Sports Bras

Fitting Sports Bras

First of all, know what kind of bra you need. Compression bras hold breasts against the chest to minimize motion. Encapsulation bras support the breast and usually separate. Underwire is also available in some models. Many larger women find a combination of these features to provide the best support.

Bras can be bought for specific activities as well. Low, medium and high impact sports have different needs. High impact, like running or kickboxing, requires the most compression and support, incorporating compression and encapsulation sports bras. Medium impact, like biking or speed walking, can usually be done wearing a compression bra, though some women may prefer an encapsulation. Low impact activities, such as yoga or Pilates, do not require too much extra support.

Tips for the Dressing Room

When trying on bras, whether at home or in the store, keep several things in mind. Going by the fit and not the size can help get the best coverage. In fact, if you find yourself in between sizes, go down a size, not up. This will hold things in place better. Other tricks to try:

• Do short “activities” in the dressing room—jog in place, stretch, do jumping jacks—to see how well the bra holds your breasts up and in place.
• Make sure shoulders stay in place and do not dig.
• Adjust straps and side panels (if available) to get the best idea of fit.
• Ask a sales person for recommendations on the best bra for your activities.
• If you are not sure of your size, ask for a complimentary fitting (most lingerie departments offer these).
• When ordering online, get the bra in two sizes, so you don’t have to wait for a re-order to come in if the fit is not right on a good bra.

While underwire may seem uncomfortable, do not hesitate to try one on, as most are built for comfort during activity. Additionally, look for criss-cross straps, adjustable straps, or side panels to offer additional support.

Fabrics can make a big different in comfort. Mesh paneling will keep skin drier and allow it to breathe. It can also eliminate chafing, a common problem for women in sports. New fabrics have also been developed that whisk away moisture from the skin. Most bras with this technology are clearly marked. These are nice for outdoor activities, or high impact aerobic activities like basketball, tennis, or running. It also helps eliminate breakouts along the bra line.

Replace sports bras every six months to a year. Elastic can wear out, providing less support with each wear. Do not dry bras in high heat, as this can damage some specially treated fabrics (like the breathable ones) and break down elastic.

Recommendations

With all the different brands available, many women do not even know where to start. If you are not near a women’s sports store or lingerie department, ordering online is a good place to start. In fact, many online stores offer customized fits and recommendations.

X-chrom has a specialized fit feature. Customers enter information about themselves and the website suggests sports bras that work for their body type. Rib cage measurement, torso length, amount of restriction needed, and the kind of features a customer is looking for are all factored into the results. This site features quite a few different brands, and will designate the movement restriction for each bra.

Prevention (.pdf file) fitness magazine did testing on several popular brands of bras and ranks them accordingly. A section for larger breasted women and a section for smaller breasted women breaks down their results even further.

Furthermore, the American Council on Exercise did a study on sports bras, rating them on specific features such as comfort, support, and psychological fit. The winners rated highly when worn during aerobic dance, running, and walking activities.