve been wearing my running shoes to my weight lifting classes but I’m not sure they’re that great for that. I’ll have to check these out!

  7. 7

    Kate — May 23, 2012 @ 11:26 pm Reply

    It’s important to work as hard as you play – and you always do!

  8. 8

    RunFasterMommy — May 24, 2012 @ 8:42 am Reply

    I bought the crossfit nano’s too. I love em! Though I’ve yet to activate the uform fitting. Guess I should do that, I bet I’d love them even more! I’ve just been wearing them straight out of the box, to the box… 😉

    • 8.1

      Cara — May 24, 2012 @ 8:57 am

      Yup, I think you will love them! I don’t know about you, but I found them a little stiff right out of the box so forming them helps. Actually, they are still a bit stiff but all in the right places to fit my foot 🙂 So that’s a good thing!

  9. 9

    Caitlin — May 24, 2012 @ 9:03 am Reply

    Oooh how cool that you bought the CrossFit shoes to check out the U-Form! I was wondering how the whole hair-dryer-for-20-min thing would work haha. You’r method seems effective! I love the idea of a shoe for the STRONG woman who’s not just a cardio queen.

  10. 10

    Lindsay — May 24, 2012 @ 11:20 am Reply

    As I work on my post -baby fitness, I’m going to look in to those cross fit nanos! So cool! I do also need a new shoe for my outdoor power walks with my 50lbs of babies and stroller.

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