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How to Buy Women's Sports & Fitness Equipment All eyes were glued to the podium. You could have heard a pin drop in the
standing room only crowd that filled the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York
City for the Women's Sports & Fitness Champions Awards.
Accomplished women like basketball star Cynthia Cooper of the Houston Comets, middleweight boxer Laila Ali (boxing great Mohammad's daughter), and Women's US Soccer sensation Mia Hamm took turns at the podium graciously accepting awards celebrating athletes whose achievements inspire us and whose impact goes beyond the world of women's sports. Each gave credit to those who encouraged them to play sports, and for being strong enough to believe in themselves. Some gave homage to their forbearers as Mia said, "We appreciate the active athletic women who came before us, you have set the stage for the champions we have become." Glancing around the room I noticed dozens of presenters and mutual admirers including Goldie Hawn, Chevy Chase, Gabrielle Reece, Tyra Banks and Katie Couric who resonated with these words. Now, more than ever, women are participating and succeeding in challenging sports, adventure and recreational activities to enhance their lives. While the buzz of achievements of women in sports is remarkable and very encouraging, those who design and manufacture sports equipment haven't considered the inherent physiological differences between men and women. Contrary to popular belief, one size does not fit all. Imagine the enhanced performance that women can claim were their specific needs addressed. Why should you care especially since you may not be a competitive athlete? Because as more woman are attracted to participate in sports and recreational activities, they will demand better performance and manufactures will take heed to meet the demand of this growing market. There is some encouraging news. Nike, Adidas, Avia and other large manufactures have begun to invest significant funds, research, and design towards women's shoes and clothing. Remember the famous sports bra so many of us witnessed as Brandi Chastain tore off her soccer jersey upon winning the Women's World Cup playoffs? It wasn't until recently that the notion of wearing a sports bra became a mainstream concept. Manufacturers immediately launched several variations of their own sports bras following Brandi's centerfield exhibition. This is one a perfect example of how technology can enhance our game. Carrie Fletcher, President of SheGear in New Jersey says. "Unfortunately, smaller sports like hiking, biking, and climbing gear for women need more funding and research." Carrie's company has spent several years advising sports manufactures and testing women's recreational equipment for performance, fit, comfort, and safety. Women's hiking shoes became a personal concern for me when my casual hike in Red Rock Canyon outside Las Vegas became a competitive but friendly climb. A suitable pair of (Women's) climbing shoes would surely have helped me win my race. Carrie suggested I contact a company called "Five Ten" for climbing shoes. Five Ten has designed a climbing shoe for women's feet which typically have a narrow heel, high arch, and is smaller than a man's foot. Five Ten's climbing shoe is called the Diamond and costs about $140.00. To explore this issue further, I decided to check into other sports equipment designers. Was mountain biking champion Missy Giove's bike designed for a woman? I spoke to Susan DiBiase professional cyclist and president of the Buying Women's Sports & Fitness Equipment Toyota Mountain biking team to inquire about the design of bikes. Susan explained, men carry more weight in their upper bodies so they only need to lean forward to keep the front tire on the ground during an assent. This is more difficult for a woman because of our lower center of gravity. The same goes for snowboards, ladies. However, I was assured that Missy's Mountain bike was specifically designed to meet her competitive needs. I was also pleased to find out that my Diamondback hybrid bike is designed for women. Carrie, from SheGear, also suggests, If you're in the market for a new bike and intend to really put some miles on it, a Trek 6000 which has a specifically designed women's bike frame is a good bet. If you’re like me and you don't ride enough to invest in a new bike, take your bike to your local bike shop to have it checked for proper fit and comfort. Many times just a small adjustment in your seat, tire, or handles can make a difference in your comfort. The good news is, technology is working to make exercise easier and more enjoyable for women everywhere. I'm looking forward to all the great innovations that are no doubt in store for us in the years ahead. Hopefully, the technology will never overshadow the athletes and sport itself. I felt quite certain at the Women's Sports & Fitness Champions awards that the audience was inspired by these champion's athletic abilities, as well as the spectacular human beings they inspire us to become. [] 
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