How to Choose Sports Bras
The most important piece of clothing a woman can wear is a sports
bra. A good-fitting bra will provide support and comfort; a
poor-fitting sports bra will not only be uncomfortable, but can
cause permanent breast tissue damage.
Step 1: Determine Your Activity
Taking your body type into consideration (whether you're small-,
medium- or large-breasted), choose a sports bra designed for either
low-, medium- or high-impact activities.
Low-impact activities include hiking, cycling, weight training and
yoga.
Medium-impact activities include fast walking, skiing and inline
skating.
High-impact activities include running, aerobics and mountain
biking.
Step 2: Types of Sports Bras
Shimmels are tank tops with an integral shelf bra that provides
support for low- or medium-impact activities.
Compression sports bras use the stretch of the fabric for support
and come in two basic options. Scoop-back styles work well for
small- and medium-breasted women during low- or medium-impact
activities. Racer-back styles are more supportive and are for
medium- and high-impact activities.
Encapsulation-style sports bras separate and support to avoid the
"uni-boob" look. They provide larger-breasted women excellent
support for medium- and high-impact activities.
Step 3: Features to Consider
It's smart to equip yourself with several different styles of
sports bras for different activities—some with more support for
high-impact activities, and some less constrictive ones for
low-impact activities. Consider the following features:
Wicking and breathability are important to move moisture away from
your skin and keep you comfortable during aerobic activities. The
more supportive a sports bra is, the less effective it will be at
wicking moisture because of sturdier fabric and construction.
A wide band around the bottom is necessary for high-impact
activities since it provides more support than narrow bands.
Wide shoulder straps provide more support and are less likely to
cut into your shoulders during high-impact activities.
Step 4: Test for Fit
Sports bras should fit tighter than regular bras, but they
shouldn't be uncomfortable. When trying on a sports bra, check the
following things:
There should be no chafing around the armholes, shoulder straps or
seams. If the sports bra has hooks or snaps, make sure those don't
chafe, either.
The straps shouldn't dig into your shoulders.
To make sure you have the right size, raise your hands over your
head. If the elastic band moves up your rib cage, you need a
smaller size.
Test the bra's support by jumping or running in place. You'll be
able to feel whether it's sufficiently supportive or not.
