A Word on Athletic Bras….

While a regular bra is designed to provide support, a sports bra is designed for mega-support. It keeps the breasts from moving around during strenuous activities. Even if your pecs are perfectly toned, breasts are not made of muscle, so no amount of exercise can tone the actual breast tissue. If the ligaments that attach the breasts to the chest aren’t supported, gravity and motion will eventually wear them down and breast support and positioning will deteriorate. In addition to the long-term sag effects, who wants to get their lovely lacy bras all sweaty and soiled while walking on the treadmill anyway?

When you’re hitting the gym you need to be in a properly fitted sports bra. Women with smaller breasts are better off with compression-style sports bras that flatten the breasts, preventing jiggling by keeping them near and dear. Women with larger breasts should go for bras with separate molded cups that encapsulate each breast- not the flattened uni-boob shape of the pull-over, no cup styles. Divide and conquer is the best tactic. How much support you need depends on the impact level of your activity and the size of your breast. Basically, you want to minimize bounce as much as possible.

When shopping one of the main things to be aware of is the fabric. Bras that are mostly cotton get heavy with perspiration, so look for fabrics that have moisture-wicking properties. Zippers or clasps should always have padding between you and the garment to avoid irritation. Inner seams should be flat and soft. And don’t think you can get away without trying on a sports bra before you buy it. In the dressing room, jump up and down and swing your arms to check for comfort and support. If the elastic under the bust-line moves, the shoulder straps slip, or your breasts bulge out of the sides near the armpits, the bra doesn’t fit.

Today, most sports bras have snaps or some other form of closure so you can get in and out of it easily and receive better support for a flattering, instead of flattening, effect. You never know who you might run in to! We recommend replacing sports bras every 4-6 months, depending on your activity level. I know that’s hard to do, especially because sports bras aren’t the most exciting purchase for most of us, but as soon as a bra starts to loosen up, it’s time to toss it.