HBF training app

If you're thinking about competing in the HBF Run for a Reason or are just looking to start running for the first time download the free HBF Run for a Reason app to use on your iPhone or Android mobile.

Including training guides, health calculations and recipe ideas, you can also map your training and find out everything you need to know about the event. This clever gizmo can also give you regular alerts so you can monitor your progress and can even play music at the same time.

Sustainable Drinking

I am sure you’ve seen packaging marked as BPA-free. But do you know what a BPA is and why it matters?

BPA, or bisphenol A, is an organic compound often found in plastic. The Food and Drug Administration in the USA released a report in 2010 questioning the safety of BPA’s use in food packaging and in September Canada became the first country to declare BPA a toxic substance.

Here’s what Kor Water have to say about BPA:

Bisphenol-A, also known as BPA, is a chemical that is commonly used to make polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Polycarbonate is the most common type of plastic used in clear water bottles. BPA has been linked to a variety of health issues, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and early onset of puberty. The longer a liquid sits in a container made with BPA, the more of it leaches into that liquid. The hotter the liquid and the older the container, the faster this leaching occurs. 

The controversy over BPA has escalated in recent years as more scientific data has accumulated. While government agencies such as the National Toxicology Program (NTP) and the Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction (CERHR) have called for a ban on BPA, the Food and Drug Administration believes these measures are premature and that more research is required. 

As a company, we place the utmost priority on the health safety of our products. While there is still debate over the health impact of BPA, we didn't want to leave anything to chance. That's why none of our products contain BPA. 

Want to go BPA-free? You can get a Kor bottle from any Sports Fever store.

Are you Wearing the Wrong Bra?

A new study* has shown we’ve been underestimating the number of women who wear the wrong bra. The new research shows 85% of Australian women wearing the wrong bra size compared to the 70% initially reported.

Wearing the wrong bra can be uncomfortable but wearing the wrong bra while running or exercising can cause damage to breast tissue, pain and even inhibit your ability to participate in physical activity.

Researcher Dr Deirdre McGhee from the University of Wollongong in New South Wales says this need not be a barrier as all women can be physically active irrespective of breast size, but must learn how to fit themselves correctly.

“Research has found that a correctly fitting, supportive bra can alleviate up to 85% of pain symptoms, allowing women to exercise in greater comfort, possibly removing the need for breast reduction surgery,” Dr McGhee says.

“As only a small number of people use professional fitting services, all women need to be educated about bra fitting criteria to improve their bra fit. They need to learn professional fitting criteria so they can tell if the cup, the band and the underwire fits.

“By women being able to fit their own bras correctly by themselves, this will assist with the promotion of physical activity and prevent the development or progression of musculoskeletal disorders associated with poor bra fit,” said Dr McGhee.

Need a new sports bra or want to make sure you're wearing the right size? Pop into your nearest Sports Fever store and we'd be more than happy to help. We carry a large range of sports bras from the Moving Comfort range.

* The study was based on 104 women with an average age of 43 and an average bra size of 12DD and featured in the November 2010 issue of The Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport (JSAMS), published by Sports Medicine Australia. 

The Importance of Lacing

So you know it is important you buy the right type of shoes for your feet, but did you know how important it is to lace them up properly? Everybody’s foot type is so different whether you foot is narrow or wide, has a high instep or narrow heel the lacing on your shoe needs to be different.

Here at Sports Fever we do not recommend elastic laces, unless you are wearing them in rare specific shoes (ask us when you make a purchase). Elastic laces will not hold the foot in the shoe and offer the support the shoe is built for, this is even more so for orthotic wearers.

Always lace and unlace your shoes when taking them off or putting them on, not only will this help with the wear and tear of the shoes but ensure you’re getting the best fit because your foot is being properly held (and it’s nice to be held).

If you’re not sure you are lacing your shoe properly, pop in to your local Sports Fever store and ask us for help – that’s what we are here for! If you buy a new shoe from us, our staff will show you how to lace it properly to suit your foot.