How to pick the right sports bra

The world of the sports bra has changed since the half-tank pullover of yesteryear. Sports bras today are catered to such specifics as the type of sport and the size and style of the wearer.

Do you know how active you plan to be? Most sports bras are manufactured for specific levels of activity and their labels will indicate whether they are suited to low, medium or high-impact activities. High-impact activities like running require more breast support than low-impact activities like yoga. Other low-impact activities include walking, weight training, rock climbing, and golf. High-impact activities include mountain biking, softball, soccer, basketball, and high-impact or step aerobics. Medium-impact activities fall somewhere between the two, and they include spinning, skiing, speed walking, stair climbing, and martial arts.

The 2 basic construction styles of sports bras are compression and encapsulation. The compression bra squashes the breasts to the chest to minimize motion, so it offers the most bounce control. It has no discernible cups and is therefore better for smaller than larger breasts. These bras are best for low-impact activities. The encapsulation bra looks like a normal bra, with separate cups that support each breast individually. Women with larger breasts find these bras more comfortable. They are generally best for high-impact activities.

Another important factor in choosing a sports bra is the fabric. Many sports bras on the market are made of moisture-wicking fabric. These fabrics, such as Coolmax and Supplex, are designed to keep your sweat from getting into your clothes (remember the sweaty outline on your grey workout tee?). Most importantly, the moisture stays away from your skin, where it can cause chafing.

Now that you are armed with all of the right information, have fun in the lingerie department of your favorite store. Take care of your bras…hand wash them if possible…if not, put them in lingerie bags on gentle cycle and never, EVER put them in the dryer. Protect your investment, and notice how much you love your new silhouette, both under your clothing and with no clothing at all!