I have had a ton of questions come at me about sports bras. What is the best kind? What do I need to look for? Where can I find a good one? Luckily, I was the running bra expert at a local specialty running store in West Hartford, so the questions came to the right place! Here is what I believe are the most important aspects when trying to find the proper equipment to support the “girls”......
1.Measure Up!!
So many women are wearing something that is not true to their actual size. Don’t be shy, go and get a good measurement to find out your true band and cup size. Trust me, once you are in the proper size, getting a comfy and supportive sports bra will make your workouts that much better. Most people are unaware the band is actually where you get the support from, not the straps. You aren’t going to work out in shoes that are not comfortable, so why would you workout in a bra that is not?
2. Wire vs. No Wire
There are several companies that offer a variety of sports bras. If you are in a small A-B cup size, an over the head compression bra should be supportive enough. However, when you venture into the high B, C and D sizes, you may want to think about a sports bra that has molded cups and possibly clasps in the back. My favorite of this type of running bra is made by a company called Moving Comfort. The Fiona, is a sports/running bra that clasps in the back, has velcro adjustable straps, and no underwire. It is super supportive and comfortable, with breathable synthetic fabric that wicks away moisture. Champion also makes some really good running/sports bras that are good for a variety of sizes.
3. If you are planning on working hard, avoided that natural fibers
Cotton, however soft and breathable, will absorb sweat, leaving you feeling extra hot and extra uncomfortable (can cause chaffing). Choose fabrics that do not contain cotton when buying any type of athletic gear (this includes socks too). The best synthetic fibers that are breathable and moisture wicking are polyester or spandex. You will see labels like “Duo Dry” or “Cool Max”, that signify their wick away technology.
4. Jump Around
The best way to test if a sports bra is going to be supportive enough for your activity is to test it out. Do some jacks, run in place, and hop around while in the dressing room. There should be little to no movement going on if you are being supported properly. If you are in a larger cup size, you may experience a small bit of movement, however, this movement should not continue well after you have stopped! Let’s face it, it neither looks nor feels comfortable when “the girls” are not staying in place. It is also harmful to the breast tissue, causing micro-tears if there is too much bounce.
Following these steps will help you find what kind of sports bra is going to work best for you. Remember, you have to test it out to see if it works. My suggestion is to check out stores like Fleet Feet Sports in West Hartford, or any Dicks sporting goods. You get what you pay for, and in this case, you want to make sure you are getting quality that will keep you and your “ladies” happy.
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~Coach Nicole
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