Buying A Sports Bra

What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you prepare for the game or getting ready to work out? The shoes, the workout outfit, the techniques? Although these are all very important and deciding factor in making your game or workout a success, there are some basic makers and breakers and one of the most important of them is bra. Gone are the days when you had to wear the same regular bra for working out and for playing games and all outdoor stuff too, which made the physical activity a double work in. Today is the time of sports bras, which are not only comfortable but provide great support to our breasts. Now you don’t have to suffer from un-comfort any more during any kind of physical activity. Sports bras are a must in today’s life of a physically active woman. Sports bra provides a necessary support, comfort and motion control during strenuous physical activities. There are varieties of sports bras available designed for high impact activity and made with high technology fabrics. Touted as the essential element in a women’s wardrobe, you should check for all the prerequisites before you buy it. Read on the following pointers to know how to buy a sports bra.

Image: mikebaird@flickr

How To Buy A Sports Bra

Basically, there are two different types of sports bras divided on the basis of the shape they provide, they are compression and encapsulation. Compressor is the kind of sports bra without cups, which keeps the breasts closer to the body and minimizes the motion. It gives a kind of mono-breast look and is suitable if you don’t mind the shape. Encapsulation style sports bra gives feminine shapes to the breasts and in order to give support have Velcro, snaps, and hooks in front or back. Nowadays you may even get a combo of both.
Before you buy a sports bra, make sure that you know your exact size as in sports bra too, there are some styles which doesn’t suit everybody and so knowing your size will help you buy your own style. Also while you are at the store, always try out few bras of different styles before narrowing on one.
In order to know about the bounce control you would need to figure out the amount of physical activity you would undertake. Simply put, the quicker movements the more control you would need to have. Generally, compression bras allow less movement. It usually suits smaller breasted women and even though it allows less movement, women with large bust size may find it uncomfortable and as it is worn overhead, a wrong move can trap you in odd shape.
If you have a larger cup sizes, but have smaller rib cages, you may need an encapsulation style with clasps for better comfort and support.
Women with large breasts may go for separate molded cups for good shape and support.
The bra, which you buy, should be snug fit but it should be comfortable enough so that you are able to breathe.
Also one more thing, which is important when it comes to support, is the back styles, which come in two types, traditional U-back as that of general bra, and t-back or racerback styles (where the two shoulder straps merge into one after crossing the top of your shoulders). T-style provides a better movement.
While you are buying a sports bra, check for support by pulling the straps and the bottom of the bra. If it stretches too much, it is not good for support. In addition, you can jump and stretch to see whether the bra gives, you support. Also wider elastic around the ribs usually reduce the chances of bras riding up.
In addition, you need to take care of the fabric of the bra too. Cotton may be great for other usage, but simple cotton bra would stay wet and uncomfortable. Go for a sweat-proof bra made of blended or finished polyester, polypropylene, acrylic or nylon fabric.
Never wear a bra more than a year; you need to dispose of old bras on time after it has served its purpose. They lose their support when the elastic breaks down.

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