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BAMR Bands Review & Giveaway

November 22, 2013 by Heather Hart, ACSM EP, CSCS 55 Comments

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Last Updated on September 27, 2019 by Heather Hart, ACSM EP, CSCS

I have a lot of hair.  “A lot” is actually an understatement; that beast on top of my head has a mind of it’s own.  Ever since I was little, hairdressers would eye my head with trepidation as they instructed my mother that in the future, I would require an hour appointment instead of the usual 30 minutes.  As I got older, the hair only got thicker.   Utterly out of control is the best way to describe it the years I was on prenatal vitamins, and I’ve been able to donate to various organizations, like Locks of Love, three times in the last 7 years.    And I’m not sure if it was years of wearing my hair in ponytails, or the 3 years I spent pretty much all of my free time in the salt water on my surfboard, but I have flyaways that surround my face like nobody’s business.

BAMR hair

Cousin It’s long lost twin?

Needless to say headbands are a lifesaver for me, and pretty much a necessity for any sort of workout I do.

Now onto the next problem: I also have a really big head.  Not just the fact that I’m pretty full of myself, but the circumference of my head is somewhat ridiculous.  In 8th grade science, for some reason we all had to measure the circumference of our heads.  I had the biggest head in the class…even bigger than our teacher Mr. Minelli.   Needless to say, I was made fun of for months about that one (you know how compassionate 12 year olds can be).   POINT BEING: I have a big head, and the majority of dainty little headbands made for female athletes either give me a headache or simply slide right off the back of my head.   So I’m ALWAYS up for trying a new headband on the market, in hopes that  it will do it’s job in keeping my hair out of my eyes without squeezing my skull to the point of a migraine.

Enter: BAMR Bands.

An acronym for “Bad Ass Mother Runner” , this company was founded by mother/athlete Katie Heddleston in January of 2013.  The bands are are 7/8 inch non-slip fitness (and fashion) headbands that Katie makes herself.  Plus, one dollar from every headband purchased goes to the charity, Every Mother Counts – a charity aiming to “end preventable deaths caused by pregnancy and childbirth around the world. Every Mother Counts informs, engages, and mobilizes new audiences to take action to improve the health and well-being of girls and women worldwide.”

So let’s bring this all together:

A handmade product by a fellow running mom: CHECK
A charitable donation for each purchase: CHECK
But do they actually work?  CHECK!

Katie sent me two prints to test out:  Metallic Rainbow Chevron and Silver Glitzy

BAMRbands

who needs jewels when you have headbands like this…

Both patterns are gorgeous.  And flashy,which is exactly how I like my workout gear.   The picture simply does not do the Rainbow Chevron justice; it shimmers in the light just like a rainbow trout.  Or, you know, something even prettier than a fish.   But aesthetics aside, the BAMR Bands actually work for me, praise the running attire gods. 

Katie has sewn a velvet ribbon to the inside of each band that clings to the hair, making them non slip.  Further, an elastic strip on the very back of each band allows them to adjust to fit even my giant noggin.  

BAMRBands2

Velvet ribbon lining and elastic band.

I’ve worn these bands for: long runs, speed work, hashing, lifting, on the elliptical, while doing burpees, and even to the grocery store.   Not only do they stay put, but I don’t even to adjust them.  I call that a win.     And at an average cost of $10 each, they are significantly less expensive than many similar bands sold by larger companies.    And if your fashion sense differs than my motto of “the louder the better”, BAMR Bands offers many other prints, such as argyles, floral, and even solids.  

BAMR 1

Headband modeling while taking your own picture is harder than I imagined.

Katie was awesome enough to offer up a giveaway for one of my readers to win a BAMR band of their very own.  Want to win?  Here’s the deal: the only mandatory entry is to leave a comment below.  Tell me what pattern you would like to win, OR , leave a suggestion to Katie on a pattern or style you would like to see. 

Then of course, you’ve got your extra entries for those who like to go above and beyond. Tweet, like us on facebook, etc etc.  Bonus points for those of you who subscribe to my blog (since the switch to wordpress I’ve lost most of you.)  Use the rafflecopter below.  Contest ends at midnight on 11/30, and winner will be announced the next day (or the next blog post, which ever comes first).  

Good luck! 

giveaway BAMR

Use the rafflecopter below to enter

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

*BAMR Bands provided me with headbands to review, however as always, all opinions stated are honest and my own. 

Heather Hart, ACSM EP, CSCS
Website | + posts

Heather Hart is an ACSM certified Exercise Physiologist, NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), UESCA certified Ultrarunning Coach, RRCA certified Running Coach, co-founder of Hart Strength and Endurance Coaching, and creator of this site, Relentless Forward Commotion.   She is a mom of two teen boys, and has been running and racing distances of 5K to 100+ miles for over a decade.  Heather has been writing and encouraging others to find a love for fitness and movement since 2009.

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Filed Under: Running Gear

About Heather Hart, ACSM EP, CSCS

Heather Hart is an ACSM certified Exercise Physiologist, NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), UESCA certified Ultrarunning Coach, RRCA certified Running Coach, co-founder of Hart Strength and Endurance Coaching, and creator of this site, Relentless Forward Commotion.   She is a mom of two teen boys, and has been running and racing distances of 5K to 100+ miles for over a decade.  Heather has been writing and encouraging others to find a love for fitness and movement since 2009.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. bonnie

    November 22, 2013 at 3:52 pm

    Great giveaway! I like the Oceans Twilight: Turquoise Glitter Band – I have nothing like that. Thanks for sharing the goods! 😀

    Reply
  2. Kerry

    November 22, 2013 at 3:56 pm

    I love the rainbow one you reviewed!

    Reply
  3. Ashley

    November 22, 2013 at 3:56 pm

    I am a sucker for a good headband. Like you I have lots of thick hair and I wear headbands all the time, especially when I run/workout.
    I really like the glitter ones, the silver, gold and turquoise!

    Reply
  4. Lauren S (@BreatheBlog)

    November 22, 2013 at 4:01 pm

    Love the metallic rainbow chevron you are sporting! So pretty!

    Reply
  5. Caitlin

    November 22, 2013 at 4:03 pm

    i would love to see a university of tennessee vols pattern! i see other sports teams but no vols!

    Reply
  6. Lindsay M.

    November 22, 2013 at 4:15 pm

    I love the chevron one! 😀

    Reply
  7. Jennifer Darcy Taddeo

    November 22, 2013 at 4:15 pm

    So cute! In keeping with my nickname, I’d have to go with one of the sparkly ones. 🙂

    Reply
  8. Leah

    November 22, 2013 at 4:31 pm

    I am loving the fuscia glittery one! Sparkles are soo much fun!

    Reply
  9. Alex

    November 22, 2013 at 4:47 pm

    I like the digital camo one!

    Reply
  10. theresa hillery

    November 22, 2013 at 4:49 pm

    I love anything bright and with sparkles!

    Reply
  11. Melanie Flinn (@nutritiouseats)

    November 22, 2013 at 5:09 pm

    Probably the black sparkly one- although the Holiday ones are super cute too

    Reply
  12. Cindy McCloskey

    November 22, 2013 at 5:30 pm

    I love the rainbow chevron colors!!

    Reply
  13. Lizzie H

    November 22, 2013 at 5:36 pm

    The pink chevron is cute…I do love the Grinch one too though!

    Reply
  14. Teresa M.

    November 22, 2013 at 6:13 pm

    I’d like to win the metallic rainbow chevron. Chevron and multicolor=win!

    Reply
  15. Hannah Hawley

    November 22, 2013 at 6:38 pm

    Love the Owl in the Morning

    Reply
  16. Emily Hoffman

    November 22, 2013 at 6:42 pm

    The ex-Army girl in me likes the camo one, but the girly-girl in me likes the owls. A suggestion would maybe be to make reflective bands? I know I put my head down quite a bit while running, and another piece of reflective gear would be great for the head-down running-in-the-dark crowd!

    Reply
    • Heather

      November 22, 2013 at 6:44 pm

      AWESOME idea Emily!

      Reply
    • Katie Anne Heddleston

      November 22, 2013 at 6:56 pm

      I’ve been looking for reflective ribbon for months! I’m not finding anything fun enough yet – but I will keep trying – don’t you worry! THANK YOU for the suggestion!!

      Reply
  17. Carrie H

    November 22, 2013 at 6:43 pm

    I love their sparkles ones but would LOVE a chevron one!!

    Reply
  18. Heather Smith

    November 22, 2013 at 6:50 pm

    I like the watercolor one, the fuscia glitzy, and the plaid one 🙂

    Reply
  19. Katie Anne Heddleston

    November 22, 2013 at 6:56 pm

    Thank you for such a nice write up Heather!! I didn’t even know you had a chronically “big” head 😛

    Reply
  20. grabyourkicks

    November 22, 2013 at 7:17 pm

    These headbands are essential for running and working out! I don’t leave for a workout without one! I love the peacock design, so cute!

    Reply
  21. discotoast

    November 22, 2013 at 3:56 pm

    These are so cute…! I like the black glitzy one. 🙂 Is the rainbow chevron not for sale anymore? Yours looks so cool but I don’t see it on the site!

    Reply
  22. cupcakekelly

    November 22, 2013 at 9:05 pm

    I love the silver glitzy. My hair is so thick every time I get my hair cut they have to thin it for me. And Mr. Minelli, that is an HMMS throwback <3

    Reply
    • Heather

      November 22, 2013 at 9:16 pm

      haha, I’m so glad someone knows who I’m talking about ! 😉

      Reply
  23. Brooke

    November 22, 2013 at 4:06 pm

    anything PINK! The more neon, the better 🙂

    Reply
  24. Maxee Pozin

    November 22, 2013 at 9:42 pm

    Great idea! I love the fuscia glitzy one or would love to see it in neon pink!

    Reply
  25. Nicole Wiwad-Wetsch

    November 22, 2013 at 10:01 pm

    I would love a chevron one!

    Reply
  26. Sheena

    November 22, 2013 at 10:24 pm

    I would love to see more sports team bands! … and I LOVE the peacock pattern!

    Reply
  27. Pam Ott

    November 22, 2013 at 10:31 pm

    These are wonderful! I’d love a silver glitzy one please!!

    Reply
  28. Patrice Chen

    November 22, 2013 at 10:58 pm

    I like anything with purple in it!

    Reply
  29. autigerfan

    November 22, 2013 at 6:02 pm

    Either the Auburn Tigers one or Party Zebra one.

    Reply
  30. Laurie Hale

    November 22, 2013 at 11:47 pm

    I love the glitter band. So girly!!

    Reply
  31. Jennifer @ Teacher in Training

    November 23, 2013 at 12:06 am

    Pretty Peacock

    Reply
  32. Hilary

    November 23, 2013 at 12:17 am

    I’d love one with horses on it so I can wear it to ride in as well. I don’t show so I don’t need to wear a hair net but one of these would be great. Yes I would run in it also.

    Reply
  33. Kelly

    November 23, 2013 at 5:24 am

    I love the black chevron!

    Reply
  34. Lisa

    November 23, 2013 at 12:30 pm

    Silver glitzy is my choice – certainly reflective in its way!

    Reply
  35. Kelly

    November 23, 2013 at 12:56 pm

    I like the Steelers one and the gold glitzy. My hair is thick and gets all over during races. These look strong enough for my head!

    Reply
  36. Heather ODonnell

    November 23, 2013 at 1:41 pm

    I would love the Green Bay Packers one!

    Reply
  37. Amy Cullum- Klimowicz

    November 23, 2013 at 2:08 pm

    Glitzy!!!!! Love to sparkle!

    Reply
  38. mclanek

    November 23, 2013 at 3:52 pm

    I like the all dressed up (black, glitzy) band.

    Reply
  39. Tanya

    November 23, 2013 at 5:20 pm

    I LVOE the multi-colored chevron ones. I’m all about the chevron pattern. 🙂

    Reply
  40. Nicki

    November 23, 2013 at 2:28 pm

    Anything bright & sparkly!

    Reply
  41. beach3519

    November 24, 2013 at 12:21 am

    Mr. Grinch is cute for the season, but I also like the black chevron print.

    Reply
  42. Jade O.

    November 24, 2013 at 4:36 am

    Those are cute head bands!

    Reply
  43. Lani Yearicks (@armytbonegirl)

    November 24, 2013 at 5:13 pm

    I would love either a purple sparkly one or a patriotic one (red, white, & blue)!!

    Reply
  44. The Demure Life

    November 24, 2013 at 6:21 pm

    I’d pick the Holiday Garland Gold Glitzy Band!

    demureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  45. Brenna Kate

    November 24, 2013 at 9:54 pm

    I have not had a lot of success with headbands, but I’m willing to give it a try! Definitely owls 🙂

    Reply
  46. Maryalicia Verdecchia

    November 25, 2013 at 4:06 am

    A rainbow glitter one!

    Reply
  47. Jennifer

    November 25, 2013 at 2:24 pm

    All Dressed Up: Black Glitzy Band

    Reply
  48. heather

    November 25, 2013 at 3:31 pm

    I love the black chevron pattern..so cute

    Reply
  49. Lisa

    November 26, 2013 at 1:54 am

    If I can request a custom made one I would want something Catching Fire related. 🙂

    Reply
  50. Tegan

    November 27, 2013 at 4:34 pm

    I’m totally digging the silver glitz and the black glitz bands.

    Reply
  51. vfreile

    November 27, 2013 at 6:07 pm

    The chevron rainbow band is stunning!!

    Reply
  52. Healthy Running Mom

    November 29, 2013 at 3:40 pm

    Anything chevron I like!

    Reply

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