Sport Bras

About 50 percent of women report some pain or discomfort in their breasts during exercise. This varies considerably in intensity and may depend on what they are wearing. In an Australian study 3 women (17–21, cup sizes B and C) were photographed exercising bare breasted, again wearing two different bra models, and a fourth time wearing a specific sports bra. As expected, breast motion was reduced by bras, and the sports bra was the most effective. The women reported less discomfort with bras and especially with the sports bra. However not all sports bras are created equally and a woman should be properly fitted.

The best sports bra is one that enables you to lead an active lifestyle in comfort and with minimal chance of injury. Whatever your cup size, you need good support so you can focus on your sport.



The Basics of Sports Bras

Your chest includes suspensory ligaments known as Cooper's ligaments. These ligaments hold breasts up and give them their shape and size. Once stretched, Cooper's ligaments do not recoil to their
original position. Sports bras protect the anatomy of a breast by reducing stretching and stress on the breast tissue.

If you participate in many different activities, it's smart to equip yourself with several different styles of sports bras, depending on what type of sport activities you are engaged in—ones with more support for high-impact activities and some less constrictive ones for low-impact activities.

When shopping, consider the following bra features:

The band around the bottom is the foundation of a bra. It provides much of a bra's support. Wide bands are more supportive than narrow bands.

Shoulder straps hold up the cups but are not the main support of the bra. They should provide minimal stretch to reduce up-and-down movement. Wide straps better disperse the weight and offer greater comfort than narrow ones. Straps should not slip off or press into your shoulders during high-impact activities. Adjustable straps allow you to customize the fit.

Underwire is a metal or plastic reinforcing material that runs along the bottom of the cup. It is usually flexible and moves with your body to help prevent injuries. An underwire provides extra support and shape to any bra.

Wicking fabrics move moisture away from your skin and keep you comfortable. The more supportive a sports bra is, the less effective it will be at wicking away moisture because of its sturdier fabric and construction.

Consider Your Impact Level:

Low-impact
-walking
-road cycling
-weight training
-yoga

Medium-impact
-moderate hiking
-skiing
-inline skating

High-impact
-running
-aerobics
-mountain biking

What's Your Sports Bra Type?

Compression bras are best for A and B cups. They compress the breasts against the chest wall to restrict movement. Compression bras come in 2 basic styles: Scoop-back styles work well for women during low- or medium-impact activities. Racer-back styles are more supportive and are better for medium- and high-impact activities. Thin spaghetti straps provide less support than wider straps.

Encapsulation bras features a design similar to that of an everyday bra, the cut lines create individual cups to surround and support each breast separately. They use individual cups to surround and support each breast separately.They are best for D and DD cups and for high-impact sports.

Combination bras are best option for runners and those with larger cup sizes(size C and D), this style combines Encapsulated cups with the look and firm hold of a Compression bra, for maximum support, comfort and shape.

Bra fitting guide

Just like an everyday bra, you need to check the fit of your sports bra in order to ensure it offers the best possible support and performance. Here are a few key points to keep in mind when trying on a sports bra for the first time.

1. It should have a secure, firm fit around the rib cage, with the underband sitting comfortably under the bust.
2. Each breast should be fully enclosed within the cup, with no spillage at the top or sides.
3. The bra should fit snugly around the chest and underarms, without digging into the skin.
4. Shoulder straps should be adjusted as necessary to improve comfort and support.

Find Your Sports Bra Size

Surprisingly, it's estimated that 3 out of every 4 women wear an ill-fitting bra. No fitting system is foolproof, but the steps below are considered by industry experts to be the best way to find your size.

Step 1: Band size. With your shirt off, measure around your rib cage, just under your breasts, at or just below the band of the everyday (lingerie) bra you are wearing. The tape measure shold be snug but not interfere with normal breathing. Take this rib cage measurement, add 5" and round up to the nearest even number. For rib cage measurements 33" or higher, add 3" and round up to the nearest even number. This is your band size.

Step 2: Bust size. Measure loosely around your bust at the fullest part. Be sure the tape stays straight across your back. Round up to the nearest whole number.

Step 3: Cup size. Subtract your band size (step 1) from your bust measurement (step 2). Use the resulting number to determine your cup size as follows:

Difference 1" 2" 3" 4" 5"
Cup size A B C D DD

Now, let's put it all together. For example, let's say:

Your rib cage measurement is 28". Add 5" and round up to the next whole number. Your band size is 34".Your bust measurement is 35.5". Round up to the nearest whole number: 36".Subtract 34 from 36. The 2" difference means you should wear a B cup.

Lets also assume you are a regular trail runner. This is a high-impact activity.

Result: You should shop for a size 36B combination style of sports bra.

Sports Bra Care

Most sports bras last about 6 to 12 months. To maximize the lifespan of your bra, always hang dry it rather than use a machine dryer. While most sports bras are machine washable (in gentle cycle), this does tend to shorten its functional life. Hand wash if possible and always avoid using fabric softeners which can inhibit the moisture-wicking properties of the fabric. It's also best to fasten the hooks before putting your bra into a washer.

Signs that your sports bra is near the end of its useful days:

The fit seems too loose or big.
Vertical (up and down) movement has increased.
The fabric is pilling.
You can't read the care label anymore.