- Ex-Nike VP Stefan Olander recently founded Omorpho, a weighted activewear startup.
- Omorpho says its weighted clothes can increase speed and strength and help burn more calories.
- I tried on Omorpho's products during a run and high intensity interval training workout.
- The clothes added resistance to my run by slowing me down slightly, but I could still move easily.
On November 10, former Nike vice president Stefan Olander announced the launch of Omorpho, a weighted activewear brand.
Omorpho places small weighted beads evenly across leggings, tank tops, crop tops, and shorts to allow for full movement.
The company aims to break into the already crowded activewear market. Though major players like Lululemon and Nike have dominated, newcomers are making waves, like Target's All in Motion brand that saw $1 billion in sales in one year. Global Industry Analysts estimates the value of the industry to hit $221 billion by 2026.
I tried out Omorpho's new wares to see how it fits into the activewear market. Here's what it was like wearing weighted workout clothes designed by a former Nike exec:
Omorpho's weighted activewear felt surprisingly lightweight and breathable
Omorpho sent me two items: leggings and a tank top, both weighing about 1 pound each. The company recommends using the tank for core movement exercises, like indoor cycling and yoga, and the leggings for running and hiking.
Per Omorpho's website, the weighted clothes help athletes move like they normally would while increasing strength. The items can also help overall fitness by burning more calories during runs, pilates, hikes, and more.
The company has other products, including biker shorts, crop tops, and long-sleeved shirts. Their heaviest item is the vest, which weighs 5 pounds for women and 10 pounds for men.
Omorpho's clothes were surprisingly difficult to get on, and I assumed I had ordered a size too small. But when I got them on and moved around, I realized the fabric is elastic and rubber-like — and surprisingly lightweight and breathable for clothes that add two extra pounds on me.
I started my workout stretching and massaging my muscles using a foam roller. I remained shocked at how easily I was able to move in the leggings. There wasn't any fabric scrunching at my knees or stomach, and I got a good compression with the foam roller. I remember feeling like I wasn't wearing any clothes, let alone weighted ones.
I ran at a slightly slower pace in the weighted clothes, but couldn't feel the difference during high intensity interval training
After warming up, I moved to a treadmill to go for a run. I couldn't feel the heaviness of the fabric so far, but I started to feel resistance and noticed myself jogging at a slightly slower pace than I was used to.
The clothes added a fun challenge: I had to work slightly harder to run at my usual pace, but I didn't feel like the clothes got me exhausted too quickly.
After running, I moved into high intensity interval training (HIIT) circuits using light weights. I have been strength training with heavy weights recently, but Omorpho recommends using the weighted clothing for runs, yoga, pilates, or other cardio-based movements over slow, low-repetition weight lifting.
Though I got some stares for my funky gym clothes, I overall enjoyed my experience wearing Omorpho
As I walked around my gym, I did get some stares. The weighted beads on Omorpho's products blend in surprisingly well, but the beads on my lighter colored tank top were a bit more noticeable than on the leggings.
At this point I started to realize my tank top may have either been a size too small, or I wasn't adjusting to it like the leggings because the fabric began scrunching around my waist.
I barely felt any different doing HIIT movements with weighted clothing. Jumping jacks, planks, rows, squats, wall sits, and other movements felt natural and completely unhindered by the weighted clothing.
After my workout, I noticed myself sweating a bit more than usual. Overall, I found the clothes comfortable and lightweight, especially the leggings.
I felt the most resistance during jogging over other movements, so I would recommend the clothes for runners who are looking for a challenge. But I don't know if the weight on the clothes was heavy enough to make a difference on other movements.