The Fitness Support System: Why Sports Bras Are Essential

Staying motivated to work out is hard enough as it is, but for many women, it is made all the more unpleasant because of discomfort in the chest area. In fact, a good deal of ladies who would otherwise love to exercise hate it because of this discomfort.

Luckily, there is an easy fix. Sports bras give women the support that they need during exercise. When you find a great sports bra that fits well, most of your exercise woes will go out the door.

Below are a few tips on how you can find the best sports bra possible to exercise in.

Size Comes First

The most important aspect of any sports bra is size. If you aren’t wearing the right size bra, you won’t receive maximum support. Your best bet is to talk to an expert fitter at your local department store. If you can’t find one, websites like amazon.com provide handy “bra finder” tools.

Compression or Encapsulation

One of the main differences between sports bra varieties is the style of the cup they have. The two most common cup types are compression and encapsulation. Compression sports bras work best for those with smaller breasts (A to B). On the other hand, encapsulation sports bras should be the first choice for women with larger breasts. When it comes to outdoor gear and exercise gear, one of the most important factors for women is the sports bra cup style.

Pullover or Back Clasps

Another primary difference between sports bras is the way they are held in place. The two options available are pullover and back clasping. Pullover style sports bras offer more support for the back but sacrifice adjustability and frontal support. Though they work great for low to moderate impact exercises, back clasps are the best bet for women with larger breasts. The clasp allows you to tighten the bra’s band, increasing overall support.

Racerback or Wide Straps

Your final decision to make when buying a sports bra is whether you want it to be a racerback or a wide strap. Both types of bras have their pros and cons when it comes to working out. A racerback bra cinches in the back which provides more support for your breasts. Wide strap sports bras help distribute weight across your upper body more efficiently. Racerbacks are great for girls with smaller chests while wide straps should be the go-to for larger-breasted women.

Choosing a sports bra is a process that you shouldn’t rush through. Taking the time to find the best bra for your body is the key to being comfortable while working out. Take the three options above into consideration while trying on bras. Better yet, find an expert fitter who knows what they’re doing so you can find the absolute best bra possible. And, above all, don’t rush! The more sports bras you try on, the better idea you will have of what type you need.