Did you know more than 70% of women are wearing the wrong
size of bra???
I’ll give you a minute to digest that number…70%!
And here’s another fun fact for you, Brooks’ research found
that 25% of women don’t work out as hard as they could because of breast
bounce. WHAT?!
Both stats are crazy but I want you to know that you don’t
have to be a part of those statistics.
You can be a woman who has fully supported breasts. One who never worries
about breast bounce during workouts.
You can give it your all and never fear that your breasts are going to
become saggy from lack of support – YES! That is a thing.
You might be asking yourself, how? How do I find out about
proper fitting sports bras and what to look for when shopping? How do I know if my sports bra is
fitting correctly?
I have compiled all of the information you will need to know
to answer these very important questions.
So, for the sake of your breasts,
READ ON LADIES. READ ON!
Let’s start with some general breast information.
-
Breasts have no muscles. They are made up of
fatty tissue stuck to the chest, and all that is holding them up are fibrous
strands called Cooper’s ligaments.
-
Physical activity makes breasts bounce up, down
and even in a figure eight. Yes-
even an A cup sized breast will move.
Check out Shock Absorber’s bounce-o-meter to see just how much movement
different activities can cause.
-
If the breast is bouncing around, even a little
bit, then the Cooper’s ligament is getting stretched, IRREVERSIBLY I might add,
leading to saggy breasts and breast discomfort or pain. Not to mention back
pain, trouble breathing and improper exercise form. Nobody wants any of that!
SO WHAT CAN WE DO TO PROTECT OUR BREASTS?
1.
Get fitted to make sure you are wearing the
correct size.
Keep in mind that
each bra style and brand will have a different fit so use your size as a
starting point. Furthermore, your
breasts are continually changing so it’s important to be fitted often. Check out this video for measurement tips.
2.
Choose a bra with the correct amount of support
for your cup size.
Take a look at the chart below to
find out what type of bra construction you need to provide the right amount of
support for your cup size.
Type
|
Function
|
Recommendation
|
Some Examples
|
Compression
|
Holds breast tissue
close to chest to limit movement
|
-good for low
impact activities for all sizes
-A or B cup might
get enough support for high impact activities
|
-Most LuLuLemon
bras
-Most Victoria’s
Secret Sports bras
-Nike Sports bras
-Brooks Moving
Comfort Front Runner
-Baobei Maternity Nursing Sports Bra
|
Encapsulation
|
Built with
individual cups that surround and support each breast.
Helps limit the up,
down and circular movement of the breast.
|
-everyday wear for
all sizes
|
-Everday bras from
LaSenza, Victoria’s Secret, The Bay
|
Combination
|
Uses both
compression and encapsulation and provides the most support.
|
-C cup or larger
need this type of bra for ample support, especially during high impact
activities
|
-Brooks Moving
Comfort Juno, Jubralee and Rebound Racer
-LuluLemon Ta Ta
Tamer and Enlight Bra
-Victoria’s Secret
Knockout
-Knix Catalyst |
3.
Wear a sports bra with the appropriate support
for the activity you are doing.
Low impact activities generally require less
support than high impact.
Low Impact
|
Medium Impact
|
High Impact
|
Walking
Yoga
Strength Training
|
Hiking
Skiing
Cycling
|
Running
Jumping
Mountain Biking
|
4.
These are the key areas to check for a good fit:
Band: The majority of bra support comes from the
band. It wraps around the bottom and is the foundation of a bra. A properly
fitting bra will have a band that is snug and parallel to the ground. Wide
bands are more supportive than narrow bands. The band should fit slightly
tighter than a regular bra, but not so tight that you can't comfortably take a
deep breath. To make sure you have the right size, raise your hands over your head.
If the band moves, you need a smaller band or the straps may need to be
adjusted.
Shoulder straps: These
straps hold up the cups but are not the bra's main support. They should provide
minimal stretch to reduce up-and-down movement. Wide straps provide better
support and comfort than narrow ones. Straps should not slip off or press into
your shoulders.
Adjustable
straps: Straps that are adjustable
allow you to customize the fit and are often found on encapsulation style
sports bras. This is also a great
feature for nursing mothers. Ensure
that the buckles or Velcro or clips do not cause any chaffing or
discomfort.
Back closure: Many sports
bras pull on over your head, which can be a struggle once you’re sweaty. I know you’ve all done that special
dance, twisting and turning and bending every which way trying to get that bra
off.
A back closure allows
for ease when putting on and taking off the bra and also allows for further
adjustment. You want the back
closure to be on the first hook when you buy it so you can tighten the band as
the bra stretches over time. This
is also key for nursing mothers as you will get more use out of your bra as
your breast size changes with your growing baby.
Cups: The cup fabric should be smooth. Wrinkles or puckers indicate
the cup is too big. If you’re
spilling out of your bra, the cup size is too small.
5.
Test the bra.
Once
you feel like you’ve got a good fit and support, give some movement a try. Don’t be afraid to jump around in the
change room, do some jumping jacks or run in a spot. Even give that sweaty bra removal
dance a try. You'll be able to
feel and see whether the bra gives you the support you need.
6.
Take good care of your investment.
Let’s be realistic, a good sports
bra is an investment, just like good running shoes or good jeans. To prolong the life of your investment
make sure you hand wash them in cold water or use the delicate cycle and a
lingerie bag, always hang to dry and never use fabric softener.
7.
Replace your sports bra every 70-100 uses or
around a year.
As a general rule, if you are
replacing your running shoes, you should also be replacing your bra. However, don’t wait to replace your
sports bra if you notice that elastic is frayed, there are rips or tears in the
fabric, the straps are stretched or you feel that it isn’t providing the same
amount of support it did when you first bought it.
I am a huge fan of the Brooks’ Moving Comfort Bras. I love the fit and support and they are
nursing friendly! There are so many adjustable parts, which make them perfect
for pregnant and nursing mamas.
Here’s one last video to help you find the perfect bra to
support your breasts.
Now that you have all of the information you need to select
the proper bra,
lock your ladies down and take care of your breasts.
Choose a bra that gives your breasts
the amount of support you need for your breast size and the activities you will
be doing.
Happy supporting!
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