Do you love to workout? But can’t flex as much as you want because a part of your body can’t stop bouncing? You’re not alone.
Many women experience discomfort or pain during exercise because they use the wrong bra size. It could be discouraging.
Workout doesn’t have to be painful. Here’s everything you need to know when buying a sports bra — from construction, support, comfort to fitting.
What is a sports bra?
Hailey Bieber looking elegant in activewear. Spot her engagement ring.
In case you’re wondering, a sports bra is a bra that supports you and helps keep the breast in position, so they don’t bounce when you exercise.
A good sports bra allows you to focus on your activity and reduces the movement of the breasts during sports. However, an unfit bra can be a pain — which may lead to discomfort, chafing, or soreness.
Thus, it is essential to wear the right fit and size bra when exercising.
Why Is It Important to Wear a Sports Bra?
Everyone has the choice to exercise. But not all women find this choice easy to make because of the discomfort and movement of their breasts during exercise. This is where sports bras come to the rescue! The benefits of sports bras include:
1. Prevents breast tissue damage
Working out in unfit, regular, or low to medium bras can cause strain, soreness, or damage the soft tissues around the breasts. You can wear a good sports bra to prevent such incidents.
2. Reduces breast movement
The breasts can move about 12-18 inches during exercises such as jogging, jumping, and running. While some women feel embarrassed by this movement, it could also lead to breast or back pain.
High-impact sports bra tremendously minimizes breast movement more than everyday bras. A sports bra is a good fit for every woman regardless of her breast size.
3. Enhances posture
You tend to slouch and be distracted during sport when you wear unfit bras, especially if you are bursty. A fit sports bra supports the weight of your breasts and keeps them in position.
What level of support do you need?
Sports bras come in three different levels of support: we have the low, medium, and high impact sports bras. The level of support you require lies in the type of exercise — mild or vigorous and your cup size.
It’d be best to have different sports bras suitable for a range of activities which can also extend their use.
1. High impact activities:
High-intensity workouts, running, aerobics, mountain biking.
High-support sports bras are perfect for D cup size or more for all activities. They feature adjustable straps and have the widest bands. They have a defined cup structure, thus, providing the highest support and comfort.
2. Medium impact activities:
Moderate hiking, skiing, dancing, cycling, jumping rope.
The medium impact sports bras control and limit more breast movement than low-impact bras. They feature wider bands and straps, have separate cups that define breast shape, and compress the breasts to the chest wall.
3. Low impact activities:
Yoga, walking, strength training.
The low-level sports bra is perfect for A/B cup sizes. These sizes are compression bras that hold your breasts firmly to the chest wall. They feature thinner bands, straps, and lighter weight.
How to Choose the Right Sports Bra
Since an ideal sports bra offers support and restricts breasts movement, you’d want to focus on the proper fit when buying a sports bra.
You may have to try different brands and styles when shopping for a sports bra.
Flex a bit around to know how comfortable and firm they are before purchasing.
Here are what to look out for when buying a sports bra:
1. Size
Consider what bra size is best for you. If, however, you’re shopping for a sports bra for the first time, go with your regular bra size.
2. Straps
Physical activity requires you to be in motion. You’d want to go with padded straps at least one inch wide to avoid slipping off your shoulders while you workout.
Sports bras with padded straps give additional support, comfort, and help alleviate the weight off the shoulders.
3. Cups
You’d want to ensure that the bra cups encapsulate your breasts to avoid bulging at the sides or top. Also, select cups that are smooth and will not irritate your nipples.
4. Band
The wider the band, the better. Always go for wide bands made of impressive elastic material. Note that larger cup sizes should match wider bands.
5. Underwire
While there are non-wired sports bras with soft cups, there are also underwired sports bras. If your preference is an underwired sports bra, choose bras with an invisible or flat underwire to avoid wires digging in when in motion.
6. Material
Can’t you exercise without breaking a sweat? No? Think of all the sweat sticking to your body. It’d be best to pick a sports bra made of breathable fabrics like those of synthetic fibers to help take the moisture away while you remain fresh.
The ideal material should be lightweight, smooth, and soft fabric to ensure comfort and easy movement. Isn’t that the idea? You can’t flex like a ninja in restricted materials.
7. Comfort
Pick what offers the most comfort. Ensure that the hooks and closures are enclosed or covered with fabric.
You should apply petroleum jelly to places susceptible to chaffing if you have sensitive skin.
Signs That Your Sports Bra May Need Changing
Your sports bra needs a change when:
- It becomes too tight.
- It hangs loosely, or the band slackens.
- There’s wear and tear on the sports bra fabric.
- Straps become inelastic and stretched, thus slipping off.
- Tight straps dig into your shoulder.
How to Take Care of Your Sports Bras
Do you want to get the best out of your sports bras? Do these:
- Wear different sports bras for various activities to last longer.
- Wash immediately after a workout.
- Don’t bunch wet workout clothes in your gym bag. Air them to prevent odor and bacterial growth.
- Avoid the use of bleach and hot water.
- Always adhere to the washing instructions on the product tag because synthetic fibers can damage quickly.
- Mesh sports bras in a laundry bag to avoid getting them twisted with your other clothes.
- Air-dry your sports bras to protect their shape and fit.
Bottom Line
No more distraction, as you exercise and jump as high as you want without feeling discomfort or embarrassment.
Now, you know what type of sports bra to wear for a particular exercise and what to look out for when shopping for a sports bra.
Do you have a favorite brand? Or an experience you’d like to share? Shoot us with your comments.
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