A properly fitted, high-quality bra can significantly increase your comfort during exercise. In fact, a study completed by the University of Portsmouth in England proved a direct correlation between a properly fitted bra and a reduction in breast pain. This is especially true regarding sports bras. Of course, choosing the right sports bra will also greatly affect the way your activewear tops look and shape your body. Therefore, getting the fit right is vastly important. Thankfully, we have done the legwork for you and compiled the following helpful information on how to find a sports bra that fits just right:
What to Look For in Sports Bra Fit
It’s easy to determine if your yoga apparel fits you properly but determining proper sports bra fit isn’t always as straightforward. Remember, an ill-fitting bra is not only unhelpful, but it's also extremely uncomfortable. So, what do you need to look for regarding your sports bra fit? Consider the following elements:
- The Band: The band of your sports bra should provide support, so it can’t be too loose. If you find your band riding up your back, it’s too loose, and this indicates you need to reduce your bra size. Conversely, if you notice the band digging into your back, it’s too tight, increase the size of the band. The band should feel snug, not tight. This is the proper fit.
- The Cups: If your cup has extra room on the sides that kinda puff out, your cup is too big and you need a smaller-sized cup. If your breasts aren’t fully contained and spilling out to the sides, your cup’s too small. You want the cup to fit around your breasts completely, with no overflow.
Types of Sports Bras For Different Activities
After settling on a bra fit, it’s time to move to the right amount of support for your sport or activity. Sports bras aren’t all created the same, and the support you need will vary from activity to activity. Consider the difference between adequate support when you run in a sports bra with women’s activewear tank tops versus when you practice yoga. The style, such as tank-top or racerback style, will also vary, depending on your breast size and your preferences. It’s a bit of trial and error in most cases to figure out what works best for you. The following is a general breakdown of various levels of activity and how they correlate with sports bra support demands and breast size according to Adidas:
A-Cup |
B-Cup |
C-Cup |
D-Cup |
E-Cup |
|
Low Impact (walking, weightlifting, yoga) |
Light Support |
Light Support |
Light Support |
Medium Support |
High Support |
Medium Impact (dance, skiing, cycling) |
Light Support |
Medium Support |
Medium Support |
High Support |
High Support |
High Impact (HIIT, running) |
Medium Support |
Medium Support |
High Support |
High Support |
High Support |
What Does High, Medium and Light Support Mean?
High support sports bras have wide straps and wide bands, with compression cups. Medium support includes your racerback straps, with compression cups and a pullover design. Light support sports bras include narrow straps, stretchy material, and removable cups. Of course, there is a great deal of options even among the support styles, materials, cup support, and compression options.
If you are like most women, you simply have to try out several types of sports bras to find one that is your ideal combination of support and style. However, hopefully, the above information will at least help you narrow down your options and make the decision process easier.