Any female who leads an active lifestyle or participates in regular physical activity should consider investing in a quality sports bra. The first exercise bra was invented in 1977 as a response to the need for a supportive top which would not chafe and would provide extra support for sporty women.
Over the years, the sports bra has developed into an essential addition to the active woman's lingerie wardrobe. Wearing a sports bra during intense physical activities has many benefits. Primarily, a sports bra is designed to give added support to the breasts. This helps to prevent discomfort and embarrassing bouncing, while protecting the fragile ligaments of the chest. Weakening and damage of these ligaments is a contributing factor in breast sagging during later life, something all women would prefer to avoid. Those women who wear standard bras during workouts may also find that the shoulder straps take most of the weight of the breasts during movements, pulling down on the shoulder muscles which can this can lead to strain, posture alteration and headaches.
It is quite clear then, that if you are going to get fit, a decent sports bra is a vital piece of equipment. So, how do you go about choosing the right sports bra for you? There are several tips to bear in mind when making your choice.
Type of Sports Bras
The two main sports bra types are known as encapsulation and compression. Encapsulation style bras have a rigid shaped cup which gives excellent stability to the bust and is a good choice for larger women. It is common for encapsulation styles to also feature adjustable straps which allows you to customise the fit. Compression bras usually pull on over the head and flatten the breasts against the chest to prevent excessive movement but create what is known as the uni-boob look, which some women will be uncomfortable with. Both encapsulation and compression style bras usually feature racer-back or halter styles straps.
Sports Bra Fabrics
If you are going to invest in a sports bra it is worth spending a little more for quality and high performance fabrics. The best sports bras are made of technical materials which wick away sweat from the skin, and are breathable to keep you cool and fresh during your workout.
Sports Bras For Your Activity
Think about the types of activity that you participate in before you buy your sports bra . When you are practising a gentle activity such as yoga or Pilates, you will need only a low level of support. Moving up the scale, to a sport like cycling and you need a bra which offers medium support. High impact activities such as boxing or horse-riding call for maximum support.
Sport Bra Fit
Try on as many different bras as you need to, in order to find the perfect fit. The bra should sit comfortably, and not chafe or dig in at all. Many women like to jog on the spot in the changing room to experience how the bra feels when you are moving.
