How to Buy a Sports Bra
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.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
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1
Choose the style best suited to you: a compression style, one that separates the breasts, or a model that does both.
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2
Choose compression, or a bra-like halter top, if you're smaller-breasted.
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3
Get good support if you're larger-breasted by choosing a bra with separate, molded cups.
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4
Try on all sports bras if they are a first-time purchase.
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5
Make sure the bra is snug, but that you can still comfortably take a deep breath.
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6
Check for support by pulling the straps and bottom of the bra. It shouldn't stretch very much.
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7
Perform the movements of your sport when trying on the bra. Jump, stretch, reach and run in place.
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8
Check for potential chafing by running your fingers over the seams to make sure they are smooth.
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9
Discard old bras promptly. They lose their support when the elastic breaks down.
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1
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.
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Comments
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sunshineandrose
Feb 03, 2009
I wear one when I run to keep my breasts from bouncing and trying to keep them firm. -
Sep 08, 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.
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Nov 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.
