Athletic Bras

Women athletes all over the world have to come to terms with the same drawback: Those features that are so appealing to men can be a literal slap in the face when exercising vigorously. That’s why it’s crucial to learn how to choose the best athletic bras for your figure and sport.

How To Choose The Best Athletic Bras

Many of the tips for choosing athletic bras are the same for choosing a well-fitting everyday bra. For instance, many small-breasted women opt not to wear a bra at all, being more comfortable in a shelf-bra camisole or an undershirt without support. However, even women who are small breasted should consider athletic bras when exercising because those muscles need support during vigorous movement.

Size & Style Matter When Buying Athletic Bras

The first step in getting proper athletic bras is to know your correct bra size. More than 80 percent of women regularly wear the wrong bra size, say lingerie experts. It’s worth the time and effort to visit a dress shop or the lingerie section of a good department store and have a proper bra fitting. That way you will know your accurate size for all future purchases as well.

When you go to get a fitting, look for the most experienced saleswoman available. Fitting a bra properly takes plenty of expertise; it should be measured not only around the band but for the cup and the shoulders as well.

Next, consider the best place to buy athletic bras suitable for your sport. Runners will want to consider a specialty sports or running store, where an experienced saleswoman can advise you on the best sports bra for your size, comfort and sport. If yours is a sport with lots of vertical movement and high impact like running, then you would need to look for athletic bras with maximum support to keep motion to a minimum.

There are several different types of sports bras available, each of which meets different requirements. Before buying, try on a variety of styles from different manufacturers so you can make a better assessment of which style suits you best. Women who wear up to a D cup need a compression bra while those who wear Ds or higher need an encapsulation bra to minimize movement. Most manufacturers list the support level of the bra on the tag. To judge how well an athletic bra supports you, jog up and down a few times in the dressing room. If you find your breasts move too much, try a different style of bra or a different manufacturer.

Be sure to try on several different styles of athletic bras. There are three basic styles of athletic bras: pull-on (over the head), front-hook and back-hook. Check to see which version seems most comfortable to you. It should be snug, but you should still be able to draw a deep breath comfortably.

Fabric Matters Too!

Another key to choosing the right athletic bras is to check the label for the type of fabric that the bra is made of. Most athletic bras have some type of moisture-wicking fabric to help draw moisture away from your skin and cool your body while exercising. The fabric used for the outer part of the bra should be something that gives support and helps the bra keep its shape. For instance, while cotton fabric wicks away moisture very well, it may not offer you the support you need. However, when combined with polyester and Lycra, it supports well. If your skin chafes easily, look for a polyester/Lycra blend that doesn’t irritate skin as much. The best wicking fabric is a combination of Supplex, Lycra and cotton.

Finally, take good care of your athletic bras. Yes, you should have more than one so you can swap them out to minimize wear. Follow the cleaning directions on the tag, and always replace your athletic bras when they lose fit or stretch.