Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or just a beginner, you deserve to feel supported and comfortable during your workout. No matter how toned your chest is, your breasts are still susceptible to tearing, since they do not contain muscle. Wearing a sports bra prevents unnecessary pain or discomfort you might feel with sagging breasts. Trust us, a great sports bra makes all the difference during a workout.
Choosing the right one seems deceptively simple, but there’s actually a lot that goes into finding a decent gym bra. From size and style to fabric and straps, there are many factors to consider. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the process of selecting a sports bra that will make your workouts even better.
Match Your Activity Level to Your Bra Top
One of the most important things to consider when shopping for women’s sports bras is activity level. Sports bras are designed to provide three different levels of support, depending on your impact level during exercise. Support can be divided into three categories: low, medium, and high. The higher the impact, the more support you need. Any exercise that involves a lot of jumping or bouncing will need a bra with more support. On the other hand, yoga bras are better for low-impact exercise like stretches. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of bra support levels:
Low Support Bras
- Best for: walking, strength training, and yoga.
- Ideal for A and B cup sizes
- Features: narrow bands, light-weight, offer light compression effect
Medium Support Bras
- Best for: hiking, skiing, cycling
- Features: Restricts breast movement more than low-support bras, wider straps
- Both compression and push up sports bras are available
High Support Bras
- Best for: high-intensity workouts, mountain biking, and running
- Features: Hook-loop closures, wider straps, restricts breast movement the most
- Ideal for D cup sizes and above
If you play a variety of different types of exercises, you’ll probably need a few different types of bras to match. It’s also a good idea to own a couple sports bras to extend their use and avoid wearing them out.
Ensure a Good Fit
Finding the right fit is crucial. Generally, your sports bra will be the same size as the size you normally wear. It should fit more snugly than your other bras, but still provide breathing room. Here are some tips to keep in mind when determining fit:
- Test the bra’s support by running in place or jumping. If there’s too much movement up and down or side to side, it’s time to keep looking.
- Make sure the cups fully contain your breasts. If you notice wrinkles or gaps in the fabric while wearing the bra, they’re probably too big. If your breasts are spilling out of the bra, you need a bigger size or a different cut that provides more coverage.
- Test the band’s fit by raising your hands up and turning around in the mirror. Check the band— is it level or riding up in the back? If you notice the latter, you need a smaller band size. The ideal size you allow to put two fingers between the band and your rib cage.
Select the Right Strap Type
You might be surprised by the variety of straps on bras for women. There are many different types out there, but we’ll just cover the basics here. First, you’ll notice when browsing for sports bras that the straps will vary in width. A wider strap provides you with more support, but some women prefer thin straps because they’re easier to conceal.
There are three main strap types to choose from: crisscross, tank top, and racerback. Crisscross bras cross over in the back, and often have adjustable straps so you can customize your fit. They’re usually found in low or medium support bras. The straps on these types of bras conceal well under a jacket or another top, or they make a nice fashion statement on their own.
Tank top sports bras are the most like every-day bras. They usually have a back closure and adjustable straps. Racerback bras have striking straps that form a “Y” shape on the back. They do a great job holding breasts in place, but some people don’t like the pressure they put on the neck. Still, these straps are a great feature for high-impact exercise.
Find High-Performance Sports Bras at Ninefit
Don’t let all the different types of bras out there scare you— choosing the right sports bra is easy with a bit of research. By understanding the main types of bras, strap styles, and what works best with your routine, you’ll find your go-to bra in no time. Whether you want a sleek black sports bra or a casual sports top, NineFit has you covered. Shop sports bras, leggings, workout equipment, and more at NineFit now.