What is a sports bra?
A sports bra is an undergarment designed for women to wear during exercise or any physical vigorous activity. These bras are much tighter and restrictive than normal bras because they are tight, but are generally made from stretchy fabrics to allow for movement.
Why wear a sports bra?
As there are no muscles in your breasts, without good support they will bounce during exercise which is uncomfortable. Prolonged exercise without appropriate support can also have longer term effects like a permanent droop of the bust. To make up for this lack of natural support you should wear a sports bra.
How do sports bras work?
Sports bras work by pressing the bust close to the rib cage and reducing movement. It must have full coverage to provide the correct support.
What makes a good sports bra?
A good sports bra is made of a fabric that is both comfortable and absorbant. The inside of the bra should be smooth against your skin to reduce abrasions, no rough seams. The straps of the bra should be fairly rigid to reduce bounce. The band under the bust should be firm around your body, this will prevent the bra from riding up.
Does it fit?
As I have mentioned above a good sports bra should fit firmly under the bust to stop it riding up. In addition to this all of your bust should be in the cup with no bulges around the edges. The shoulder straps should be tight but not to the point of digging in.
The best way to test whether a bra fits is to do the ‘bounce test’, if it feels comfortable whilst bouncing, it fits.
Here is some additional information on bra fitment.
How to find your bra brand measurements? Using a soft tape measure, measure your rib cage just under your bust. Make sure you are wearing a non padded bra when doing this to get an accurate measurement. This chart will then convert that measurement into the correct bra size for you:
| Band Size (cm) |
63-67 |
68-72 |
73-77 |
78-82 |
83-87 |
88-92 |
93-97 |
98-102 |
103-107 |
| Bra Size |
30 |
32 |
34 |
36 |
38 |
40 |
42 |
44 |
46 |
Now to find your cup size. Again measuring in centimetres measure around the fullest part of your bust. Ensure the tape measure is level at the front and back. Then take that size and combined with the bra size you have found above you can find your cup size.
| Bra Size |
30 |
32 |
34 |
36 |
38 |
40 |
42 |
44 |
46 |
| AA Cup |
75-77 |
80-82 |
85-87 |
90-92 |
95-97 |
100-102 |
|
|
|
| A Cup |
77-79 |
82-84 |
87-89 |
92-94 |
97-99 |
102-104 |
107-109 |
112-114 |
|
| B Cup |
79-81 |
84-86 |
89-91 |
94-96 |
99-101 |
104-106 |
109-111 |
114-116 |
191-121 |
| C Cup |
81-83 |
86-88 |
91-93 |
96-98 |
101-103 |
106-108 |
111-113 |
116-118 |
121-123 |
| D Cup |
83-85 |
88-90 |
93-95 |
98-100 |
103-105 |
108-110 |
113-115 |
118-120 |
123-125 |
| DD Cup |
|
90-92 |
95-97 |
100-102 |
105-107 |
110-112 |
115-117 |
120-122 |
125-127 |
| E Cup |
|
92-94 |
97-99 |
102-104 |
107-109 |
112-114 |
117-119 |
122-124 |
127-129 |
| F Cup |
|
94-96 |
99-101 |
104-106 |
109-111 |
114-116 |
119-121 |
124-126 |
129-131 |
How long should it last?
As a general rule of thumb a sports bra should be replaced after around 100 uses, or a year. This way the elastic is sure to be in good shape.
Click here to view our full range of sports bras.
|
