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Selection of a sports bra should be based on breast size and work out intensity
Some
serious consideration should be given to figuring out how to choose a sports bra. The
wrong sports bra is not going to provide you with the necessary support and may even
allow damage to be done to your breasts during a strenuous workout. The right sports bra can make all of
the difference.
Choosing
a sports bra is based in large part on what type of exercises you engage in.
Walking, weight training, yoga and road cycling are considered low impact
exercise, whereas inline skating, moderation hiking and skiing are considered
medium-impact sports. High impact sports, which are going to jar your breasts the
most, include aerobics, running and mountain biking.
Compression
sports bras are good for women who have A and B cup breasts. These bras will
compress the breasts against the chest wall and restrict movement. Compression
bras come in racer-back styles that are very supportive and are excellent for
medium- and high-impact activities. The compression bra is also available in a
scoop-back style that is ideal for low or medium impact aerobics.
Keep in mind
that thin spaghetti straps on a sports bra provide less support than a wider
strap so you may not want this type of strap.
If
you are large breasted (C or D cup) opt for a compression/encapsulation bra
that provides a lot of support. If you have breasts that are a D cup or later, the
encapsulation bra is best for you. This bra contains two individual cups that
support and surround each breast separately.
If
you do not need much support or are not engaging in high impact exercises, you
may want to choose a shimmel, which is a tank top that is outfitted with an
integral shelf bra that provides some support but not a whole lot.
Ideally,
a sports bra should fit you tighter than a regular bra but it should not be so
tight that it is uncomfortable. Try to avoid hooks and snaps because they can
chafe your skin. The bra should fit in such a way that there is no chafing
under your arms or chafing caused by seams or unsuitable shoulder straps. The
straps should not dig into your shoulders.
When
you raise your hands over your head while wearing your sports bra, if the
elastic band moves upward you need a smaller band and or you may need to adjust
the straps. A wide band is more supportive than a narrow one. The band is the
foundation of the sports bra, just at a well-fitting sports bra is the foundation of sportswear for women.
The
cup fabric in a sports bra should be smooth. If puckering or wrinkling occurs,
the cup is too big. Jump and jog around the dressing room to give the sports
bra a practice run when deciding how to choose a sports bra. If you are "flopping" and uncomfortable when moving, the bra is not providing enough
support.
The
straps are not the main support of the bra, even though they hold up the cups.
The straps should allow minimal stretch and should not slip off or be
uncomfortable. A wider strap disperses weight better. Consider choosing a
sports bra with adjustable straps so you can get the precise fit that you
desire.
Some
sports bras feature under wires, which are plastic or metal and which run along
the bottom of the cup. An underwire provides even more support.
Purchase a sports bra - the foundation for your workout sportswear - that contains wicking fabrics that draw the moisture away from your skin. Unfortunately, the more supportive a sports bra the less able it will be able to provide wicking because the sturdier the sports bra the sturdier the construction and fabric and the less moisture absorption that occurs.
How to choose a sports bra that fits
Remove your shirt and measure just under your breasts
around your rib cage. Take this measurement and add five inches and round up to
the nearest even number. If your rib cage measure is 33 inches or more add
three inches to the measure and round up to the nearest even number. This is
your band size. To determine your bust size, measure loosely around the fullest
part of your breast and then round up to the nearest whole number. Subtract the
band size from your bust measurement and this will determine your cup size. If the difference in the two numbers is one
inch, your cup size is an A. If the difference is two inches, you are a B cup.
If the difference is three inches, you are a C cup and if the difference is
four inches you are a D. A difference of 5.5 inches indicates that you are a DD
cup.
For
example, if your rib cage measurement is 29 inches, add five inches and that
means that your band size is 34 inches.
If your bust measurement is 34 inches, round up to 35 inches. Now
subtract 29 inches from 34 inches. The difference is five inches. You should
wear a D cup.
Why it is important to choose a sports bra that fits
If
you are extremely active and play sports, your breasts are going to be bounced
around and this can result in breast soreness. A sports bra will limit the
movement of your breasts via compression, which either flattens your breasts or
encapsulates the breasts by using molded cups that separate your breasts. The
molded cup version is best for large-breasted women. When your breasts are not
supported, the bouncing of the breasts can cause internal bleeding.
A good sports bra not only provides support but protection for your
breasts. The padding in a sports bra will lessen the blow to the tissue that
occurs when you are exercising. This will lower the risk of damage occurring in
the stroma of your breast, which includes connective tissues, fat, nerves, the
lymphatic system and blood vessels. The suspensory ligaments
in your chest hold up breasts and are what gives the breasts their size and
shape. Once these ligaments are stretched, they do not go back to their
original position. A sports bra will reduce stress on the breast tissue and
stretching.
Remember
to choose a sports bra that is breathable, such as one with cotton-lined cups,
and select a sports bra that has some elasticity in the straps, which prevents
discomfort. Make sure that you are
buying the right size. If the sports bra is too large or too small it cannot
protect your breasts adequately nor will it prevent breast pain.
If you do not provide you breasts with adequate support, this allows the natural breast tissue to break down and you are going to end up with belly ornaments otherwise known as breasts that hang down to your waist.
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