If your everyday bra could handle all the
challenges you dish out during a workout, you wouldn’t need a sports bra! But when you’re out there pushing your body harder in all directions and asking it
to perform at a higher level, you create mega-forces on your breasts and
intensify the bounce.
Different and Distinctly Better: Just like a race car is better designed for high-speed
racing conditions than a run-of-the-mill sedan (and you would feel different
sitting in one vs. the other), your sports bra is also a high-performance, specialized ‘build’ that’s going to look,
feel and handle differently than your everyday model.
Size Matters: When it comes to picking the size of
your sports bra, the one you wear in a regular bra is a good starting point,
but feel free to head any direction, size-wise, to get the support and coverage
you want. You may go for a more
snug fit (think smaller size) in your sports model for better lockdown of breast
motion. Or if you need more
complete coverage to prevent upward surging at the neckline or spilling, you
might try moving up a cup size to get everything under wraps.
Letters vs. Numbers: You’ve
probably noticed that pullover compressive sports bras are built with enough
stretch to fit over a range of sizes and usually come in alpha (XS-S-M-L-XL)
sizing. The tricky part here can
be converting your rib/cup size (such as 34C) into an alpha size that works for
your workout. For example, depending on her individual
body and fit preferences, a 34C girl may choose a Small in one style of sports
bra (snugger for high-impact running), and a Medium (more flexible freedom) for
yoga class. Check the label size specs
as a starting point, but feel free to experiment until you get the exact comfort
and fit you want.
Be Flexible! Really, the key is being willing to
move beyond what the size label says if you need to, try on a variety of styles
and sizes, and really focus on how the bra actually feels and supports you
rather than getting hung up on label numbers. Your own opinion and experience
is what matters most.
Measuring Success
(yeah!): You will know you have found your perfect fit when the bra
feels comfortably snug, the rib band stays put when you move up and down, your
breasts are enclosed in the cups, the straps neither cut in or fall off your
shoulders, and any underwire is lying comfortably on your chest wall instead of
on your breast tissue.
If you have a
strategy that’s worked for you in zeroing in on the perfect size and
performance level of your sports bra, I hope you’ll share it with the rest of
us here!
Have an active weekend!
LaJean
