Choosing the Right Bra > Sports Bra

This is bad news, considering that any excessive breast movement puts a huge strain on the ligaments that hold the breasts in place, causing them to stretch, and resulting in long-term sagging.

To stay in shape, a well-designed sports bra is as essential as a good pair of trainers; an everyday bra doesn't give enough support during exercise. Sports bras are specially designed to allow complete freedom of movement while holding you firmly in place, and are made from specialized fabrics that channel moisture away from the skin to the outside of the fabric. They come in different shapes and levels of activity, and include seamless cups for a natural outline, racer backs, and cotton-rich materials that allow the skin to breathe.

Sports bras do more than offer full support: they also stop your breasts from moving during athletic activity. Breast tissue is very delicate and needs to be protected during high impact exercise. Even women with smaller breasts should invest in a good sports bra if they take part in physical activities or participate in sports.

Put the bra on. You'll have three choices: pulling it on over your head, fastening it in front, and closing it in the back. It should feel comfortable when you put it on. Large-breasted women should check that there's no pressure on the shoulders.

Inspect how the bra is built. There should be no exposed metal or hardware, which will irritate by the end of your workout. Quality bras have plush lining surrounding all metal pieces.

Jump up and down to gauge movement. Women up to an average D cup are best off with a compression bra, while full Ds need an encapsulation bra to minimize movement.

Avoid

• Underwire style
• ajustable straps
• lace, which becomes embedded in the skin
• bra fastener that can cause itching and scratching

Opt to

• Wire free
• a stretchy, breathable fabric
• larger straps
• a medium-sized bottom band - too narrow and it inhibits breathing; too wide and it tends to roll up
• seamless or molded bra
• The sports bra... the indispensable for your workouts.