Sports Bra: How to Choose a Sports Bra for Fitness?

Sports Bra: How to Choose a Sports Bra for Fitness?

• What are the Benefits of Sports Bras?


• Types of Sports Bras.


• How to Choose a Sports Bra for Fitness?


• Determining the Size: Actions Before and During Try-On.

If your interests include dancing, fitness, aerobics or other active sports, you simply must have a sports top. And all because intense movements have a strong impact on the chest: it shifts sharply in different directions, causing a lot of inconvenience during the training process. Without reliable fixation of the chest, the Kupffer ligaments are weakened (these are only 2 layers of connective and not the most elastic tissue that hold the bust to the chest). The result is severe discomfort and pain. And the larger the breast size, the more intense the suffering.

Until recently, this problem was solved with elastic bandages or using double bras. And today the sports industry offers special support underwear. It is called a fitness top, sports bra or sports bra. It allows you to cheat the law of gravity, enjoy sports training and active recreation.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF SPORTS TOPS?

Anyone who has had to tighten their breasts with a bandage to go running, horse riding or dancing knows how uncomfortable it is. Even a double bra is not able to reliably fix the breasts during active movements. The anatomical structure of a woman's breast is very different from a man's - it has no muscles. And the ligaments and skin are not able to dampen vibrations, which can reach up to 8-10 cm in different directions. A sports bra completely solves this problem, but only if the underwear is chosen correctly.

And here are two pieces of news:

• The good news is that manufacturers offer a wide range of sizes.


• And the bad news is that not all women can cope with choosing a fitness bra (even those who have been in sports for many years).

Our reference.
Sports bras first appeared in the mid-70s of the last century. The company Glamorise Foundations, which develops lingerie for curvy women, released the first commercially available sports bra in 1975, specifically for playing tennis. But the underwear was not universal. And then three American women who were keen on running offered their own version of a sports bra - Jogbra (from the English jogging - jogging). The project was also not ideal, but it was a commercial success, and brought its creators a million-dollar fortune. But truly innovative tops were created only in 2001, when the American lingerie brand Playtex studied the biomechanics of the female breast.

Today, the fitness top is among the sales leaders among sportswear. Among other equally important advantages, we will highlight the following:

• The sports top does not rub the skin. This is possible due to the seamless design or the use of technologies with smooth seams. In addition, all the available fittings do not come into contact with the body in any way.


• Fitness bras do not accumulate moisture. The multifunctional fabric from which sports underwear is made effectively absorbs sweat, immediately removes it to the outside and dries quickly. The body under the bra always remains dry, no matter how intense the workout.


• Comfortable fit. Correctly selected underwear fits tightly to the body. The straps evenly distribute the load on the back. The top reliably supports and tightens the chest, it eliminates vibrations during a sharp change in the direction of body movements.



TYPES OF SPORTS BRAS

Sports bras differ in design, level of support and fabric material.

Structurally, fitness bras come in three types:

1. Compression (or shapewear) tops are ideal for smaller breast sizes. The bra has no cups and looks like a cropped T-shirt. The elastic material fits snugly and prevents the breast from shifting.



Disadvantage: an incorrectly selected (one size smaller) compression top creates excess pressure on the upper chest, damaging the skin of the décolleté.



2. Encapsulated (or support) tops are suitable for all women, but especially for those with large busts. The design with cups made of non-elastic and non-stretchable fabric supports each breast separately without putting pressure on it. This type of top can be worn for a long time. It is easy to put on and take off, since it fastens under the chest or at the back.



Disadvantage: there are difficulties with choosing the right size. This is partly due to the anatomical features of the chest.



3. Combined sports tops are a successful combination of a slimming and supporting effect.





By the level of breast support, sports bras are:

1. Light Support - for hiking, yoga, pilates, stretching, i.e. not intensive activities.


2. Medium Support - for strength training, fitness, running.


3. High Support - for intense training: tennis, horse riding, crossfit, sprint distances.



Difference in fabric material.

Here are 2 options: cotton (90% cotton, 10% elastane) or synthetic fabric. In the latter case, as a rule, it is a mixed composition: elastane + cotton, polyester + elastane or other options.

The main requirements for sports tops are: durability, elasticity, good moisture removal, improved ventilation, no shrinkage after washing, ability to restore shape well after deformation, hypoallergenic, lightness.

If you want to get maximum comfort and pleasure from your workout, choose a top made of breathable synthetics. Their tags will indicate: Moisture wicking, Coolmax or Drifit.

As for cotton bras, although they look like sports bras, they are not. They are ideal for home use, yoga and breathing practices, that is, not for active training. Knitwear absorbs moisture well and holds it in itself. It is not comfortable to train intensively in such a top, since there is no thermoregulation effect. In addition, it is also impossible to get effective breast support.

HOW TO CHOOSE A SPORTS BRA FOR FITNESS?

The "right" top does not distract attention and does not create discomfort. When choosing it, pay attention to the following: chest size, type of physical activity, strap design, and also the width of the belt.

Chest size:

• For smaller breasts (with cup sizes of regular A and B busts), choose a compression top.


• For breasts with cups from C and up, encapsulated sports bras are ideal.


• Combination sports bras are suitable for everyone.



Type of physical activity:

• For Pilates, cycling, skiing, stretching and yoga, you can choose models without a compression effect; an encapsulation top with a medium level of support will be quite sufficient.


• For aerobic exercise, dancing, horse riding, crossfit and running - compression or universal tops with a high level of chest support.



Strap design.

Sports bras always have wide straps. Their main task is to evenly distribute the load on the shoulders and back. The wider the straps, the less pressure they exert, the better the top fits and the more comfortable it is to train during dynamic exercises. They can have shock-absorbing foam pads and be equipped with hooks to secure them together.

Width of the belt.

An important structural part of the top that goes under the chest. It is the belt that provides the lion's share of the chest support. The wider it is, the better the effect.



DETERMINING THE SIZE: ACTIONS BEFORE AND DURING THE FITTING.

Before the fitting.

Please take 2 sizes before ordering online:

• Measure your half bust (the measuring tape should cover the fullest part of your chest and be parallel to the floor.


• Measure your underbust.



Compare the measurement result with the brand's international size code table and determine your size. If your size is in the range of two adjacent sizes, a call to the store manager will help clarify the information.



If the website indicates sizes in the form of letters AA, A, B, C, D, E, F, then you need to calculate the fullness of the cup: chest circumference - volume under the chest. You will get a difference that you need to compare with the size chart:

• 10 см — AА;
• 12,5 см — А;
• 15 см — B;
• 17,5 см — C;
• 20 см — D;
• 22,5 см — E;
• 25 см — F.

During the fitting.

A top can sit absolutely comfortably in a static position, but cause discomfort in dynamics. Therefore, be sure to try it in action during fitting. Alternatively, you can do an exercise that will most likely help you determine the degree of comfort of the item:

Put on a bra, squat down, and place your hands on the floor. From this position, jump up, simultaneously spreading your legs and arms to the sides. Repeat the exercise several times. It imitates the movement of the chest during running.

Also, don't forget to check how tightly the bra band fits your body (it shouldn't be too tight or too loose) and how comfortable it is to use the clasp.

Now that you know how to choose a sports bra for fitness, it's time to put your skills into practice. Freever.ua has prepared a large selection of sports tops for all occasions. Follow the link and choose the item you like. The brand also offers breeches, leggings, T-shirts, crop tops and other products for a comfortable workout.