SportShield Review

Whether you are new to running or are a seasoned veteran, one thing that can plague us all is chaffing.  I know that this is never a fun topic to discuss, but finding a solution can make the difference between waddling like a penguin after a run and walking normally.  We should first discuss why chaffing occurs.

Chafing is caused by friction — skin rubbing against skin, clothing, or other materials. Skin chafing can be made worse by sweat, which forms salt crystals on the skin increasing friction. This is why people who exercise are more likely to experience skin chafing. Running clothes that are made with materials that don’t breathe well or don’t have sweat-wicking technology can also cause friction and increase the occurrence of chafing, as well as wet or dirty clothing.

  

2Toms is the maker of SportShield, a product that can be useful in the fight against Chaffing.  They have three options, a SportShieldRoll-On, SportShieldfor Her! Roll-On, and SportShieldSingle-Serve Packets.  The idea of Sport Shield is that it creates an invisible barrier that eliminates friction when your skin rubs against skin, clothing, or other materials.    

SportShield is non-greasy and non-toxic.  It is made with Dimethicone (a moisturizer used to treat dry skin), Aloe Vera Extract, and Vitamin E.  SportShield will not rub off, it will not wash away from sweat, and it won’t stain your clothes.  It also does not contain any animal products is fragrance-free and dye-free. 

If you have ever tried Bodyglide, which is probably the most popular anti-chafe product on the market, you know that it is like a hard deodorant stick.  It tends to clump and it can be hard to wash away. Bodyglide will also melt if you leave it in the heat.  SportShield is a liquid that will not clump or melt.  You can’t even tell that it is on (because it goes on so thin).

I wanted to see what the reviews online were saying so I looked at several online running retailers as well as Amazon.  Here is the crazy part.  At Road Runner Sports, out of 18 reviews, only one gave it 4 out of 5 stars.  Everyone else gave it 5 stars.  On Amazon, There were 175 reviews.  86% of the reviews were 5 out of 5 stars.  I have never seen a product reviewed that high on Amazon.  The worst review was that there wasn’t enough of it.  That is the worst complaint… really!!! 

I am a huge fan of SportShield now that I have tried it.  I not only love the roll-on, but the single-serve packets are awesome for a gym bag or keeping in the car (remember, it won’t melt).  It worked on my hardest 2 hour runs and it was pouring rain.  My clothes were soaked and the SportShield was still there, protecting my skin.  I love how it is odor free and washes off in the shower.    This is a must have for my long training runs and races. 

Pros:

Odor free

Convenient no-mess formula

Easy Cleanup - Washes away with soap and water

Inexpensive

Available in roll-on or single-serve packets.

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While there may be anti-chafe products out there that work, nothing that I have tried even comes close to SportShield.  It is inexpensive, works well, and won’t ruin your clothes.  You can pick up the SportShieldRoll-On and SportShieldfor Her! Roll-On for $13 and the 10-packof SportShield Single-Use Packets for $15 on the Medi-Dyne (2Toms) website.  You can also find SportShield on Amazon and at your local retailer (click here for locations).  Blisters and chaffing, you have met your match!

Note:  I received this product in exchange for a review.  The review is my personal opinion of the product and I was not required to give a particular opinion of it.  I am not a doctor, so please use all of the products that I review at your own risk.

Go Raw Review

I have been on a mission to get back to my Ideal Race Weight, which is around 168.  I have lost about 19 pounds and have 5 left to go.  I have been following the Paleo Diet for the most part and it has been great.  While I don’t have quite as much energy as when I eat grain based carbs, it has really helped me drop some weight without feeling hungry all of the time.  I ran across a company that makes snacks that are Paleo so I knew I had to try them out.

 

Go Raw was founded by Robert Freeland.  Robert was working for the Optimum Health Institute when he was 17 years old.  He found that there was a limited amount of choices when it came to raw foods.  In 2002, Robert renovated a small retail space in San Diego and began producing his forst flaxseed crackers.  After a lot of hard work, he started selling at the Ocean Beach Farmer’s Market and his crackers quickly sold out.  One day he got a call from Whole Foods, which agreed to carry his products across the country.  Robert relocated to Mountain View in 2005 into a 4,000 square foot facility with 10 staff members, where he began to develop more products.  Today Go Raw is located in a 65,000 square foot facility with 100 employees.  They make over 40 different products ranging from sprouted seeds, to bars, to crackers and more. 

So, what exactly is a raw food and why should you eat them?  Raw foods are loaded with enzymes that help your body to properly digest food to get the most out of the ingredients.  Most companies cook the nutrients out of their foods.  Raw food is alive (insert tiny screams here).  Go Raw products are gently dehydrated by utilizing a process that maximizes enzymes, nutrition, and flavor. 

Another important thing to understand is the benefit of sprouted seeds.  Go Raw’s products are seed based.  Sprouting “wakes up” the dormant seeds and start the germination process.  That in turn unlocks the seeds dense nutritional value.  Go Raw only uses that best, organic seeds available so you have the best tasting, most nutritious snacks available.  All of their products are gluten free, wheat free, nut free, dairy free and soy free, in addition to being raw, vegan and kosher

I received an assortment of tasty treats from Go Raw.   I received the Raisin Crunch Sprouted Bites, Pumpkin Seed Sprouted Bites, Ginger Snap Sprouted Cookies, Choco Crunch Sprouted Cookies, Zesty Pizza Sprouted Flax Snax, and Sweet Spirulina Sprouted Bar.  I was really excited to test out the Zesty Pizza Snax, but after testing all of the products, the Raisin Crunch turned out to me my favorite.  I am thrilled to find snacks that are not only great tasting, but are really good for you.

The Pizza Snax are flavored with tomato and garlic.  The Ginger Snap Cookies are full of flavor and have a little bit of a bite from the Ginger.  The Choco Cookies are a healthy chocolate treat so you won’t feel guilty after you eat a handful.  The Pumpkin Seed Bites are both salty and sweet, the perfect combination.  The Spirulina energy bar is made with the superfood Spirulina, coconut, and banana. The Raisin Crunch was irresistible though.  I loved the taste of each of the products and can’t try the other Go Raw products.

Pros:

Great tasting

Raw food, better for you

Tree nut and gluten free

Non GMO

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If you are trying to lose weight or even just make healthier decisions, it is really hard to find a decent snack that isn’t full of saturated fat or void of any nutritional value.  Go Raw makes tons of products that taste food and are good for you.  You can buy them on the Go Raw website, online, or at your favorite grocery retailer.  Pick up a bag or bar today.  With Go Raw’s awesome products, you can eat healthy and still enjoy your snacks.

Note:  I received this product in exchange for a review.  The review is my personal opinion of the product and I was not required to give a particular opinion.