No matter how hardcore your fitness routine is; every woman needs a sports bra that fits correctly. Not only does exercising in the wrong bra lead to discomfort; it also can cause a number of wellness issues, including tension in your arms and shoulders and restricted breathing. So how do you choose the right bra for your wellbeing? Before we discuss varieties and features, ask yourself the following questions:
What Types of Activity are You Going to Wear it For?
Wellness writer Nancy Howard explains, ‘High-impact exercises, such as running, step aerobics or hiking require a different style and support construction than you’d need for low-impact workouts like cycling, yoga or Pilates.’
Will You Be Outdoors or Indoors?
According to Howard, ‘Some women prefer to wear a sports bra without a shirt when exercising indoors. If doing so, look for a bra made of wicking, breathable materials as well as nice detailing.’
Does This Sports Bra Fit Your Individual Body Structure?
‘Choose a bra that fits your body size and shape,’ Howard instructs. ‘Wearing a bra that doesn’t fit for your breast size and/or ribcage measurements may lead to discomfort and chafing.’
Once you’ve answered these questions, you can start thinking about the style of sports bra you’d like:
1. Compression Sports Bras: This is the one piece style that you pull on over your head, and are by far the most popular. Howard notes, ‘This bra compresses both breasts against your chest allowing for minimal or no-bounce movement. These bras are generally a pullover style without fasteners. This style is most suited for women with small to medium sized breasts (A-B cups). These tend to come in general sizes, such as small, medium and large vs. band/cup sizes. Most major manufacturers, including Champion, Moving Comfort, Under Armour, Reebok and Nike, carry a wide variety of compression sports bras from which to choose.’
2. Encapsulated or Natural-Shaping Sports Bras: Howard points out that these bras ‘are best suited for larger breasted women, usually a C-cup or larger. These bras look more like a normal bra with fasteners in the front or back, and may come with or without the underwire. This style encapsulates each breast in an individual cup instead of compressing both breasts together as in the previous example. The encapsulated sports bra is the best choice for larger-breasted women (C-cup and up) or plus sized women. One of the most popular manufacturers of this style is Enell. Their bras have received rave reviews from women who require greater support and control. But other manufacturers, including Moving Comfort and CW-X, also provide a nice selection in these sizes.’
3. Compression/Encapsulation Sports Bras: These bras ‘are a combination of the previous two bras,’ says Howard. ‘They encapsulate each breast and compress the breast tissue against the chest. They can be pulled over the head or closed with fasteners. This style is ideal for women with medium to large breasts, usually C through DD cups.’
Now we’ve got your needs and style sorted, don’t forget to think about the following features:
- Moisture-wicking fabrics, such as Dri-FIT and CoolMax: These ‘pull sweat away from your skin to help keep you cool and dry (and minimize chafing),’ Howard advises.
- Minimal seams or covered seams: This is ‘to prevent chafing and irritation,’ Howard clarifies. ‘Every seam on a sports bra could rub against your skin, so the fewer seams the better.’
- Wide Straps: Howard comments, ‘Many women, especially runners, prefer the popular racerback style since this design allows for greater arm movement and provides greater support. However, a traditional scoop style is a readily available alternative for women who find the razorback style uncomfortable.’
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