“I can't think of a good opening for this sport's bra article,” I complained to my daughter. “I have all the relevant material, but I'm not sure how to begin.”
She smiled. “What do you think about "News about Uni-boobs"? That should do it!”
I arched my eyebrows. “Uni-boobs?”
“Yeah. That's what those bras make them look like.”
I smiled and shook my head. Trying to explain to a teenager that the point of a sport's bra is not a perfect figure enhancement, but support and movement reduction in exercise seemed … well, pointless. No pun intended.
“This is serious business,” I said, suppressing a smile. “Women who don't wear sports bras …”
She held up a hand. “Don't need to know,” she interrupted. “Don't exercise.”
For those of us who do exercise, it seems sports bras are still a mystery. A study conducted by Move Active, a sports retailer in Manchester, London, found that only 41% of women between the age of 16-35 wear them when they exercise. The study showed that most of us think our everyday bra will be supportive enough in any situation.
Not true
What is true is that exercising without a sports bra can cause damage to our breasts - not just the temporary pain and chaffing associated with prolonged … ummmm …. Well, by breasts bouncing and sweating. Exercise without a sports bra can cause real damage -- permanent damage. It seems the tender skin and Copper ligaments (the connective tissues in the breast) don't take kindly to being bounced and jostled as we run, exercise or participate in our sport of choice. They break down over time, causing irreversible sagging to occur.
Sound like what you're after while you're exercising? Me, either
So how do you pick a good sports bra? First of all, go to a sports store. Department stores carry sports bras, but the variety and options may be limited, especially for some sizes. Don't be afraid to ask questions of the sales representative (although a lady rep may be more helpful and less hesitant to answer questions). Look for a cotton/Lycra® mesh blend that is really going to support your breast. The fabric will help sweat evaporate, preventing both chaffing of breasts and odor. The bra fabric should stretch both vertically and horizontally and cups should be seamless. There is lingo in the sports bra world, as in any other. These keys will help you narrow down your search. Size A-B bra wearers should look for bras that promise "compression". Wearers of size C need to find a sports bra that has "encapsulation". Size D or above need both compression and encapsulation to protect your breast as you work-out.
And, as with any clothing purchase, try on several bras (of different sizes and brands) to find the one that's right for you. The bra should be snug and supportive, but not dig into your shoulders or rib cage. It shouldn't restrict your range of motion. If you feel like you're in a cocoon or straightjacket, it's the wrong bra. Remember, this is a sports bra, so put pride aside and jog in place for a few minutes or jump up and down to test for breast support. Lean forward and feel the motion of your breast. Feel like you're still free and loose? You have the wrong sports bra.
Sports bras are a bit expensive, but be willing to bite the bullet on this purchase. (Remember - permanent damage!) If you're a first time sports bra- buyer, consider buying two different bras (the two that performed best in your "test run"). Keep track of what you do and don't like about them as you run or exercise over the next couple of months, making a final choice for "your bra" only after you've had a chance to see how they perform in the real world. Knowing what you like, and what really works best for you, will make the next trip to the sports store much quicker and easier.
Exercise and an active lifestyle is intended to improve our health and enjoyment of our time. Don't let the lack of a good sports bra be your downfall.
My daughter looked over my shoulder as I wrote the last line. “Mom,” she said, trying to hide a smile, “that's terrible.”
I agreed.
