SPORTS BRA 101:
5 Tips to Find The Best Workout Bra For You
Sports bras are a necessity for every active woman. Finding the right sports bra that listens to you and your body is crucial not only for your comfort, but also for your well-being and performance. Many women think that all sports bras are created equal, but the truth is that no two sports bras are the same.
In this comprehensive guide, you'll learn about how sports bras can impact your breast health and be equipped with the best sports bra buying tips. That way you ensure that you get the right level of support when you hit the field.
SPORTS BRA 101:
5 Tips to Find The Best Workout Bra For You
Sports bras are a necessity for every active woman. Finding the right sports bra that listens to you and your body is crucial not only for your comfort, but also for your well-being and performance. Many women think that all sports bras are created equal, but the truth is that no two sports bras are the same.
In this comprehensive guide, you'll learn about how sports bras can impact your breast health and be equipped with the best sports bra buying tips. That way you ensure that you get the right level of support when you hit the field.
1. A good underband is a good foundation for a sports bra.
If you have ever wondered why your breasts bounce when you run, jog or play sports for that matter, it's because your breasts are not being fully supported by the underband of your bra. The underband is the flat elastic that goes around your back and is the main source of support from your sports bra. If you're wearing an under band size that is too big for you, then the elastic will not be firm enough to keep you in place during exercise.
As a general rule of thumb, a good sports bra underband should not be able to stretch or be able to be pulled out more than 5 centimeters. It should sit comfortably without digging into the side so you can breathe comfortably as you exercise.
Having trouble choosing the right sports bra for you? Take our bra quiz to find the right support for your active lifestyle.
1. A good underband is a good foundation for a sports bra.
If you have ever wondered why your breasts bounce when you run, jog or play sports for that matter, it's because your breasts are not being fully supported by the underband of your bra. The underband is the flat elastic that goes around your back and is the main source of support from your sports bra. If you're wearing an under band size that is too big for you, then the elastic will not be firm enough to keep you in place during exercise.
As a general rule of thumb, a good sports bra underband should not be able to stretch or be able to be pulled out more than 5 centimeters. It should sit comfortably without digging into the side so you can breathe comfortably as you exercise.
Having trouble choosing the right sports bra for you? Take our bra quiz to find the right support for your active lifestyle.
2. Always check your cups.
Sports bras need to be snug in the cup area as well as in the band and straps areas. If your breast tissue spills out of the sides or top of the cups, your bra doesn’t fit you properly and will not provide maximum support for performance. This could also cause discomfort when you move, which can be especially distracting when competing in sports.
Find your cup size the same way you would for a regular bra. First find your bust size. Using a measuring tape, measure the fullest part of your bust, keeping the tape parallel to the floor. Round it up to the nearest inch. Second, find your band size by measuring your rib cage. Round it to the nearest inch too. Subtract band size from the bust size to find your cup size. Example, 36” - 34” = 2” = B = 34B. Find your sports bra size.
2. Always check your cups.
Sports bras need to be snug in the cup area as well as in the band and straps areas. If your breast tissue spills out of the sides or top of the cups, your bra doesn’t fit you properly and will not provide maximum support for performance. This could also cause discomfort when you move, which can be especially distracting when competing in sports.
Find your cup size the same way you would for a regular bra. First find your bust size. Using a measuring tape, measure the fullest part of your bust, keeping the tape parallel to the floor. Round it up to the nearest inch. Second, find your band size by measuring your rib cage. Round it to the nearest inch too. Subtract band size from the bust size to find your cup size. Example, 36” - 34” = 2” = B = 34B. Find your sports bra size.
3. Check to see that your sports bra is in place during activities.
Many women have trouble with their bands riding up because they are using an old sports bra. Sport bras have elastic in them that can lose its elasticity over time making it no longer as supportive as when you first bought it.
A good sports bra will allow you to move but keep everything in place. When trying on a sports bra, jump up and down and move around in it. If the underband does not stay level around your body, it could be too big for you. If you find yourself tightening the straps to keep the bra in place, it is too big for you as well. It’s important to see how the sports bra works with your movements.
Use a sports bra for the right activity level for added comfort – you wouldn’t want a high-impact sports bra for a less intense sports like yoga. While it might keep everything in place, it might also make it difficult for you to take deeper breaths, typical for yoga. Same for intense sports like running. Using a high-impact sports bra with thick, adjustable straps helps to provide maximum support.
3. Check to see that your sports bra is in place during activities.
Many women have trouble with their bands riding up because they are using an old sports bra. Sport bras have elastic in them that can lose its elasticity over time making it no longer as supportive as when you first bought it.
A good sports bra will allow you to move but keep everything in place. When trying on a sports bra, jump up and down and move around in it. If the underband does not stay level around your body, it could be too big for you. If you find yourself tightening the straps to keep the bra in place, it is too big for you as well. It’s important to see how the sports bra works with your movements.
Use a sports bra for the right activity level for added comfort – you wouldn’t want a high-impact sports bra for a less intense sports like yoga. While it might keep everything in place, it might also make it difficult for you to take deeper breaths, typical for yoga. Same for intense sports like running. Using a high-impact sports bra with thick, adjustable straps helps to provide maximum support.
4. The centre panel of your sports bra should sit snug.
The centre panel (also known as centre front) of your sports bra should sit flush against your chest. A common problem is when this centre front isn’t laying firmly against your chest, and it can indicate two different things:
The first possibility is that the bra just doesn't fit right. This could be because the band is too big or because the cup is too small.
The second reason the centre front might not be laying flat against your chest has to do with your breast type. Some breast types are naturally going to have problems with certain types of centre front — for example, if your breasts tend toward wide roots (the base of your breasts), they're going to have issues with narrow panels that sit too far apart. In this case, you'll want to look for bras with wider centre panels that fit closer together on your chest.
4. The centre panel of your sports bra should sit snug.
The centre panel (also known as centre front) of your sports bra should sit flush against your chest. A common problem is when this centre front isn’t laying firmly against your chest, and it can indicate two different things:
The first possibility is that the bra just doesn't fit right. This could be because the band is too big or because the cup is too small.
The second reason the centre front might not be laying flat against your chest has to do with your breast type. Some breast types are naturally going to have problems with certain types of centre front — for example, if your breasts tend toward wide roots (the base of your breasts), they're going to have issues with narrow panels that sit too far apart. In this case, you'll want to look for bras with wider centre panels that fit closer together on your chest.
5. Shoulder straps should be firm.
Shoulder straps of your sports bra should be firm but comfortable, and should not be doing all the supporting. If you need to keep adjusting your shoulder straps, it is a sign that your sports bra is not giving you the support you need. The band around your rib cage should be doing most of the work.
According to Professor Joanna Wakefield-Scurr, 97% of women have one breast bigger than the other. Given this, it would be quite unusual to have both your shoulder straps in the same position. As you've got one breast bigger than the other, having your straps adjusted to different levels should be considered.
You can also listen to the full podcast here to understand how the wrong bra can negatively impact your performance.
5. Shoulder straps should be firm.
Shoulder straps of your sports bra should be firm but comfortable, and should not be doing all the supporting. If you need to keep adjusting your shoulder straps, it is a sign that your sports bra is not giving you the support you need. The band around your rib cage should be doing most of the work.
According to Professor Joanna Wakefield-Scurr, 97% of women have one breast bigger than the other. Given this, it would be quite unusual to have both your shoulder straps in the same position. As you've got one breast bigger than the other, having your straps adjusted to different levels should be considered.
You can also listen to the full podcast here to understand how the wrong bra can negatively impact your performance.
SPORTS BRA FOR EVERY TYPE OF FITNESS
Sports bras are designed to keep us comfortable, supported and dry during our workouts. However, with so many options out there, how do you find which sports bra is built for you?
SPORTS BRA FOR EVERY TYPE OF FITNESS
Sports bras are designed to keep us comfortable, supported and dry during our workouts. However, with so many options out there, how do you find which sports bra is built for you?
Under Armour SmartForm Rush™ Bra
Take on your workout with confidence in the Under Armour Women's SmartForm Rush Bra. For workouts or fitness activities that require a high level of support — like HIIT classes, F45 and more — this bra is a must.
With flex-to-fit cups and a custom fit, the SmartForm Rush Bra gives you the support you need to tackle your toughest workout. Plus, with the thicker band, you'll feel locked in yet still able to breathe easily. If coverage is on your mind, the crisscross straps and higher neckline are designed to make you feel well covered and supported.
Under Armour SmartForm Rush™ Bra
Take on your workout with confidence in the Under Armour Women's SmartForm Rush Bra. For workouts or fitness activities that require a high level of support — like HIIT classes, F45 and more — this bra is a must.
With flex-to-fit cups and a custom fit, the SmartForm Rush Bra gives you the support you need to tackle your toughest workout. Plus, with the thicker band, you'll feel locked in yet still able to breathe easily. If coverage is on your mind, the crisscross straps and higher neckline are designed to make you feel well covered and supported.
Under Armour
Infinity Sports
Bra
So you’re looking for a sports bra with medium support? Here it is. Made from super-soft, quick-drying fabric with strategically placed mesh panels and four-way stretch construction that moves better in every direction, this bra delivers the ultimate in comfort.
The Infinity technology was developed in-house by our team of designers and engineers to make an incredibly comfortable bra that gives you the support you need without all the weight you don't.
Under Armour
Infinity Sports
Bra
So you’re looking for a sports bra with medium support? Here it is. Made from super-soft, quick-drying fabric with strategically placed mesh panels and four-way stretch construction that moves better in every direction, this bra delivers the ultimate in comfort.
The Infinity technology was developed in-house by our team of designers and engineers to make an incredibly comfortable bra that gives you the support you need without all the weight you don't.
Always consider comfort, fit and function.
In our podcast, the Science of the Sports Bra, Dr. Joanna Wakefield-Scurr (Head of the Research Group in Breast Health) at the University of Portsmouth, noted that the foundation of any good bra boils down to three essentials - comfort, fit and function.
Think of comfort first.
Does the bra work for you? Something might look good on the hanger or on one of your friends, but that doesn't mean it'll work for your body. If you're looking to try something new, you should give it a test drive before taking it home.
Finding the right bra fit is everything.
Does the sports bra properly fit you? Most sports bras come with adjustable straps and clasps in the back. Take advantage of these functions to ensure your bra is properly fitted for your body, and that it provides adequate support for all types of movement.
Consider the function or activity.
What purpose is the sports bra meant to serve you? Different sporting activities have different functional requirements. For low impact activities like yoga or stretching, a simple low-support bra bra may suffice. But if you're running or mountain biking, you might want something a little more high impact with extra padding and compression.
Always consider comfort, fit and function.
In our podcast, the Science of the Sports Bra, Dr. Joanna Wakefield-Scurr (Head of the Research Group in Breast Health) at the University of Portsmouth, noted that the foundation of any good bra boils down to three essentials - comfort, fit and function.
Think of comfort first.
Does the bra work for you? Something might look good on the hanger or on one of your friends, but that doesn't mean it'll work for your body. If you're looking to try something new, you should give it a test drive before taking it home.
Finding the right bra fit is everything.
Does the sports bra properly fit you? Most sports bras come with adjustable straps and clasps in the back. Take advantage of these functions to ensure your bra is properly fitted for your body, and that it provides adequate support for all types of movement.
Consider the function or activity.
What purpose is the sports bra meant to serve you? Different sporting activities have different functional requirements. For low impact activities like yoga or stretching, a simple low-support bra bra may suffice. But if you're running or mountain biking, you might want something a little more high impact with extra padding and compression.
There’s no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to a good sports bra.
With the right sports bra that moves with your body, it enables you to perform at your best, whether you’re running or playing tennis. We know it's not easy to find the best sports bra for your body. That's why we put together a bra quiz that can help you determine what type of sports bra will suit your needs.
There’s no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to a good sports bra.
With the right sports bra that moves with your body, it enables you to perform at your best, whether you’re running or playing tennis. We know it's not easy to find the best sports bra for your body. That's why we put together a bra quiz that can help you determine what type of sports bra will suit your needs.
