All of us know “what is a sports bra”. A properly fitted sports bra reduces breast movement, stops excessive bouncing, and keeps an individual focused on any preferred activity. However, a poorly fitting bra can be annoying because it can cause soft tissue damage, chafing, soreness, and pain. Such discomfort or pain can, for some women, actually prevent them from exercising.
Although finding the ideal sports bra for the right size and activity is not an exact science, we’ll give you some pointers. Make sure you help your customers try on several, sizes, and styles until they find the one that feels right because bra sizing varies widely among brands and there is no industry-wide standard.
Why Is Choosing the Perfect Sports Bra Important?
Women’s breasts move in a figure-eight pattern while running, sometimes rising and falling by as much as eight inches. The Cooper’s ligaments, which are slender bands of connective tissue that support the breasts, are put under a great deal of strain as a result. Women are likely to feel sore if they don’t have the right support, and they run the risk of doing permanent harm.
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University of Portsmouth sports scientists looked at the effects of running on breast tissue while using different types of sports bras and everyday bras. They discovered that while sports bras with low to medium impact reduce bounce, they are ineffective at reducing the side-to-side movement that occurs when running.
In fact, their research demonstrates that depending on the type of bra worn, women run differently. Therefore, a good sports bra will not only give the essential support but may also enable you to achieve a new personal best.
This may help to explain why activities with high impact, like running, jumping, and skipping rope, are more likely to result in breast discomfort and pain than activities with low impact. Women who experience breast pain may alter their exercise routines and change how they walk and move their upper bodies.
Look for the Sports Bra Size With the Best Fit
The majority of women wear bras that are too small. But in addition to being uncomfortable, an ill-fitting sports bra fails to support the breasts, limit excessive movement, and lessen stress on the back, neck, and shoulders. Let us know more about how should a sports bra (learn: Is It the Right Choice to Wear Sports Bras All Day?) fit.
To get a current and accurate picture of the bra size, it is advised to check out a sports bra (learn: A Complete Guide to High-Impact Sports Bras) manufacturer’s sizing scale. You can use your typical bra size as a starting point if you don’t have a tape measure on hand.
Cup Size
The bust should be measured around the widest part. This can be done with or without a bra on. Make sure the bra is not padded. To make sure the tape measure is level across the bust and back, repeat the process in front of the mirror to the nearest whole number, round. This is the size of the bust.
The discrepancy between this bust measurement and band size (step 1) is the cup size (step 2). Choose the larger cup size when in doubt.
Band Size
Just below the bust, take a measurement around the chest. To the nearest whole number, round. To make sure the band is level and snug, perform this action in front of a mirror (but not digging into the skin).
Look for the Level of Supportive Sports Bra That You Need for Different Workout Intensities
Low, medium, and high impact support are all available in sports bras. The cup size and the kind of exercise the women do will determine the type they need. More than 85% of women, however, are not wearing the proper bra.
Around menstruation, breasts are also more likely to be tender, so there are times when women may experience both movement-related breast pain and breast pain related to their menstrual cycle. Hence, it is very important to choose the right support bra that fits well.
Low-Support Sports Bras
Low-impact sports bras are made for movements and activities with very little bouncing. These bras are an excellent choice for people with smaller breasts or for more moderate activities since they provide light, comforting support.
Low impact activities: Walking, yoga, strength training.
Construction: Low-support sports bras usually have no cups and compress the breasts tightly against the chest wall to limit movement.
Medium-Support Sports Bras
For women of all cup sizes, medium-impact bras are made with an added layer of support. These bras often have a light compression and are form-fitting to the body for further support.
Medium impact activities: Dancing, skiing, cycling.
Construction: Medium-support sports bras are likely similar to low-support bras in construction.
High-Support Sports Bras
High-impact bras are made for exercises that may cause breast bouncing, such as those that require a lot of leaping or movement. They are often constructed with much more support in the strap and bottom band and are manufactured with high compression.
High-impact activities: Running, aerobics, mountain biking.
Construction: To enclose and support each breast, high-impact bras are designed with a defined cup structure similar to that of a regular bra. Some high-impact bras combine compression and encapsulation techniques to provide the most support possible.
Look For Sports Bras With Suitable Panels and Bands
We are aware that sports bras typically come in small, medium, and large sizes. But don’t you think a bra that is intended to support your breasts while you jump up and down needs to be less generic? In order to prevent spills and get the support you need, always look for a brand that offers appropriate cup sizes.
Let us today explain the function of the numerous panels and bands on your sports bra if you are curious about what they are for. Your breasts are supported by the bottom band, and spills are prevented by the side and back panels. They also assist you in selecting a good fit.
Your sports bra’s bottom band should be detachable from the center by at least half an inch. You’ve found your match if you can accomplish this feat. If not, try the following size.
You will undoubtedly perspire while working out. Be prepared for some chafing and rashes if you don’t look for a bra with a proper breathable wick or soaking mechanism. If you enjoy wearing pullover bras, you are taking a big risk because there is no way to adjust the straps, which lose their elasticity after a few wears. You must therefore search for an adjustable strap that can properly support your breasts.
Quality Tests/Certifications of Sports Bras
Sports bras are usually put to the test by using them for yoga sessions, HIIT and spin classes, and runs. When evaluating the top sports bras, it’s essential to consider how the bra feels while we’re exercising, including whether it wicks away sweat or feels overly damp after a sweaty workout.
We’ll consider how simple it is to put on and take off the bra and whether the straps can be altered for a better fit. Finally, we’ll think about how comfortable the bra is. A bra that pinches or chafes won’t encourage you to work out harder.
Conclusion
The fragile Cooper’s ligaments that support the breast and the skin covering the breast tissue can be irreversibly stretched as a result of routine exercise without a bra that provides support.
The good news is that a properly sized, a high-support sports bra (learn: Sports Bras Washing and Caring Guide) can greatly minimize breast movement, lower the risk of sagging, and even alleviate up to 85% of breast pain symptoms.
If you are looking to start an activewear business, contact Uga right away to begin your new venture and take your business to new heights with high-quality activewear for both men and women and get sports bras wholesale.
