Padded Sports Bra

The All-Important Padded Sports Bra

While it seems so obvious as to be not worth discussing, it is crucial to the health of your breasts that you have an adequate bra for exercising. Despite the many good bras available, more than half of active women can experience some pain during exercise, due to inadequate support. Even small-breasted women should wear a quality sports bra to reduce breast movement, because the breasts have so little natural support. When subjected to excessive movement, they can stretch too much, which will eventually lead to sagging. A properly fitted sports bra will reduce movement by at least half. A sports bra with padding is particularly recommended for joggers, because the sensitive nipples are prone to chafing and extra padding can help prevent this, although for a long run, you should also apply Vaseline or zinc oxide tape to the nipples before you set off.

The Ideal Padded Sports Bra

If you are buying a sports bra for the first time, you should fit it in person, rather than order it online. You should go to either a shop that specializes in fitness apparel, or a lingerie shop with professional bra fitters, although not all of these carry sports bras.

Look for a bra that has complete cups to prevent breast movement – you want your breasts to be as static as possible. The effect will be like a bullet bra, but rounded. You also want wide straps, preferably non-elastic to allow for better shoulder movement and prevent chafing. Make sure any fasteners are well-covered or designed to lie over a strip of fabric so that they won’t rub on your skin. Also look for seamless construction, where possible, and moisture-wicking fabrics.

Selecting a Sports Bra

It might surprise you to learn that over 70% of women don’t know their correct bra size. Because exercise can put so much strain on the breast, sizing is crucial. Every time you buy a bra, even if you think your body hasn’t changed, you should measure yourself or have someone help you. You want to be sure to measure your chest and cup size. If you’re having difficulty, a professional will be able to give you an exact measurement.

You also want to gauge your level of activity. Very simply, the more active you will be, the more support you need. A quality padded sports bra will indicate on the tag what level of activity it’s suited for. Remember, even a low-impact exercise like yoga will still require a good sports bra, although you obviously won’t need one that offers as much support as if you were doing high-impact aerobics.

Styles and Fabrics

Racer backs are a very common style of sports bra. In addition to being comfortable, they also offer the best support for larger-breasted women. If you prefer a sports bra that looks more like your regular bra, look for a scoop back, as this still offers good support. Whether they close with hooks and eyes or can be slipped over the head makes little difference in support, but again, you want to be sure the closure is well-covered.

In regards to fabric, look for something with cotton or CoolMax to keep moisture at bay. Try to find something without too much polyester, as it doesn’t allow the skin to breathe enough during a long workout. Blends are usually the best way to go for softness, support and moisture management.

Bra Management

As with regular bras, sports bras with padding last longer when they are hand washed and hung to dry. You should be sure it is clean every time you are going to use it, even if you think you haven’t worked out very hard. And as soon as you notice pilling or a bit of movement, it’s time for a new bra – your breasts are worth it.