Bras are some of the uncomfortable inventions of humankind, but there’s no denying their use. Sports bras, particularly, are very helpful at providing support and preventing pain for women when doing physical activities—that is, if you get the right one.
Finding the perfect fit is more than just getting the correct size. You also need to consider the activity level of your workout and the construction of the bra. If you’re having a tough time choosing the right one for you, these tips can help.
Match Your Bra to the Activity Level
Sports bras provide more support than your everyday bra does, but they also offer varying levels of support. When choosing one, consider the activity level of your workout.
For example, walking and yoga are low-impact activities, so you want a bra that offers the same level of support. For medium-impact activities, like road cycling and easy jogging, you also want a bra that offers medium support.
High-intensity exercise, like running and boxing, will need the highest level of support to prevent breast pain and soft-tissue damage. It’s better to have several sports bras with different levels of support if you engage in varied activities.
Injuries can happen when you’re working out or playing a sport. Wearing the right bra can keep that from happening and make you perform at your best too. Another thing that can help with that is a kinesiology tape, also known as an athletic tape. Wearing one helps improve circulation, preventing muscle pain and alleviating aches and sores.
Know and Understand Sports Bra Construction
There are three types of sports bra construction: encapsulation, compression, and compression-encapsulation. Choosing the right construction depends on the level of the activity you’re engaging in.
Encapsulation sports bras are best for low-impact activities as they use individual cups but no compression to support your breasts. Compression sports bras press your breasts against the chest wall to provide more support, making the bra suitable for medium-impact exercises.
The last construction type uses both encapsulation and compression, thus providing the most support for high-intensity activities.
Get Your Measurements
After considering your activity level, the next step is getting the exact measurements of your bust, ribcage, and cup. No matter how excellent the sports bra is, it won’t provide the right support or be comfortable to wear if the fit is wrong. The fit, therefore, is an important factor in choosing the perfect sports bra.
An ill-fitting sports bra can cause pain and tenderness on your breasts. Wearing the wrong bra for a long time may even lead to injury. Although a sports bra is meant to be a little bit tighter than a regular bra, it shouldn’t interfere with your breathing, constrict your movement, or feel painful to wear. Here’s a helpful guide for getting your sports-bra measurement.
Find the Perfect Fit
Knowing your measurements and activity level isn’t always enough information to determine whether the item you have is the one you need or not. However, it helps to keep in mind what a good sports bra fit is like.
It shouldn’t make your skin chafe, and the straps must not be too tight. You should be able to fit two fingers between the straps and your shoulders, but you don’t want it to be too loose. If the band rides up when you raise your arms over your head, the bra is too big for you. If you can’t breathe normally with the sports bra on, it’s too small for you.
You’ll know immediately if the cup is wrong for you. Too small, and your breast will be spilling out of the bra. Too big, and the bra will feel loose and less secure.
As for the level of support, the only way to determine it is to wear the bra and test it by jumping, jogging, or running in place. There should be little side-to-side and up-and-down movement when you’re wearing the bra. With the perfect sports bra, you should feel comfortable, secure, and supported whatever workout you’re doing.
Alright friends, I hope you found this post helpful! Let me know if you have any other questions about finding your perfect sports bra and browse more health/fitness related posts here. Until next time – sending so much love from the DMV!