For years, female athletes have been fighting a silent, unrecognized battle. It’s not against the opposing team, the clock, or their physical limits. It’s against their own uniforms.

We grew up believing that if a jersey didn’t fit, we didn’t fit. If the shorts were too tight or the jersey too boxy, we needed to accept our uniforms as is and be grateful for the opportunity to be there or worse, change our bodies. 

New research confirms what many of us have whispered in locker rooms for decades: the sportswear industry is failing female athletes at the cost of athletes’ physical and mental health.

In this study, Superhera partnered with anthropologists, Katie Rose Hejtmanek of Brooklyn College, CUNY and Cara Ocobock of the University of Notre Dame to better understand how sportswear impacts performance, health, and mentality.

The Data: A Wake-Up Call

Superhera recently collaborated with the University of Notre Dame’s Department of Anthropology to conduct a nationwide study on female athlete performance and well-being. The results confirm what many of us knew and experience:

• 61.7% of athletes simply "make do" with ill-fitting gear - altering it themselves or forcing their bodies into it - rather than finding a better fit. 
• 54.6% of female athletes have considered restricting their diet to better fit their sportswear.
• 39% of female athletes have actually restricted their food intake specifically to fit better into their sportswear. Their current sportswear is failing — making them feel like their only choice is to literally fit into what's been given to them. 

This behavior risks serious health consequences like the Female Athlete Triad, which can lead to increased injury risk and long-term mental and physical health issues. Think about that – poor product fit influences suboptimal performance for almost half of female athletes.

The "Suck It Up" Culture

The study found that "fit" is overwhelmingly the most important feature of sportswear for female athletes, ranking higher than feel, function, or look. Yet, more than a third of athletes feel their current sportswear does not fit correctly.

Instead of demanding better gear, many of us have internalized the failure. When asked what should change for a better fit, a staggering number of respondents blamed their own bodies or mindset rather than the industry or individual article of clothing. We’ve been conditioned to believe that discomfort is just part of the game and we should just “suck it up.” 

The Solution: Systemic Change, Not Body Change

At Superhera, we refuse to accept that the burden of fit should fall on the athlete. You shouldn't have to roll your waistband, cut your sleeves, or skip a meal just to feel comfortable on the field.

We are building the first sportswear company founded on female athlete data, not making smaller versions of men’s gear like legacy brands have done for decades. By collaborating directly with athletes and using predictive fit technology, we design gear that respects the female form in all its power and distinct ability. We optimize for performance, not restrict it.

• We put Fit first: Because 73.5% of you said it’s the most important thing.
• We value Performance: We know you want to be seen as "strong" and "confident.”
• We prioritize your Health: By creating gear that fits, we remove the pressure to restrict fuel, letting you focus on your performance, not your waist size.

Join the Revolution

The era of "sucking it up" is over. It’s time for sportswear that gives you the freedom to perform, highlights what your body can do, and allows you to focus on winning, rather than worry about how restrictive athletic wear looks and feels.

Superhera is here to ensure that the only thing you have to fight is the competition.

Superhera: Freedom to Perform

• Read our Mission 
• Learn more about our Predictive Fit Technology 
• Read the study from Superhera and the University of Notre Dame Department of Anthropology

For press inquiries, please email: press@superhera.co.