Exercise Your Style: Show Support for Your Girls!

SHOW SUPPORT FOR YOUR GIRLS!

Over the past month I have accumulated a total 6 new sports bras. The best part about this is that they were all for free! Thanks to my Mom’s lack of sports bra knowledge I now have enough sports bras in my wardrobe to get me through 2 weeks of  working out without having to step foot in the laundry room! Fantastic!

Each sports bra came with a different reason why it got the boot- “I feel like I’m suffocating, there’s just NOT enough support,” and my favorite “the girls hang too low making me look flat as a board." Mom had a good point on this one, not wanting to look flat as a board and certainly not wanting your chest to lack perkiness are in fact good reasons to get a new sports bra. Now I’m not advocating padded push-ups at the gym, but I’m sure we can all agree with this one and admit that we women want a bra that’s going to accentuate our womanly figures-even if we are sweating like men.

So after calculating the amount of money my mom wasted on purchasing ill-fitting sports bras I decided to do my homework and come up with guidelines on what you ladies should be looking out for when it comes time to purchase a new sports bra. After all, it’s not merely about how the bra makes you look, but most importantly the functionality of it. The fashion part of the bra is import too-but ladies lets try and think buying for function first on this one!

Basic Tips before the Purchase:

- TRY IT ON! Don’t depend on tag to tell you if it fits! Brands vary in size!
- JUMP, MOVE, RUN in place to make sure you are being supported.
- Bra should NOT move, twist or ride up- these signs of wearing the WRONG size!
- Too small if-you’re popping out at the top or sides of bra & band is too tight making it hard to breath.
- Too big if- bra wrinkles, sags & bags.
- DON’T buy just cotton fabrics, they don’t hold shape once drenched in sweat.
- Look for synthetic mixes-Lycra Spandex, Supplex Nylon, Polyester.

Determine Your Size:

Measure yourself before –basing on last bra purchased is not as accurate due to the constant change in a women’s body.

Chest size: Measure around your chest, under the arms and just above the breasts-If an odd # round up.

Cup Size:  Measure around the fullest part of your bust.

If measurement is between numbers- round up or down, to nearest whole number. Subtract your chest size from your bust measurement. Difference between these two #s is your cup size.

Choosing A Style:

Encapsulation: Two separate cups that surround and support each breast. (Bra has hooks, zippers, etc.)

Compression: Has a band of firm fabric that compresses the breasts against the body.

Combination: Combination of both-has the highest support.

Bigger Busted (C cup & up): Look for thicker straps- “Encapsulation” style- bras that don’t “smoosh” you, but shape. *Racer back bras help take tension off shoulders.

Smaller Chest: Don’t need much support-go for comfort-light fabrics-padded to enhance bust.

Level of Activity:

Finding a bra that will support your level of activity is crucial.

Example: 

Higher level of activity = More Support

(Running, step class, biking = High Impact)

*Most manufacturers indicate the level of activity that the bra is meant for on the label.

Sources:

http://www.shape.com/lifestyle/beauty-style/5-tips-find-perfect-sports-bra
http://www.movingcomfort.com/Sports-Bra-Fitting-Room/sports-bra-fitting-room,default,pg.html