When you buy a sports bra, you want to make sure you get the best out of it. In this article, we will be showing you what to look for in a sports bra.
Does it support you?
When it comes to exercising, the thing you want most from a sports bra is support. There are three classes of support when it comes to sports bras.
The first class of support is low support. Low-support sports bras are the stretchiest and most comfortable of the three classes. Low-support sports bras do not give a lot of support, and therefore aren’t suitable for high-intensity workouts that involve moving around a lot. You can wear a low-support sports bra for workouts like yoga, but you can also simply lounge around in it due to how comfortable it is.
The second class of support is medium support. This class of support has more support than the low support sports bra, and keeps the movement of the breasts minimal. There is still some stretch to the sports bra, however, so it’s still quite comfortable to wear. You can wear medium support sports bras for yoga and even weightlifting, as they can support exercises with some movement.
The third class of support is high support, and this type of sports bra is the most rigid and gives the most support. A high-support sports bra can be worn for high-intensity exercises such as HIIT exercises, running, and hockey. This kind of sports bra can have a tight fit, so it may not be comfortable for everyone.
So how do you know which support class you should take? It depends on the type of workout you do. Once you identify the intensity of your workout, you will know what class of sports bra you should choose.
Is the type of sports bra suitable?
There are many types of sports bras, but no single sports bra fits everyone. Some of the common styles of sports bras you see are compression sports bras, encapsulation sports bras, wired sports bras and wireless sports bras.
Compression sports bras, as the name implies, compresses your bras to keep them in place. This works for those with a smaller breast size, from A cup to C cup.
Encapsulation sports bras have individual cups for each breast, which keeps them in place. This is especially useful for those with a larger bust size, DD cups and above. Often, encapsulation sports bras have wiring to keep the breasts shaped and supported.
Wired sports bras can come in many forms, normally they’re paired with adjustable straps and back clasp bands. Wired sports bras give good support and help shape the breasts well, but not everyone enjoys the wiring of a wired sports bra.
A wireless sports bra typically comes with racerback style straps and a pullover style band. It is one of the more comfortable designs that you can typically wear for lounging and even sleeping.
There are also many types of straps that you can choose from, such as the racerback style, criss-cross style, and tank top style straps.
Racerback style straps are the Y shaped straps you often see associated with sports bras. They help centre the weight and keep the strain off of your shoulders. Due to the fact they aren’t adjustable, you need to make sure they’re the right fit in the beginning.
Criss-cross style straps offer maximum flexibility, and are typically pullover style rather than back clasp. This makes them very comfortable to wear.
Tank tops bras are essentially tank tops with bras built into it. This makes it convenient to wear and you don’t have to wear a bra inside of the tank top. It is better for low-impact sports as the support is quite light.
To know which one is the best, you should try one a few styles to see which one you are most comfortable with, as no single bra type can accommodate every single type of breasts.
Putting it on and taking it off
Another factor you need to consider when purchasing a sports bra is the process of putting it on and taking it off. Not everyone likes a back clasp style, and some people can’t wear a pullover. There are three common put-on methods, zipper in the front, back clasp, and pullover.
The zipper in the front is one of the most comfortable types. Often there is a zipper in the front to replace the back clasp, and it has many safety features as the front zipper style is often the go to style for those who went through a breast surgery. The problem is that chances are the zipper will slowly come down throughout the day, although many brands design the zipper to stay in place.
The back clasp type allows for the band to be adjusted, and is essentially easier to remove than the pullover style, However, it may cause chaffing from the back clasp rubbing against your skin during exercise.
The pullover style is more comfortable than the back clasp style, as it has no clasp to rub against your skin, but it is hard to take off once the bra becomes sweaty and that’s what most ladies don’t like about the pullover style.
It’s essentially up to you to choose which put-on style suits you best, as everyone has their own opinion on each of the put-on styles.
Moisture
One thing you can’t escape from during a workout is sweating, which is actually a good thing but not the best when you feel your bra is unbearably sweaty. The ability to dry fast and wick away moisture is an essential trait a sports bra should have. When choosing a bra, it’s important to determine whether the bra has the ability to dry quickly and wick moisture. If the bra becomes soggy and stays that way throughout the workout, that isn’t a good sports bra to use as it would be very uncomfortable and could essentially chaff your skin over time. You should choose a quick drying and moisture wicking bra so that way you can stay cool and comfortable throughout the workout.
Material
Material is also an important factor in determining what kind of bra suits you. If the material of the bra is rough and uncomfortable, you will dread going exercising due to the discomfort you feel during a workout. It’s best to find a bra with a softer, more comfortable material so that way you can exercise more comfortably. Spandex is a good option if you want a sports bra with good elasticity, but if you want good breathability, go for the ones made of cotton.
Final thoughts
Overall, it’s important that you find a bra that you feel comfortable in, as it is you who is going to exercise and it is you who is going to wear that sports bra. It’s better to invest in a good sports bra in the beginning instead of wasting time and money buying multiple sports bras that aren’t even comfortable.
Need more informative reads? Check out how to style a multiway bra!
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