Sports Athletic Apparel

Staff Writer

BRA-NECESSITIES

Choosing the right support for all shapes, sizes and types of
activities

Many of us don't realize the importance having a good support
system until it's too late: The sports bra.

With a lifetime in the fitness industry, numerous industry
colleagues and students in the past years have approached me
with burns, marks and cuts from straps, the type of material or
mere design of the bras they work out in. The common question I
am approached with, "What kind of sports bra do you wear?"

The following is a checklist to aid in choosing an athletic
support top that will allow people to run, jump, cycle, lift,
step, jab, kick and more without the usual and sometimes
embarrassing unnecessary comforts one gets from the wrong sports
top

STRAPS

Straps should be snug but not restrictive with sufficient
padding. Larger breasted women usually prefer racerbacks or
T-backs because they offer more support. Adjustable straps are a
growing trend. They allow you to adapt the support of the bra to
suit different activities from lifting weights in a gym, running
outside or Turbo Jam™ at home.

STYLES

Encapsulation bras have molded cups or built-in liners.
Compression bras press the breasts against the body. While A-
and B-cup athletes can wear both kinds, larger-breasted women
typically prefer encapsulation styles.

FABRIC

Look for moisture-wicking fabrics. These are typically a blend
of cotton and synthetic fibers--cotton for softness and
synthetic for dryness. Many athletic designers and brands have
developed lines of 'friction-free' bras with special fabrics
sewn into areas prone to chafing like around the nipples, over
closures and around straps systems such as "CoolMax" linings
that whisk moisture away from the skin.

ARMHOLES

Armholes should allow for a full range of movement in all
directions without pinching underneath. There should also be no
"spillage" out of the armholes.

THE GORE

This refers to the front of the bra, how high it rises from the
bust to the neck. Generally, as a woman's bust size goes up, so
should the gore. The key is to have full support and to prevent
portions of the breast from "spilling" over.

CLASPS AND CLOSURES

All seams, hooks, clasps and underwires should be covered with a
soft, moisture-wicking fabric. To avoid severe chaffing,
endurance athletes should look for bras that are seamless. These
are mostly made with a circular knit, eliminating most of the
panel seams.

Now that you know what to look for... trying them on is the next
step. It's time to go shopping and you'll find most tops are not
to heavy on the pocket book, ranging around $40 dollars.
Additionally, the following links are helpful "support groups."

http://www.championcatalog.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce/CategoryDisplay?

cgnbr=2000000000

http://www.turbowear.com/index.php?content=tanks

http://www.title9sports.com/shopping/search/searchresultsmain.jsp

?fresh=1&searchType=advanced&iMainCat=0&iSubCat=0&attribute14=0&a
ttribute15=0&attribute16=0&RS=1&keyword=sports+bra

http://www.barenecessities.com/catalog.asp?nxs=31&style=31&source

=googlea&term=sports+bras>se=GOOG>kw=sports%20bras

http://www.discountgolfshirt.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CT

GY&Category_Code=HindSB

About Chalene Johnson: Designer and owner of Powder Blue
Boutique with the latest trends in Fitwear www.turbowear.com Also, an
internationally known fitness personality and Owner of Powder
Blue Productions: The creators of Turbo Kick™, PiYo™ a fitness
minded company. Chalene and her fashions have been featured in
numerous fitness publications, newspapers and videos. For more
information about Chalene, visit www.turbokick.com or contact
800-315-2505

 

About the Author

Why do my breasts hurt after errant bra with sports?

This has occurred before, but when I run with a pinch in Sports Bulk my breasts are beginning to really pain in the nipple area. This only happens for about a bra, but during this time is extremely uncomforable of not wearing a bra. (Like when I sleep or shower) is still a little painful. I used to use 3 bra sport for the rest of the day only because more comfortable. What's going on yo?

Because instead of being well supported theyre bouncing at run if it hurts.

beautiful gal in high heels with perky nipples make out

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Under Armour Women's Duplicity Sports Bra - Softball Sports Bras $14.98 Great for mid-impact workouts. Features four-way stretch and anti-odor technology. Strategic vent zones enable the body to dump heat at key spots. A/B cup, reversible. nylon/ elastane. Imported. Womens Sizes XS - XL. Colors White/White, Black/White, Black/Elderberry.Softball Sports Bras - Softball Sports Bras

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Under Armour Women's Gotta Have It Bra - Softball Sports Bras $24.99 Plush elastic jacquard band adds support and comfort. Mid-impact A/B cup. polyester/ elastane. Imported. Womens Sizes S - XL. Colors White/White, Black/White. Softball Sports Bras - Softball Sports Bras

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