THE BENDY BRAND

If you’re part of the pole community then you would of already heard of Bendy Kate and the Bendy Brand. If you’ve not heard of this brand before, then its definetly worth having a look!

Bendy Kate, the founder of the Bendy Brand, is an athlete specialising in pole, acrobatics and aerial skills. The aim of her brand is to produce athletic-wear and training equipment which truly combines style and function.

Above, I’m wearing the Reptile collection which is inspired by the bendiest creature of all! I just love this beautiful snakeskin print and the mix of colours used in these pieces. This set is perfect for a variety of different workouts, as it offers enough support for high impact activities such as pole, gymnastics and running. Both garments also give good coverage; the crop top comes up high at the front (so you don’t fall out) and the shorts have a high waistband which you can fold over. All Bendy Kate clothing is uniquely designed with stretching in mind. These shorts in particular have 4 way stretch to improve mobility. This is my favourite thing about the whole collection. I’ve never come across athletic wear that retain their shape so well. No longer do I have to worry about riding up or slipping out!

As well as the athletic wear, I’ve also been testing out the yoga collection. I’m so pleased with how this equipment has enabled me to get deeper into my stretches more safely. I’ve seen more progression and improvement in my flexibility in the last month than I have done in the last few months! The yoga mat is honestly the best one I’ve ever used; its perfectly cushioned, offers great support and doesn’t slip around. The yoga blocks and straps have been the best tools at helping me maximise my stretching potential whilst keeping a strong safe posture. I also underestimated how much a foam roller would help to increase my flexibility. This roller is particularly good because its small and has firm trigger point mounts to really help you increase your muscle length and relieve tightness.

Having tested these products out for a few weeks its clear to see that Bendy Kate has put a lot of thought into creating them. You can really tell that an athlete has designed these products because every little detail has been thought of. With Christmas just around the corner (YAY!) these are the perfect gifts for anyone who is athletic or into their health and fitness.

Before you stretch

Probably the most important tip of all! You should always ensure you’ve warmed up properly before you stretch. You’re more at risk of causing injury, if your muscles aren’t loosened up. Warming up also raises your muscles’ temperature and ensures that your muscles are well supplied with oxygen. This allows you to reach optimal flexibility and efficiency when stretching or exercising.

When to stretch

One of the best times to stretch is after exercising, as part of your cool-down. This is when your muscles are most warm and pliable, which makes it much easier to stretch and reach new levels of flexibility.

Exercising at the optimum time will help prolong your flexibility. For example, stretching before bed works at a neuromuscular level; the increased muscle length is the last thing your nervous system remembers before going to sleep. Therefore, increasing your flexibility in the long term.

How to stretch

Long hold static stretches are best for improving range of motion and flexibility. Its best to hold each stretch between 15-30 seconds and do each stretch at least twice. Recently I’ve been including a variety of different stretches into my routine. There are so many different stretches you can do for each major muscle group, so its good to mix it up a bit!

Crop top: Bendy Kate
Shorts: Bendy Kate
Yoga Mat: Bendy Kate
Yoga Blocks: Bendy Kate
Yoga Straps: Bendy Kate
Foam Roller: Bendy Kate