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Sports bras: Get fit for action

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

health@latimes.com

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