A good-fitting sports bra reduces breast movement, and unnecessary bouncing, and will not distract you from crushing your favourite workouts. On the other hand, an ill-fitting bra can be a nuisance and can even lead to soreness, chafing, breast pain, and soft tissue damage.
For some women, pain and discomfort from wearing the wrong type of bra can significantly reduce the quality and effectiveness of workouts. Finding the right sports bra isn’t exactly rocket science, but in this guide, we’ll list down some useful tips so that you can find the right sports bra for your size and activities.
What Makes a Great Sports Bra: A Detailed Guide
Since bra sizing is not uniform across all sports bra companies and there are no universal standards when it comes to sports bras, it is imperative that you check out several brands, sizes, and styles from reputable brands, until such time that you find one that is right for you.
Sports Bra Types
There are three general types of sports bra, so it is best to select one that matches your bra size. Yes, indeed! There are three kinds of sports bras in the activewear category. You must choose from compression, encapsulated, and combination sports bras.
Here are a few tips when choosing between the three types of sports bras:
- If you have small breasts, experts recommend using compression sports bras.
- If your workouts are high intensity, choose an encapsulated sports bra.
- For optimal support and adequate compression, choose a combination sports bra.
Choose a Sports Bra with Adjustable Straps
While pullover bras are convenient, they lose their elasticity over time. While you can still wear them, you won’t get the right amount of support from them. Adjustable straps allow you to choose the right type of support based on the activity that you are about to undertake.
Select a bra that matches your cup size
Sports bras come in generic sizes, like small, medium, and large. However, if you’re looking for optimal support, you must step beyond generic sizing. Look for an activewear brand that offers more specific cup sizing to ensure you don’t encounter issues such as spillage or inadequate support.
If you are looking for a multi-purpose sports bra that you can wear for workouts and lounging around, take a look at this KG Lounge Crop Top. It’s a combination sports bra that delivers maximum support for light workouts. To ensure that you get the most out of this premium sports bra, make sure to choose one that accurately reflects your bra size.
Check for sports bras with the right bands and panels
If you are unsure what the multiple bands and panels do in your sports bra, we will give you a bit of a refresher. The bottom band of your sports bra provides the needed support to hold your breast from below. The side panels and those found at the back ensure your breasts do not spill over during physical activity. Plus, these features ensure that you get a good-fitting bra to wear for physical activities, regardless of intensity.
By rule, you should be able to pull the bottom band of your sports bra for at least half an inch. You want a sports bra that isn’t too tight or too loose. The same can be done when checking out the side and back panels of your sports bra.
For instance, this simple yet elegant Ribbed Seamless Sports Bra has wide bands at the bottom, ensuring you receive adequate support during light to medium-intensity workouts.
Choose a bra with moisture-wicking properties
Naturally, you are going to sweat during your workouts. If you don’t look for a sports bra with breathable fabric and moisture-wicking properties, you will end up in an uncomfortable situation, soaking in your own sweat. In worse cases, you may even end up with chafing and rashes due to the prolonged exposure to sweat.
Choose a sports bra made from lightweight and breathable material. Ideally, choose a bra that is made from sweat-wicking fabrics such as this Seamless Sports bra by Kate Galliano. It does an excellent job of providing your breasts with optimal support with its thick straps and wide bands at the bottom. It also has removable bra pads if you wish to increase or decrease the amount of support based on your workouts.
Don’t forget to invest in low-impact and high-impact bras
There are a variety when it comes to your sports bras. Not all sports bras are meant to be worn for all types of activities. If your workouts involve low-impact activities such as Pilates, Barre, and Yoga, we highly recommend low-impact bras. On the other hand, for high-impact or high-intensity activities such as running, lifting weights, and CrossFit, a high-impact bra is more fitting, providing you with maximum support from start to finish.
For more stylish and versatile sports bras and other activewear styles, check out our impressive collection at Kate Galliano. For enquiries or to check the availability of certain items, you may contact us by dropping us a message here.
