Have you ever headed out for a long run or fitness class and realized within minutes that you were going to spend the entire workout thinking about the loose straps or crooked cups of your unsupportive sports bra? If so, then he knows his sports bra can really make (or break) his workout. In an ideal scenario, the best sports bra may be your best tool to help you think less about rebound-induced breast pain and instead focus on running your best mile yet. But what makes the ultimate sports bra? We turn to the pros for tips, tricks, and answers to all your questions when it comes to finding the best sports bra.
What is the difference between a high, medium and low impact sports bra?
Personal trainer and certified fitness trainer Nikka Saadat tells Seventeen that it’s important to figure out what level of impact you need, and that the best way to determine what you need is to ask yourself how much “bounce” (i.e. breast movement) you have. I am trying to counter.
“High-rebound movements like jumping, running, basketball, or volleyball mean that a high-impact sports bra will be your best bet for proper support. Bicycling, walking, or dancing can be a medium-impact, medium-bounce activity, while activities like weightlifting, yoga, or walking require low-impact bras because there may be little or no bounce.”
What are compression vs encapsulation sports bras?
When you’re looking for your perfect sports bra, you’ll want to identify whether you’re looking for compression, encapsulation, or both. Paige Perez, Senior Activewear Designer at Adore Me, explained to Seventeen that compression bras do exactly what they sound like: they compress the breasts through a pullover bra that’s ideal for low- to medium-intensity activities. Encapsulation bras, on the other hand, are usually cup sized to shape your chest without the “uni-boob” look for even the highest impact workouts. “There are also bras that have a combination of compression and encapsulation,” says Pérez. “These sports bras tend to go over the head, but they have individual cups for each breast and offer great support and comfort.”
How do I check if my sports bra fits me?
Not sure if your current favorite sports bras are perfect? First of all, you’ll want to make sure they fit properly. “A general rule of thumb is to check if you can slide two fingers between the band and your chest, same for shoulder straps. The rear band must be at the same level all the way around. If it rides up, then the bra is too big,” Pérez explains. We recommend doing a trial run to see if it’s time to replace some of your older sports bras that may have become too loose.
And if it’s been more than 6 months of consistent wear of your sports bra, that could be another indicator that it’s time to replace it. According to Kelli Dugan, director of merchandising and design at Fabletics, “If you start to see the straps or elastic on your sports bra stretching, it’s time for a refresh.” She continues, “If you change your bust or bra size, you need to get new sports bras that better fit your current body. Our bodies are constantly changing and we need to update our sports bras to support that.”
So whether your goal is to channel cute sports vibes on your way to low-impact Pilates or wear She-Hulk while weight training and running, we’ve got the best sports bras for you.
Our best picks
Source: www.seventeen.com