Sweaty Bands

Fall is finally here, and we couldn’t be more excited! #SweaterWeather, crunchy leaves, pumpkin everything, but most importantly it's race season! #ItsFallYall For the second year in a row, we are “The Official Headband of the Queen Bee”. If you register for the half-marathon, you will be receiving an exclusive branded Queen Bee half marathon Sweaty Band! Talk about motivation to run a Half-Marathon! We will be at the expo all day Friday Oct. 9th for anyone who would like to stop by! Speaking of the Queen Bee, one of our own Queen B's, Brittany Besl, is running! It will be her first Half Marathon, and she’s here to tell us a little more about how her experience has been leading up to the Queen Bee!

Hi there! I’m Brittany Besl, Sweaty Bands Social Media Manager and Business Development Representative. I've always seen running as a sport where only the best of the best competed. They had to have long lean legs, a killer physique, and well didn’t look anything like me. (Hint: I’m five foot nothing.) So the whole idea of "running" never really crossed my mind. My journey of setting my goal to run a Half Marathon started my first week of working at Sweaty Bands. While working different Half Marathons and Marathons across the country, I had so many people ask me if I had ever ran a race before. I always would say that I wasn't much of a runner and talk about different work out classes that I would attend. Little did I know, anyone is capable of being a runner. I was overwhelmed with every woman’s goals, dreams, and aspirations after I told them I was not much of a runner and how they got started with running. Event after event I started to feel like a cheesy old car sales man, talking about how great Sweaty Bands were to run in even though I still hadn't ran an actual race before. Finally, every customer's stories and goals inspired me to at least sign up for a Half Marathon. I decided on the Queen Bee. One because it was April and the event wasn't until October and two Beyonce, duh. At first, I didn’t tell anyone I signed up for the Queen Bee. I was too nervous to admit that I actually committed to running 13.1 miles (IN A ROW!) when I could barely run 3. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. I grew up playing soccer my entire life, but I felt like I didn’t even really know how to run. That might sound dumb, but I’m serious. I had to reteach myself how to run. Once I told my co-workers, friends, and family a huge weight was lifted from my shoulders. I knew if I wasn’t going to hold myself accountable they would. I highly recommend setting goals, putting them on paper, and sharing them with all your loved ones. This doesn't even have to do with running setting goals and actually putting them on paper can go a long way! I started my training slow and steady. I added a mile each week and it was a totally manageable pace for me. I knew if I increased my mileage too quickly, I’d hate the training and give up and go back to the regular Barre, Cycling, and Pilate’s classes that I was used to. (Don’t get me wrong, it is very important to cross train and find a training plan that works best for you!) After a while there was something about running that was different than other workouts. The sense of accomplishment and pure joy I would get after completing a run was something I was not able to find in other workout classes. The first mile is and probably always will be the hardest for me. Even after my 10 mile run, last Saturday the first mile still sucked. As my running partner once told me, it's all in your head. If you think you can’t do it, you can't. If you think you can, well by golly you can! Plan your schedule out weeks in advance and commit to it! You CAN do it. If you are like me and brand new to running just take it slow and steady, you'll get there eventually! There are plenty of stories from the last couple months I could tell. Maybe, I shed a tear here and there, but what mattered is that I kept trying, and kept working towards my goal that I had so confidently (maybe, idiotically ;)) set. I run because I can. There are so many people who can’t and knowing that I was born to be able to run just keeps me going. Now go grab a running buddy (I know I’m thankful for mine!), hit the pavement, and crush your goals! What are your goals? What keeps you motivated? Thank you to everyone who inspired me to run my first Half Marathon. There are tons of you and you probably have no idea who you are, heck I don’t even know who you are, but you all ROCK! Now, let's hope I finish this thing! :) The Wanna-Bee Queen Bee: Brittany Besl Are you also running a race this fall? We will be at: 9/27: Chicago Half Marathon 10/3: Twin Cities Marathon 10/4: Hot Chocolate Denver 10/10: Queen Bee Half Marathon 10/11: Army 10-Miler and Chicago Marathon 10/17: Baltimore Running Festival 10/18: Detroit Marathon and Rock and Roll St. Louis 10/25: Marine Corps Marathon 10/31: Rock and Roll Philadelphia 11/1: NYC Marathon 11/6-11/7: Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon 11/7-11/8: Rock and Roll Savannah 11/8: Hot Chocolate Chicago and Big Sur Half Marathon 11/12-11/15: Disney Avenger Half Marathon and Rock and Roll Las Vegas 11/15: Hot Chocolate Columbus 11/20-11/22: Philadelphia Marathon 12/5: St. Jude Memphis Marathon 12/13: Hot Chocolate St. Louis Hope to see you getting sweaty during at least one of these races!

A: Awareness Bands We have an entire collection to raise awareness. You can help raise awareness and support a great cause with our Charitable Contribution styles! 15% of every sale goes back to the nonprofit organization listed in each product description. B: Browning Meet Donna and Doug Browning! They are both the heart and soul of Sweaty Bands! It all started when Donna Browning needed a headband that could hold up to her grueling workouts and busy working mom lifestyle—so she made one. Loving her hand-sewn finished product, she realized her headbands had what it took to become a global business—so she made that happen, too. Through late nights sewing in her basement, and weekends spent traveling to eCommerce seminars and fitness expos, Donna built a cult following for Sweaty Bands, and grew the business from a basement operation to the 30,000 square foot warehouse we operate out of today. C: Customization One of the many amazing things about Sweaty Bands is the fact that you can put almost anything you could imagine on a Sweaty Band! Click the link above to get started on your custom band! D: Disney Official Merchandise We are thrilled to be partnered with Disney for all of their races. If you are lucky enough to get to an expo early enough you can buy one of our custom Official Disney bands in their booth! E: Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year After receiving a nomination from numerous outside parties and undergoing rounds of interview, Donna Browning ultimately won her category of Ernst & Young Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year for the Cincinnati Region at the June 2013 Awards Banquet. F: Focused, fierce, fresh, fun. We hold our values near and dear to our hearts at Sweaty Bands. We believe that these values shape strong, passionate, women and strong, passionate women are unstoppable. G: Girls on the Run Girls on the Run is one of many organizations that Sweaty Bands is proud to have a partnership with. Whether it's running a mile or running a board room, girls can run the world if we empower them to follow their dreams. Sweaty Bands is proud to participate in both large and small-scale charitable contribution opportunities, ranging from donating product to local fundraisers to creating custom-designed styles for national philanthropic organizations. Your organization could be the next to benefit from a partnership with Sweaty Bands! H: Hand-sewn All Sweaty Bands are sewn by an old school sewing machine! That's right, each Sweaty Band is hand-sewn by amazing women. Here is one of our in-house sewers, Helen! I: I Spy This vibrant ikat print is the perfect on-trend addition to any outfit. Can you find it? ;) J: Junk in the Trunk Everyone loves a lady with a little junk in the trunk, and everyone loves a Sweaty Band with elephants all over it! K: Key-chains! Not many people know that we make key-chains! If you see a design we don't have and you'd like to have it, we can create a custom key-chain for you! For anything your heart desires, on a key-chain, email customize@sweatybands.com. L: Like us on Facebook! If you haven't already, feel free to "like" us on Facebook and get all of the updates of anything and everything Sweaty Bands! M: Motion of the Ocean This colorful free-flowing print was inspired by the ocean and designed to keep you looking polished...no matter what size of boat you're on. N: Non-slip Performance Headbands "OMG, they don't slip!" We didn't create our motto, our customers did. The velvet lining in our headbands prevent your headband from slipping off during your most strenuous workouts. O: Officially Licensed Product for Real Tree, and Sororities with Affinity Consultants. P: Perspiration into inspiration Whether you are running a marathon or running after your toddlers, Sweaty Bands are the perfect accessory to keep you looking and feeling good, while staying active. Not only are Sweaty Bands designed to stay put on your head during the most strenuous and sweaty circumstances, they also come in over 800 styles to keep you looking fashionable all day long. From your morning yoga class, to afternoon errands, to a late night cocktail, the perfect Sweaty Band will compliment any outfit for any activity. Q: Queen Bee Half Marathon Sweaty Bands is the official headband of the 2015 Queen Bee Half Marathon, so bee sure to gear up in this band before you buzz through the finish line on 10.10.15! Be the Queen Bee of Cincinnati in our exclusive race print! R: Retail Locations We are in nearly 2,800 Retail Locations! Check out the link above to find a store near you! S: Sweat Seriously? Obviously S is going to stand for SWEAT. We believe in sweating at least once a day. Good things come to those who sweat. T: Tell us your story! We love seeing how your Sweaty Band inspires you to sweat every day! Any time you Instagram, Facebook, or Tweet while wearing a Sweaty Band be sure to use #SweatyBands U: USA USA, USA, Sweaty Bands are proudly made in the USA. V: Viva Diva We have to give a shout out to one of our most popular styles, ever. The Viva Diva shines bright like a diamond through even the most intense workouts and late night dance parties. All Viva Divas feature a durable, sparkly ribbon that will stand up to wear and washes without shedding or losing shine, so you can keep sparkling on mile after mile. W: Wow! Magazine Sweaty Bands was featured in The Oprah Magazine 50 things that will make you say WOW! Sweaty Bands was number 27 on this list! Woot, woot! X: X-tra cute: Bowtique Are you looking for that extra weekend sparkle?! We have exactly that in our Chic collection to take you from boot camp to brunch! Y: Yoga Yoga all day, every day! Maybe not all day, but we try to incorporate yoga in our weekly routine here at Sweaty Bands! Z: Zinzinnati, also known as Cincinnati. Sweaty Bands Headquarters is located in Cincinnati, OH. If you are ever in the area feel free to come stop in our warehouse at 621 Wilmer Ave 45226. Our hours are M-TH 9-5 and Friday 9-4! Thanks for reading and see you again next week! Cheers!

Sweating for Two: Pregnancy Workout Tips We’re expecting! Either will do pink or blue! Well, were not all expecting, but our designer, Becca, is and we couldn’t be more excited for her and her growing family! Already a Mom to her sweet girl, Mallory, Becca knows she has to live a healthy lifestyle not just for her, but her for both her youngin’s and husband. When it comes to pregnancy priorities, working out and getting your steps in come in a distant second to kicking up your swollen feet and relaxing. Surprisingly, or maybe not so surprisingly to some of you, exercise helps fight fatigue, ensure a better night’s sleep, and improve your overall experience with your bun in the oven. I’m sure the last thing you want to do while pregnant is look for some exercises that you are allowed to do while pregnant. Take some advice from our mother to be, Becca who discovered totally doable, pregnancy fitness routines that worked for her.

Top 5 Exercises for Pregnancy: 1. Walking 2. Swimming 3. Low-impact aerobics 4. Dancing 5. Yoga Exercise boosts mood, improves sleep, and reduces pregnancy aches and pains. More importantly, it prepares you for childbirth by strengthening your muscles. Again, each individual is different. So, listening to your body is always the best advice any one can give! Educate yourself about the do's and don'ts, and your safety concerns will disappear. More often than not, if it feels wrong (uncomfortable, unsafe, or too challenging), it probably is. Again, listen to your body. Some basic rules that Becca suggests: Don't go breathless (always be able to talk out loud), avoid twisting, and stop doing crunches right away (some people say you can still do crunches up to 20 weeks, but we like to keep it safe). During this pregnancy Becca was able to participate in The All Star Color Run/Walk. Another thing that Becca has found helpful during her pregnancy is her FitBit! There actually is a pregnancy mode on FitBits, how amazing is that!? You can go into your Personal Settings and denote which trimester you are in. FitBit’s pregnancy mode affects your estimated caloric counts and changes the way your tracker process your data! Technology these days, crazy! Becca consistently uses her FitBit to monitor her sleeping patterns. Her FitBit tracks how much she sleeps and how much time she spends awake and/or restless each night. After a poor night of sleep, she can go back through her day and figure out what she did, what she ate, and all the little things in between to make sure her nights are as peaceful as they can be. FitBit can monitor your heart rate, too! This is amazing for pregnant mamas. This allows you to always able to see when your heart rate is in the zone or if you are working out too hard and need to back off a little. Prenatal fitness is becoming more important and visible. No longer is it a sentence for a sedentary lifestyle. That being said, each woman is different when it comes to exercising while pregnant, depending on preexisting conditions, health risks, and exercise history. For all our Sweaty Mamas out there: Did you continue to work out during you pregnancy?! If so, let us know how you were able to keep sweaty!? Check out our Pinterest board Sweaty Mama to get some more tips on staying healthy while prego! *Disclaimer: If pregnant, always consult a physician before starting any exercise program BONUS: If anyone would like to guess boy, girl, how many lbs, or when Becca will have her baby, feel free to comment and we will keep you posted!

Fierce: We believe that strong, passionate women are UNSTOPPABLE!

Fresh: We believe adventures inspire innovation.

Fun: We believe in celebrating the journey.

To embody each and every one of our core values we have had a Work Out Wednesday each week, this past summer. These workouts ranged from Jazzercise, where we couldn’t stop smiling with Wendy Bonomo, to Yoga with Claire Karp who teaches SUP Yoga–we are still beyond jealous–to Bootcamp with Kim Hardewig, when we did sprints outside, and many more amazing instructors who challenged us to do the best. We ended our summer workouts by celebrating the journey of two of our lovely Brides-to-Be’s and hosted a Bridal Pure Barre Shower.

How many of you have been to the same old bridal shower over and over again?

We are far from boring, here at Sweaty Bands, so we participated in a BUTT-KICKING workout class, thanks to Pure Barre Cincinnati-Oakley! We never knew our legs could shake so much!! After our class, we had a champagne toast, the brides opened presents and we hopped from the “Barre to the Bar” next door to keep celebrating!

Just because summer is over doesn’t mean that we will be slacking off on our workouts! For September we are having a water challenge and workout challenge and we encourage you all to participate as well! We will be throwing it back to third grade and be giving a star to every employee who drinks 64 oz. of water or more (including the weekends!) a day. We will giving employees additional stars for every day they sweat during the challenge! Once we get through the end of the month, for every star an employee earns, their name goes into a drawing to win some BOMB prizes!!

We encourage all woman to stick together, inspire and support each other daily. It’s time that we start telling women around us how much they mean to us. We believe that strong, passionate women can do anything they put their mind to!

Now, help us wish our smart, sassy, beautiful Brides-to-Be best of luck in their future endeavors!

Kaley (left), one of our Business Development Representatives, will be getting married on September 12th, in Orlando, FL and will be the future Mrs. Babcock!

Shelby (right), our Events Coordinator, will be getting married on October 24th, in Cincinnati, OH and will be the future Mrs. Baker!

We love you both and wish you lots of happiness, joy and lots of memories!!

Ever wonder if you were a Sweaty Band, what Sweaty Band you would be? Well here's your chance to find out!! Take our Buzzfeed quiz here!!