Save Your Shape!

The Whys and Hows of Sports Bras

Every woman needs to wear a bra. But are you aware that there are different reasons to wear different types of bras? You need your everyday bra for everyday support. But you really need your sports bra to save your shape!

When deciding to make working out a priority, many women will invest in the best equipment, the best shoes, the cutest workout clothes, yet not give a second thought to their sports bras. The impact of most exercises puts a downward motion stress onto the body. Two seconds later, that same impact gives “downsnap” damage to the tissues and fibers of the breast unless a properly fitting sports bra is worn.

If your workout involves anything more than a casual walk around the block, you want know how to invest in a sports bra that will not only support you but actually save your shape. Ten or twenty years from now, you will be so glad that you took to time to research and purchase the best.

When purchasing a sports bra, you want to demand the best construction, which you will not find in a big box store or even from a sportswear manufacturer who rarely makes or sells bras beyond a “D” cup. A sports bra should fit 2-3 times more snuggly than your everyday bra and should be available in many sizes. Most good bra manufacturers will make sizes from B through “H” cups. A well-manufactured sports bra should absorb moisture, have a four-way movement capability, and correspond with the impact level of your chosen sport. (Hatha yoga is considered Level1 while horseback riding and volleyball would be rated at an impact Level 4.)

There are two main steps to purchasing your sports bra at a bra shop which offers custom fitting and a wide selection of sports bras:
1) Get fitted. A highly trained bra fitting specialist will take the measurements necessary that results in the perfect fit for you.
2) Try on several bras. Your bra should feel comfortable, but also like it is glued to you; you won’t be wearing it all day like your everyday bra. The shoulder straps should offer 360º movement with no restrictions. A correctly placed underband is 90% of the proper fit: it should be firm and horizontal and completely even all the way around. The cup should be absolutely snug, and if you are a “DD” cup or above, you will need a seamed bra for high impact.

Now that you’re controlling the “bounce,” keep your sports bra in tip-top shape by first rinsing it upon removal, then soaking it for about an hour in gentle or organic soap. Hand wash, rinse well, and line dry. Your properly fitting sports bra will last for years and save your shape!

Fitting the Small-Busted Woman

This customer can wear cups in sizes AA, A and B (and sometimes a C cup). She can have a band size from a 28 to a 36. When sizing this customer, an important consideration is if she is has a petite, adolescent, or athletic frame, as each of these has its own unique fitting requirements.

The bra should make contact at every point along the underwire; meaning that it must not bow out at the center bottom or poke forward at the top of the cup. The underwire is the framework of the garment; therefore, it should lie against the body giving the cup its shape, not be the support of the garment. The support of your garment comes from the underband. That area must be low in the back, staying even with the bottom of the underwire in the front. The entire back band should be firm and fit very snug against the back.

We find that each bra brand has a specialized fit and some styles are better for one body frame over another. For the small-busted woman, we recommend the brands Wacoal/Wacoal Petite, Chantelle, Le Mystere and Grenier.

Fitting the Full-Figured Woman

The full-figured woman can be a B, D, F or GG cup. It is the band size of 38 and beyond that makes her a full figure size. More and more manufacturers are designing great support bras and fashionable bras for the full-figured woman!

The bra should make contact at every point along the underwire; meaning that it must not bow out at the center bottom or poke forward at the top of the cup. The underwire is the framework of the garment; therefore, it should lie against the body giving the cup its shape, not be the support of the garment. The support of your garment comes from the underband. That area must be low in the back, staying even with the bottom of the underwire in the front. The entire back band should be firm and fit very snug against the back. This is where 90% of your support is coming from and proper fit takes pressure off the shoulders! For the full-figured woman, we recommend a wide underband that will help anchor the bra. With the wider band, the pressure from a firm band is then spread along a larger area giving the wearer more comfort.

Our extensive custom bra fitting experience has taught us that each bra brand has a specialized fit and some styles are better for one body frame over another. For the full-figured woman, we recommend the brands elomi, Goddess, Anita and Prima Donna.

Fitting the Full Busted Woman

The full-busted woman can have a band size of 42, 36, 34, or even 30. However, it is actually a cup size of DD or larger that makes her “full-busted”. Today, many manufacturers, especially in Britain, finally recognize this customer.

A properly fitting bra for the full-busted woman should make contact at every point along the underwire; meaning that it must not bow out at the center bottom or poke forward at the top of the cup. The underwire is the framework of the garment; therefore, it should lie against the body giving the cup its shape, not be the support of the garment. The support of your garment comes from the underband. That area must be low in the back, staying even with the bottom of the underwire in the front. The entire back band should be firm and fit very snug against the back. This is where 90% of your support is coming from and proper fit takes pressure off the shoulders!

We find that each bra brand has a specialized fit and some styles are better for one body frame over another. For the full busted woman we recommend the brands Fantasie, Panache, Prima Donna, Anita, Chantelle, Freya, Fayreform and Jeunique.