Sports Bras Fit

So who ever thought that so much consideration would have to go into the fit of your sports bra?  It is true that bras in general require a lot of thought when thinking about style, fit, material, support, breathability, etc., but a sports bra is just to slip on and hold those babies as tight as possible so there is not a jiggling mess when you are participating in sports activities, right?

Wrong.

A sports bra is just as important when it comes to fit as any other bra you might purchase.  It is true that sports bras were originally developed with reducing the motion of your bubbies that is common during exercise.  The breasts are held by weak ligaments that cannot hold them still during strenuous activity and a lot of movement can be painful to a woman so enter the sports bra.  These bras are sturdier and offer up greater support than your average everyday bra and can greatly reduce the risk of injury to the delicate tissues that the breasts are comprised of.

If the breasts are not supported by exercise they what will happen is they will move about freely and often will be jarred by the movement of the body.  No surprisingly, women and especially women with large breasts can find this movement very painful and even an activity with little strain or movement, such as fast walking, can cause issues to arise.  Typically the larger the breast, the heavier it is, the more painful they will be during exercise.  The irony of this is that the larger the breast the harder it is to find a good sports bra.

Athletic bras are tighter and restrict movement more than normal bras.  They are usually made from one piece of fabric with wider strips and a back that covers much more surface area than a bra made of two separate cups and individual straps held together with a narrow band in the back.  The material of athletic bras is stretchy and breathes so the wearer is more comfortable when exercising.  The thicker, wider straps prevent the bra from digging into the neck muscles which is a bonus, but they also serve to distribute the weight of the breasts better than a regular bra.

Sports bras come in many sizes (typically ranging from A to DD cup sizes) and cost anywhere from $12 to $50.  It has been this author's experience that plus size sports bras leave a lot to be desired.  I am not sure if it is the assumption that fat girls do not work out, but the manufacturers do not seem to care if we are in need of a plus size sports bra.  They can be found, but are often useless in their purpose.

The fit of the bra is so very important if you are going to be working out hard core, especially if you are running.  The tighter is not the better...in fact, the tighter the sports bra, the worse it is for your workout.  If the bra is too tight it can restrict the capacity of your lungs which would not allow you to breath in as much or as deep as need be and could slow you down tremendously.  If your sports bra rolls up your abdomen when you put your hands above your head, then it is too tight and you need a larger size.

Get the one that fits you correctly and you can improve your chosen activity by being pain free!

The difference between a sport bra and a regular bra is obviously design and also the type of fabric that is used.  A regular bra is often more fashion forward than a sports bra and while they sometimes "try" to offer support, many fail miserably.  The main purpose of a sports bra is to handle breasts that are in motion and to prevent damage to those breasts.  The fabric also differs on the two types of bras.  The fabric of a regular bra varies greatly from all cotton to silk whereas a sports bra uses fabric that is designed to absorb moisture and breathe more.

There are two main types of sports bras available: the encapsulation type with molded cups and the compression type which restricts the movement of the breasts by flattening them. Encapsulation is widely regarded as the best sports bra for easing the discomfort of movement, plus it does not give you the "uni-boob" look, but some women prefer the compression type because they can be worn as outerwear, without any other garments over the top which equals more air to your sweaty body. That is always nice!  Both types can be considered a shock absorber sports bra.

Follow the instructions on this video in order to choose a sports bra that is right for you!  Remember that a Champion sports bra is a great brand to consider, but I am in no way affiliated with them