Sports Bras to Support Your Athletic Efforts

In the past, the sports bra came in a single standard style, limited sizes and quite frankly only worked by compressing the breasts into the chest and into the arm pits. Having a spare tire shape surrounding your chest was hardly physically flattering and certainly not comfortable. The material was spandex-like, but without moisture wicking abilities so that you ended up with pools of rash causing sweat. The limited sizes of small to large or A to C cup presumed that larger chested women didn’t exercise or need sport bras.

Thank goodness for a common sense revolution and more women demanding what they need. The market has now been flooded with new options with each manufacturer improving on the last innovation. The first consideration is the type of activity you will be engaging in. High impact sports and activities with repetitive motion will require maximum bounce control. Fuller figured women will need to choose maximum control and compression for all athletic endeavors to protect their breasts from damaging jiggles. Small to medium chested women can match the level of support to their chosen activity.

There are two main types of control, compression and encapsulation. Compression holds the breasts in as opposed to projecting the bust outwards on a shelf. Encapsulation surrounds the breasts from all angles to prevent the bounce and movement of jarring exercise from causing tissue damage. Women with cup sizes A to B can choose from either, while women C cup and greater should opt for both forms of control in a bra. Both compression and encapsulation are achieved through reinforced stitching, support panels, stretch and non-stretch materials. Check for specialty bras and full figure bras that can do double duty.

When choosing your bra, jump around and ensure that the material is breathable and will wick moisture away quickly. Your breasts should not be pushed into your arms’ range of motion nor should you feel the bra moving and shifting on your frame.

A good sport bra is worth the frustration and annoyance of shopping around and trying out various brands. Just grit your teeth and see it as the first challenge on the road to better health.