Supplements, your diet, and the type of exercises you do are closely related to improving your performance. However, one thing that should not be overlooked in this concept of maximising your workout benefits is the importance of the right clothes.
Workout clothes are just as important as the supplements and food you consume, because they are closely related to your comfort. The truth is that too-tight or too-loose clothes can limit your movements and even cause extreme pain and discomfort if too tight. This is especially true for women’s sports bras, which can be quite tight due to their elastic bands, making it hard for women to breathe. Literally! Avoiding this is super easy; you just need to consider a few important factors and make the right choice – simple as that!
Why Choose Sports Bras?
Although some women may not consider these workout clothing pieces a necessity, the truth is that they are very much needed for a number of reasons. First of all, supportive workout bras increase comfort by reducing breast movement, which literally reduces any signs of pain and discomfort. And secondly, they can protect breast tissue from strain and long-term damage. All of this can certainly lead to feeling more comfortable, which, in turn, helps you focus more on your workouts and doing them right.
How Do I Choose the Right Sports Bra?
Choose the Right Size
Choosing the right size of this bra is just as important as choosing the size for your regular bra. Because sports bras are made from different materials and include an underband, they may feel a bit snug at first, but this doesn’t mean they run smaller. You definitely shouldn’t size down, because the bra might get looser as you wear and wash it. Wearing a smaller size won’t only make you feel uncomfortable and out of breath, but it may also cause you pain in the places where it’s too tight.
When shopping for the right one, choose the size you normally wear in your everyday bra. If the sizes are labelled differently from the ones of your regular bra, measure yourself around the rib cage (under your bust area) and round to the closest number. Once done, compare it to the numbers on the sizing chart, and choose the right size.
Think of the Underband
The underband of a sports bra is often overlooked, but it’s actually the most important part. This flat elastic is designed to go around the back, and its goal isn’t to provide you with a better appearance, but to give you the necessary breast support while you run and exercise. Said in simple words, their goal is to keep your breasts in place while you exercise, and this can lead to reduced feelings of discomfort and pain in the breasts.
A good and quality sports bra should have an underband that doesn’t stretch, and even if it can, it shouldn’t be more than 5 centimetres. The chosen bra should have an underband that sits comfortably without digging into your ribs or the sides. In other words, the underband should allow you to breathe comfortably regardless of your activity.
Check the Cups
The cups should fit you well if you want to get the support you need. In case your breasts spill out of the sides or top of the cups, this means that you have chosen the wrong size, and the chances that you’ll feel discomfort as you move are huge. Unfortunately, wearing the wrong bra or cup size can cause discomfort and prevent you from performing at your best.
Finding the right cup is similar to choosing the cup size you wear in your regular bra. The first step is to determine your bust size, which can be found by measuring the fullest part of your bust and rounding it up. To find the right cup size, subtract the underband size from the bust size, and you’re done. The next step is to follow the manufacturer’s sizing chart and choose the one that best matches your measurements.
Choose a Bra with Firm Shoulder Straps
The shoulder straps of these workout bras should be firm but comfortable, and they should never dig into the skin. The most interesting thing you should know about the straps on these sports clothing pieces is that they aren’t the ones doing all the supporting. In fact, it’s the underband that is meant to do most of the work. If you are constantly adjusting the straps during your workouts, it means that the bra doesn’t provide you with the needed support, and you’ll need to choose a new one. That’s why measuring your underbust and bust area is essential for choosing the right size.