Sports Bras

You may have the impression that only proper athletes need to wear a sports bra, but in truth, any activity that involves walking faster than a steady walking pace means you will need a correctly fitting sports bra.

There is no doubt that the sports bra is not a particularly attractive garment to wear, but in truth that is not its purpose. Its purpose is to provide maximum support, restraint and comfort, not to be a fashion statement. When choosing a sports bra, you will first need to decide why you need it – do you want to encapsulate the breasts (provide support) or restrain the breasts? Restraint is particularly popular for women with larger breasts who wish to preserve modesty while exercising. All sports bras will have an element of these two purposes, but if you wish for one more than the other then study the bra’s design and small print to decide which is going to work best.

The sports bra itself basically consists of a tank top cut with the bottom half removed to create material that stretches across the sternum and breasts and ends at the midriff. Most sports bras are made from a stretchy material which helps both control and ease of movement, as well as being absorbent. You can also buy sports bras which are designed to take perspiration from the skin, which is particularly helpful when exercising vigorously.

Sports bras tend to come with four different levels of control, to be used depending on how vigorous the exercise undertaken is. As a general guide, a sports bra described as “light control” should be used for things such as walking, yoga, Pilates and even gardening – not stereotypically a ’sport’, but all that bending and lifting does require a little extra support than the standard bra gives.

The next level of sports bra is “medium control”; select this if you are going to be bike riding, hiking or power walking. Then it is “firm control”, which is ideal for activities such as tennis, football and the classic exercise activity of jogging. The final, anda strongest, level of control is “maximum control” - use this when running, working out intensely on gym equipment or horse riding (even if you only plan to ride at a walk).

A standard gym session, you may be thinking, can consist of many of these things, from yoga right up to using intense gym equipment. If this is the case, use the highest level of support for whatever you’ll be doing – so if you’ll be doing yoga (light control), cycling (medium control) and running (maximum control), select a maximum control bra.

If you are indulging in any exercise at all, a sports bra is a must-have purchase. Not only will it help maintain good posture, prevent pain and preserve the lift of your breasts when natural, it also helps preserve modesty. Sports bras may not be attractive or sexy, but using one when exercising will allow you to continue to be so in the rest of your life.