This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UW Stout chapter.
One of the most important investments for a girl to make when buying workout clothes is a good sports bra. There are many important aspects to look for in a bra to insure you have the most support for your workout. Here is a guide to help find the right fit for you:
Support
When looking for a new sports bra it is important to know how much support you are looking for. The three main groups are: maximum support, high support, and medium support.
- Maximum Support: These are most useful for high-intensity workouts to make sure you aren’t bouncing all over. Some activities that are intense include: running, basketball, and aerobics.
- High Support: This type of bra is supportive for cross-training workouts. Some activities include: tennis, cycling, and soccer.
- Medium Support:This type of bra is best for low impact workouts. Some activities include: walking, Pilates, and yoga.
Finding Your Fit Tips
- Wide shoulder straps are more comfortable on your shoulders and provide more overall support.
- Complete coverage is essential in finding the right sports bra. You don’t want anything hanging and making you uncomfortable during a workout.
- Comfortable breathing is important when trying a sports bra on. If you can’t breathe trying it on, it will make it more difficult when you are working out.
- Comfort when you move is also a key element. Move around in the bra to make sure it doesn’t rub or pinch your skin.
- Moisture-wicking fabric helps absorb the sweat as you workout. This also helps prevent rashes from sweat build up.
- Compression bras are best for women with smaller cup sizes. They do not have specific bra sizes and often slide over your head.
- Encapsulation bras are similar to everyday bras. They are designed for women who have larger cup sizes.