It’s All About the Fundamentals (Part 1): A Girl Guide to Getting the Right Sports Bra
Whether it’s a sports bra, undies or shoes, finding the most supportive, flexible and durable option is a dilemma many of us face from time to time, especially at the beginning. This post is one of four that offers a guide for choosing the best foundation pieces needed for any fitness journey. Part 1 begins with a conversation on sports bras, a vital element of any fitness ensemble.
My Shopping Formula for Bras
After struggling for years to find the right fit. Through trial and error, I think I finally found the best method:
Using this formula, purchasing bras became easier. I would admit that sometimes I favoured style over cost (come on, I am a woman, lol!). But, generally, I tried to stick to that criteria.
Based on my formula, here are 5 basic rules to help you stay on track:
Rule #1 Match your attire to your routine.
It all begins with knowing the activities you intend on doing and marrying that to the type of sports bra that can help you accomplish that task.
Generally, there are 3 types of sports bras:
Encapsulation bras contain a distinct cup structure that encases and supports each breast.
Compression bras tightly hug the breasts to the chest, which effectively reduces movement.
Combination sports bras, my favourite, combine the main functions of an encapsulation and compression bra for maximum individual breast support.
With that in mind, here is the first tip.
TIP #1 Always start by categorizing your current bras or potential bras into three groups:
Group 1
HIT (high-intensity training like running and jumping),
Group 2
Gym (strength training) and
Group 3
Stretch (yoga)
DO this to help ensure that you actually get what you need when you are shopping around for a new sports bra.
Note, this is by no means an exhausted list, so feel free to add as you deem fit.
Rule #2 Get the best fit.
Support and flexibility are non-negotiable when considering purchasing a sports bra. This will ensure that your exercise experience is pain-free and injury-free.
Sadly, some of the short-term effects of poorly fitting sports bras are muscle tenderness, scarring, and pain. Let’s try to avoid these drawbacks as much as possible. Hence, DO NOT COMPROMISE ON THIS STEP even if the bra looks cute!
Hence, here are 3 other tips that can further narrow your options:
TIP #2 The broader the strap, the better the support, especially for large bust sizes.
TIP #3 Thick band sizes reduce movement, especially for HIT workouts.
TIP #4 If it spills, it’s got to go – Spillage is an indication that the bra is too small and/or may be too tight.
I am a 32DD, so, regardless of the activity, in my opinion, combination-sport bras offer the best fit for what I want to accomplish. It is a one-stop-shop for me when getting ready for any activity.
Rule #3 Choose a material that feels and performs well.
Breathable, quick-drying and light materials are also essential when exercising. The most common materials are cotton, spandex and microfiber. All of which is usually combined with some form of polyester or nylon material.
Generally, most of my workouts surpass one hour, especially for days that entail running (which could exceed two hours).
In my opinion:
Cotton (natural fibres) are very breathable but slow to dry, causes chafing, and can develop a smell relatively quickly if often worn.
Spandex and Microfiber (synthetic fibres) offer more flexibility in movement and reduce the occurrence of chafing (especially when compared to cotton bras). Microfiber material, in particular, is thin, lightweight and moisture-wicking, allowing the fabric to dry more quickly.
Microfiber is my favourite!
Rule #4 Don't get lazy when caring for your sportswear.
The wear and tear process of sports bras is tricky. There are so many factors at play when it comes to durability.
For me, at my peak, my training schedule entailed a 7-day week. Some days even require training twice a day (mornings and evenings). Hence, to extend the lifespan of my bras, I honestly had to bite the bullet and buy enough bras to have a proper rotation. I also had to invest in better quality laundry detergent.
Based on this, I recommend these 3 tips if you want to extend the life span of your sports bras, especially your favourites.
TIP #5 Try to adopt a 5:3 ratio. Meaning that for a five-day training schedule, a 3-bra rotation could suffice. And for any 2 days added (or subtracted), get 1 more bra (or you can afford one less bra). With this approach, you can have a bra for each group I mentioned earlier.
TIP #6 As much as possible, try to get laundry scent boosters or a powerful odour neutralizing laundry detergent. Personally, I like Downy (Unstopables) and Arm & Hammer (laundry scent boosters and detergent). For some, these may be a little harsh. Hence, if you have sensitive skin, select a detergent that fights odours and is gentle for your skin.
TIP #7 Soak, baby, soak! In general, soaking my sportswear before washing with a small amount of detergent has gone a long way for me.
Rule #5 Prioritize style over cost or cost over style.
Sometimes cost goes out the window when selecting that one sports bra you have to or should get. Hence, I decided to merge the cost and style criteria. With style, there are several elements to consider: straps, enclosures, cup pads and colour, etc.
Straps
Choosing the style of the straps is mostly associated with getting the right fit, the type of top (t-shirt, vest, tank top, etc.) worn over the bra and the intensity of the activity.
The most distinct variations of sports bra straps are racerback (Y), criss-cross (X) and tank tops (U).
In my opinion, for larger bust sizes and high-intensity activities, racerback sports bras are better. Criss-cross and tank top adjustable straps are my go-to’s for medium-intensity activities. And for low-intensity activities, my default selection is usually based on aesthetics (mainly what goes with my chosen outfit). As we are on aesthetics, visually, racerback and some criss-cross straps bode well for vests, while tank-top straps go well with t-shirts or sweaters.
Padding
This is another tricky subject. I prefer padding for reducing headlights (basically when my nipples are protruding), especially when I am at the gym. For me, the gym environment is usually cold. Often, I can’t be bothered. But I have also heard that padding provides a nice visual lift and plumpness. Remember I said sometimes the aesthetics is what trumps the final decision.
Enclosures (or lack of)
This relates to pullovers, zippers or clasps. I usually associate this choice with how much time I have available to get ready to workout and wear and tear. For my schedule, early morning runs and after-work training meant that I needed an efficient way to get prepared. Quick and easy pullovers eventually ended up being my go-to’s on double-backed days. Also, in my opinion, sports bras with clasps overtime would often be destroyed in the laundry process. While, for zippers, sometimes I had to get assistance to pull it up. Don’t get me wrong, zippers are, undeniably, the easiest to take off. But…
Colour
This could appear to be mostly aesthetic-based. However, you should try to make your colour choice functional and deliberate. What is your favourite colour? What is the colour of your sneakers? Think about it. Hence, start by choosing a colour that will give you maximum use. In my opinion, black sports bras are versatile, like the little black dress; they can be used for any occasion. Or, in this case, it blends well with most colours. If you are starting from scratch, I recommend that you have at least a 3:1 ratio of coloured sports bras to black sports bras in your wardrobe. Meaning, for any 3 coloured bras that you own (or buy), ensure that you have (or buy) 1 black piece. Ultimately, it is all about having an efficient wardrobe that will inspire you to workout.
Final tips and tricks...
Whether you are now starting or getting into the swing of things, it is easy to get excited and overbuy. Like all other areas of life, budgeting for fitness is also important. Stock your sports bra drawer efficiently, first. You can always splurge later.
Here is 1 TRICK I always do. Reward yourself with something that will help you achieve your next fitness goal. For me, one of these rewards used to be sports bras. This works great when you are on a budget.
This brings me to another tip.
TIP #8 Align your budget to your fitness target. I know it’s typical to factor in gym memberships or personal training. But it is essential that you also factor in your everyday basics even though it’s an item that you alone may be seeing.
I can’t go without saying, in the end, searching for the right advice or options could take several clicks or shopping trips. Hence always bear in mind, whether you are a beginner, amateur or professional:
TIP #9 Search the web for other discussions surrounding this area. There are more sophisticated approaches to getting the right sports bra. You can check these out:
or any other online source or physical store service to get the sports bra that best suits you.
My go-to brands...
To get the ball rolling, here are some of my go-to brands for sports bras are (in random order) and top picks I own or have in my shopping cart:
For high-intensity activities
Nike Women’s Victory Compression Sports Bra: 88% polyester, 12% spandex
Brooks Jubralee Sports Bra: DriLayer 75% polyester/25% spandex
For low-intensity activities
Champion Women’s Absolute Sports Bra with SmoothTec Band: 89% polyester, 11% spandex
Recap
DO ensure that you strategize before purchasing your sports bras.
DON’T forget to stick to the basics – the right fit, the best material and the style and colour that suits you, all at the most economical cost.
TIP, do as much research as you can before you make the final decision.
TRICK, reward yourself with a splurge item that will help you achieve another fitness goal.
What sports bras do you like?
Do you have additional tips for selecting the right sports bra?
How do you take care of your bras?
Let me know. This blog is a place to start conversations on content that could help anyone, beginner or otherwise.