How to Buy a Sports Bra

By eHow Sports & Fitness Editor

Rate: (5 Ratings)

Gone are the days of bras that cut, chafe and offer little support during physical activity. Women and girls should take advantage of multipurpose sports bras, designed for high-impact activity and made with high-technology fabrics.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Sports Bras

Step1

Choose the style best suited to you: a compression style, one that separates the breasts, or a model that does both.

Step2

Choose compression, or a bra-like halter top, if you're smaller-breasted.

Step3

Get good support if you're larger-breasted by choosing a bra with separate, molded cups.

Step4

Try on all sports bras if they are a first-time purchase.

Step5

Make sure the bra is snug, but that you can still comfortably take a deep breath.

Step6

Check for support by pulling the straps and bottom of the bra. It shouldn't stretch very much.

Step7

Perform the movements of your sport when trying on the bra. Jump, stretch, reach and run in place.

Step8

Check for potential chafing by running your fingers over the seams to make sure they are smooth.

Step9

Discard old bras promptly. They lose their support when the elastic breaks down.

Tips & Warnings

Buy from a sports specialty store with knowledgeable salespeople.
Find a female salesperson if that will make you most comfortable.
Apply petroleum jelly or a similar product to skin under any areas of potential irritation.
Buy several pairs to facilitate laundering and longevity.
Forgo the dryer in favor of a clothesline. Despite what the care label says, heat and bleach weaken the material.
Try on the bra with team jerseys if you want to make sure bra colors don't show through.
Play braless if you choose. There is no need to wear a bra if you are small-breasted and more comfortable without one.

Comments

Stephanie1972 said

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on 5/2/2008 Hi!
I just wanted to comment on finding a sports bra. I ordered a great sports bra from FitChix.com and it is awesome! Their sizing chart was true to size and I even called them and they were very helpful in helping me decide on the best bra for me. I ended up with a CWX xtra support bra, since I am a D cup, and it is my favorite! No more of the two bras and this one has great support! They even have sizes online up to a size E cup. They gave me a promo code to share, and I got 20% off using it! So, just wanted to share my experience with you all and the code is FOF-RS.
I also wanted to comment on how helpful this sight is with the information it provides.I will pass it on!
Thanks !
Stephanie

Anonymous said

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on 9/8/2006 On training bras, I have two daughters, 15 and 16, one of which is in soccer and track, the other in aerobic boxing/kick boxing. The one younger, in track, wears a Heatgear bra because it pushes up rather than flattening (she is an A cup). My older girl refuses to wear a bra yet (she is an AA cup), and wears Band Aids (1" flex strips) when she spars/works out. The Heatgear is good for people who can't deal with seams, and Band Aids are better than nothing for stiff nipples/tank top wearers where side exposure could occur.

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 If you find your bra doesn't support you enough, try wearing a singlet top (with inner-bust support) or a crop top over the top. It may be uncomfortable, but in the long run, you'll find you don't bounce so much. Great for high impact sports like Karate.

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 For the women with breast larger than a C cup, I recommend wearing two sports bras. For even more support during high energy excercise, wrap an Ace Bandage around your sports bra. Not too awfully tight - you need to breath.

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 If you're full breasted, you'd better try the sports bra on before you bring it home. Some sports bras purport that they are fitted for full-breasted women, but you can't even pull it over your head or get it down over your breasts.

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