Sports bras: Get fit for action
Eight out of 10 women are wearing the wrong size sports bra, says Heather Cvitkovic, a product manager at Moving Comfort, the women’s fitness clothing company that sells more sports bras than any other brand. But when it comes to choosing a sports bra, size isn’t the only thing that matters.
“The style of bra you wear needs to fit the type of activity you’re doing in it,” she says.
A compression bra, one that presses the breasts against the chest wall to restrict movement, is best for small-breasted women who do low-impact activities like swimming. A bra that combines compression with encapsulation — semi-molded cups — is better for women who have larger breasts and need more support than they will get from compression alone. And an encapsulation bra — a style that “lifts and separates” — is best suited for larger-breasted women who do medium- and high-impact activities such as running or jumping rope.
No matter which style you choose, “the bottom band should fit more snugly than a lingerie bra does because that’s where the support comes from,” says Cvitkovic. You should be able to take a deep breath without feeling uncomfortable, she adds, but it should feel tight. The bottom band should also lie flat and straight across the back. Here’s a look at some of the latest styles:
Champion Sweetheart
Style: compression; pullover/ racer back
Ideal for: low impact/A-B cups
Size: S-XL
Price: $24.99
Where to buy: https://www.Championusa.com
Ibex Wool Balance Support
Style: compression; pullover/racer back with adjustable straps
Ideal for: low-medium impact/A-C cups
Size: S-L
Price: $75
Where to buy: https://www.shopibex.com
Lole Intense
Style: compression/encapsulation; pullover racer back
Ideal for: medium impact/A-C cups
Size: XS-XL
Price: $45
Where to buy: https://www.lolewomen.com
LuluLemon Ta Ta Tamer II
Style: encapsulation; hook-and-eye closure; adjustable straps that lie parallel or cross in an X
Ideal for: medium-high impact/C-D cups
Size: 32C-38D
Price: $58
Where to buy: https://www.shoplululemon.com
Moving Comfort Juno
Style: encapsulation; pullover with hook-and-eye closure; racer back
Ideal for: medium-high impact/B-DD cups
Size: 32B-40DD
Price: $56
Where to buy: https://www.movingcomfort.com
Under Armour Seamless Essential Sports Bra
Style: compression; pullover with adjustable straps; racer back
Ideal for: low impact/A-B cups
Size: XS-XL
Price: $29.99
Where to buy: https://www.underarmour.com
Victoria’s Secret Incredible
Style: compression/encapsulation; pullover racer back
Ideal for: medium-high impact/B-DD cups
Size: 32B-38D
Price: $49.50-$56.50
Where to buy: https://www.victoriassecret.com
