How to Buy a Sports Bra

I accidentally ran across this info and wanted to share it. Many don't realize how difficult and stressful something like this can be.
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How to buy a sport's bra

It's been more than 20 years since Hinda Miller and a friend went to their campus bookstore, bought two jockstraps and sewed them together to create the world's first sports bra.

Not many women would look back nostalgically on that era. The early sports bras were, in the words of Dr. Bryant Stamford, of the Health Promotion and Wellness Centre at the University of Louisville, "as welcome as an albatross around the neck, and about as attractive. Because it was tailored only for small-breasted women, it flattened the breasts and provided all the comfort of a boa constrictor."

Two decades later, Brandi Chastain showed the world exactly how far the garment had come, stripping off her shirt after scoring the final goal of the Women's World Cup to reveal a sleek Nike product that was both fashionable and utilitarian. Sports bras had come out of the closet.

Writing in the journal Physician and Sportsmedicine, Dr. Stamford makes the rather obvious observation that vigorous physical activity causes a woman's breasts to bounce. This action, he notes, can compromise the skin and ligaments that provide the fragile support structure for breasts, resulting in sagging. An everyday bra, plain and simple, is incapable of preventing the bouncing.

The solution, therefore, is the sports bra. Their recent prominence, however, makes the task of choosing the ideal sports bra more difficult, since the number of options has increased markedly - as has the hype, with many products making rather dubious claims.

"Finding the right sports bra is a serious decision," writes Lisa Sorrentino, the Fit X-pert at Xchrom.com. "It's just as important as wearing the right running shoes."

Here, then, are some of the key aspects to consider before purchasing a sports bra:

FIT
A crucial criterion, obviously. The bra must fit in such a manner as to control breast motion without causing discomfort or any difficulty breathing. Dr. Stamford urges you to give the bra "the jumping-jack test" to be sure it is up to snuff. The entire upper body should move as one unit, he says.

Ms. Sorrentino advises that women learn and, more importantly, accept their bra size. Taking your measurements is a good start, she says. The majority of the problems with poor fitting bras are about wearing the wrong size. Accept yourself. If you've always wanted to be a C cup, but you measure out a B (or vice versa), get the B size. Don't buy the size you wish you were." And take note - your size in a normal bra might not be exactly the same in a sports bra.

SUPPORT AND CONTROL
There are two types of sports bras: the "encapsulation version", which has molded cups and provides firm support, and the "compression' type", which flattens the breasts against the body. The experts agree that larger-breasted women are usually better off with the molded-cup models, especially those that feature minimal neck- to-navel stretch in the fabric. That said, some women find that depending on the activity they're engaging in, and the amount of vertical movement it demands, they may need to own two different types of sports bras. Ms. Sorrentino also warns women to be on the lookout for "dead bra" - the moment when the fabric loses its functionality. "If you hand wash and line dry your sports bra instead of machine handle, it will last about twice as long." she observes. On average, a machine-handled sports bra will last about six months. (Chafing, by the way, is a typical complaint of women who use sports bras, and it's a problem that can be solved in part by ensuring minimal movement of the breasts within the bra. "Those with sensitive skin might want to apply Vaseline, or, better yet, a fabric-friendly product like Bodyglide between you and your sports bra," Ms. Sorrentino suggests.

FABRIC
The goal here is to prevent sweat from accumulating, and this is best accomplished with a bra that's a blend of at least 50 per cent cotton and a "breathable" material (such as Lycra mesh). Dr. Stamford points out that "cotton provides more comfort than synthetic materials, reduced stretch, and greater support." It is also widely advised to ensure the bra is lined under the arms and the breasts with a material that "wicks away" moisture.

SEAMS
Here's a manufacturing detail you probably wouldn't concern yourself with when shopping for a bra, but would later lament if it proves painful to you. Although the quality of sports bras has in general improved in recent years, some still have poorly placed seams that can irritate or promote chafing. The solution: look for cups that are seamless (or have covered seams) and insist on hooks or fasteners that are covered with fabric and cushioned for maximum protection.

STRAPS
Again, something you might not worry about in the store - but don't overlook the fact that straps can interrupt your physical activity and prove a real nuisance when they slip. "Choose wide non-stretch stretch straps for best results," Dr. Stamford recommends. "In addition, a wide Y-back panel can help increase support." Some sports bras offer a two-hook back for an adjustable fit.

APPEARANCE
Hey, we all want our sports bras to look good and fashionable, especially those who figure on wearing the bra on its own without a shirt. That said, don't fall into the trap of buying on looks alone. If the bra doesn't meet the other criteria, you won't want to keep wearing it, no matter how stylish.


http://www.caaws.ca/girlsatplay/stuff/features/bra.htm
Reprinted from the Ottawa Citizen