Back in a Training Bra Again

Sports bras: Support levels

The same sports bra type isn't ideal for every workout, either, Ottesen explained. Why? Lower impact activities don't require as much compression while higher impact activities need bras with more constrictive support. When it comes to shopping for the best sports bra, then, you'll find they're generally separated by support level, explained Kim Brennecke, vice president of active design at Old Navy. Although there's no "industry standard" for each level, many retailers break activities into these groups and recommend specific workouts for each bra. "Sports bra styles run the gamut, from cross-backed and front-closed to racerback and wide-strapped, but generally, picking a bra based on impact level is key," O'Connor said.

Low impact bras are made from lighter materials ideal for walking, yoga, stretching and lounging. "Usually, the lower support bras will be less built-out with narrow or decorative straps," said Brennecke. "These bras are best for activities that don't have a lot of sudden movements, such as barre, pilates and yoga."
Medium impact bras are great for slightly more intense workouts or activities including cycling, skiing, cross-training and weight training.
High impact bras are ideal for high-intensity movements like running, jumping and horseback riding. Just remember, "the more bounce, the more support needed," O'Connor said. Bras that fall within this category will also have more moving parts built into them. "They have more coverage, either through wider straps or a higher neckline with the intent to offer the most resistance to sudden movement, which is great for HIIT [an acronym for high-intensity interval training] or jogging," said Brennecke.

Since different exercises put unique demands on the body, they require different equipment. "Would we wear high heels to play basketball? Go for a run in clogs?" said Lisa Lindahl, co-inventor of the first sports bra and author of "Unleash The Girls." "When we have the proper equipment, it makes the experience not only more pleasant, it makes us better at it — and the proper equipment can also make the activity safer."

What are the best sports bras?

Remember, there isn't a single bra on the market that works well for all wearers. "The vast array of body types and running gaits means that even '5-star' sports bras have customers who won't rate it highly because it won't fit their particular body well," Tempesta told us. When deciding on the final option, keep in mind that a sports bra should feel supportive but not like it is strangling you, added Elyse Kaye, founder of Bloom Bras. "It should feel like a lift, not a squish," she said.

Best sports bras: Low impact

1. Lululemon Flow Y Bra Nulu Light Support

This light support sports bra is designed for bra cup sizes A-C and ranges in sizes 2 to 14. The Flow Y Bra uses the brand's patented Nulu fabric that's designed to be breathable and sweat-wicking, — while being able to support stretching and maintain the bra's shape through sports lycra fibre. It currently comes in 10 colors, including solids Black, Pink Puff, Blue Borealis, Grape Thistle and White and patterns Le Tigre Camo and Space Nimbus Battleship. The sports bra also features interior pockets for removable cups.

2. Old Navy Light Support Seamless Racerback Sports Bra for Women

This bestselling Old Navy sports bra features a racerback and scoop neck breathable mesh detail at the shoulder straps. The seamless jersey material is designed to help prevent chafing. The bra also uses the brand's proprietary Go-Dry moisture-wicking technology that is meant to keep you dry and comfortable during a workout. There are also removable cups inside of the sports bra.

3. Lululemon Free To Be Serene Bra Light Support

This Lululemon light impact sports bra is meant to be ideal for yoga and is best suited for C or D cup sizes, ranging in sizes 2 to 14 . The Free To Be Serene Bra features the brand's Luxtreme fabric, which is supposed to provide slick and low friction support while feeling cool to the touch. It currently comes in 12 colors, including Icing Blue, Pink Mist, Dark Red, Cafe Au Lait, Camo Deep Coal and more.

4. Athleta Exhale Bra in Powervita

The Exhale Bra in Powervita is designed for A to C cup wearers, ranging in sizes XXS to XL,and sports a mid-rise neckline with a V-strap design on the back. The Powervita fabric is meant to be breathable, sweat-wicking and quick-drying. It also has a UPF rating of 50+ for your outdoor workouts. There are 8 color options available, including Bali Green, Hearth Rose, Opaque Lilac, Orchid Pink, Grey Heather and more.

5. Athleta Conscious Crop D-DD

Athleta's Conscious Crop sports bra is best suited for cup sizes D to DD and comes in the brand's highest cut neckline available for maximum coverage. You can choose between sizes XXS to 3X. It sports the same Powervita fabric as the above Exhale sports bra, but is made from recycled polyester and lycra. There are seven colors available, but only three are fully in stock in all sizes including Just Dance Black/Grey, Black Camo and Just Dance Ballerina Gown.

Best sports bras: Medium impact

6. Old Navy Medium Support Powersoft Sports Bra

This Old Navy sports bra provides medium support for A to C cup sizes and only light support for D or DD sizes. It's available in sizes XS to XXL. The brand's Powersoft fabric is meant to provide light compression and a smooth feel, with 4-way stretch to move around in. There's also a mesh lining to provide ventilation and breathability during your workout. It comes in six colors at the moment, including White Zebra, Inky Marbled and Black Jack.

7. SHEFIT The Flex Sports Bra

Equipped with the brand's signature moisture-wicking material, this sports bra is designed to keep you cool and dry while working out. It's available in sizes XS to 6X. For those who don't need maximum support, the Flex is a viable option as the seam-free cups allow you to move freely. Uniquely, the sports bra molds the cups to fit all body types with its patented Zip. Cinch. Lift technology. There are five colors available: Black, Blush, Aloud, Buff and Onyx.

8. Old Navy Medium Support Strappy Sports Bra

Old Navy offers another sports bra that provides medium support for A to C cups and ranges in sizes XS to XXL. With its wide shoulder straps and cross-back design, it is ideal for spin class and strength sessions. Like other models above, it features moisture-wicking technology to keep you comfortable and dry. The bra is available in six colorways, including Khaki Cheetah and Gray Camo.

9. Lululemon Energy Bra Medium Support

If you enjoy higher impact activities like running and boxing, this Lululemon sports bra is a good option for B to D cups and comes in sizes 2 to 14. The bra comes with light, removable cups designed to provide low-friction support. With its added Lycra fibre for stretch and shape retention, it's meant to keep everything in without being constricting. It currently comes in 12 colors, including Dew Green, Wild Mint, Golden Apricot and more.

10. Lululemon Ebb to Train Bra

This medium support bra is meant for both C and D cups and comes in sizes 2 to 12. It features minimal seams in order to reduce the chance of chafing — it's made with a moisture-wicking, four-way stretch fabric. There are interior pockets for optional cups. It currently comes in five colors, including Dew Green and Smoked Spruce.

Best sports bras: High impact

11. Molly T Sports Bra (limited availability)

Molly T's sports bra is customizable to fit your body and workout routine. Rather than pulling the bra over your head, you can create the perfect fit by pulling the adjustable strap across your chest. The fit allows for custom compression directly over your body — you can switch between low and high impact without switching your sports bra. The versatile bra equips classic sports bra features like a fabric designed to be sweat-wicking and antimicrobial as well as soft cups.

12. Fabletics Belle High Impact Sports Bra

This criss-cross sports bra from Fabletics has more than 3,300 ratings,earning an average 4.5-star rating. It's available in sizes XXS to 4X. It's equipped with adjustable straps and an adjustable closure. The sports bra is available in Black, Brick/Ochre and Electric Violet/Sky Purple.

13. Old Navy High Support Cross-Back Sports Bra

For more support during high impact workouts, this bestselling Old Navy sports bra is designed with wide shoulder straps and an elasticized hem. It's available in sizes XS to XL. The bra includes a keyhole cutout at the back as well. It currently comes in four colors, including Black Jack and Violet Howl.

14. SHEFIT Ultimate Sports Bra

Shefit's highest impact bra is made to provide maximum support for all shapes and sizes, ranging from cup size A to I and letter sizes XS to 6X. This sports bra is ideal for high-intensity workouts — it has a front zipper for a fully adjustable, comfortable fit with little to no bouncing as you work out. The 2-way wear step configuration (X-back or H-back) allows for individualized comfort and support. It's available in colors like Black, White, Sandstorm and more.

15. Lululemon Run Times Bra High Support

The padded straps, soft underband and crossable strap of this Lululemon bra make it ideal for avid runners with cup sizes B to E. Sizes range from 32B to 40DD. With its perforated paneling and sweat-wicking fabric, it is designed to give you support, separation and coverage for all things high-intensity, from running to HIIT and beyond. The high support bra is available in the following colors: True Navy, Black, Smoked Spruce, Red Merlot and Rhino Grey

16. Athleta Advance Bra

This high impact option from Athleta goes from 32B up to a size 40DD. Designed for high impact workouts, the molded cups provide encapsulation support to keep everything in place. The bra also has a hook-and-eye closure to make it easy to slip on and off. While it's a criss-cross back, the straps are fully adjustable for a customized fit. It's available in six colors, including Agate Purple, White and Orchid Pink.

Sports bras: Compression, encapsulation and combination

Within each of the sports bra support levels we outlined above, there's a variety of styles and design features. But, in general, there are three main types you'll encounter: compression sports bras, encapsulation sports bras and combination sports bras.

Compression sports bras

This is the quintessential sports bra that you pull over your head, ideal for higher-impact activities. It doesn't have individual cups, but rather controls movement by compressing breast tissue close to the body and distributing the weight across your chest. "The idea is it essentially squishes or 'compresses' your boobs together, holding them in one place to keep them from bouncing up and down," said Danielle Cote, Pure Barre's director of training operations.

Encapsulation sports bras

Recommended for lower-impact workouts, the encapsulated style lifts and separates. Like everyday bras, this type features two separate cups that control movement, equally distributing the weight within each cup — they tend to offer less overall support. "A lot of women, especially larger-busted women or those with very heavy breasts, prefer this style," Cote said. She also noted how much easier it is than getting that "compression-style on and off when your skin is sticky and sweaty."

Combination sports bras

Bringing key features from both compression and encapsulation sports bras, the combination bra offers maximum support and is ideal for high impact activities — these are good sports bras for big busts. This type of bra has the molded cups of an encapsulation-style sports bra, along with compression properties. "These push your breasts against your body and keep them fixed in the space of the individual cups," Cote explained.

Sports bras: Features to shop and what to avoid

With your basic sports bra types in mind, here are some features to mind as you're scrolling through your options.

An adjustable sports bra could allow you to change things up for multiple exercises.
Don't confuse adjustability with stretchability, though. "If you reach around and pull the under band away from your back, you shouldn't be able to stretch it out more than an inch," said Tempesta. "The shoulder straps shouldn't be able to be pulled up away from the top of your shoulders more than a half inch."
Removable cups or inserts can be polarizing — many women have a strong preference for or against them. While Ottesen doesn't love them (she feels like they inevitably bunch up), Brennecke appreciates the flexibility they offer.
Molded cups offer subtle shaping and support without removable cups — and mean less seams covering the breast tissue, which can reduce chafing. However, they are more likely to absorb sweat instead of drying quickly.
Be on the lookout for moisture-wicking materials and check the tag to make sure it's labeled as a moisture-wicking fabric.

Sports bras: Misconceptions and mistakes

Chest size doesn't determine support levels. The idea that smaller-chested ladies don't need high impact bras and those with large breasts should stay away from low impact options are completely wrong. All boob sizes will benefit from support fit for various activities. It's also incorrect because each woman's body has a different composition of breast tissue, shape, and muscle, which impacts the weight and level of support they need. "I'm fairly small-chested but I do a lot of high impact workout activities that need a more compressive sports bra," said Ottesen.
You might be underestimating how much you're actually moving. According to Julia Breitwieser, the bras and swim design director at Athleta, most women are moving more than they realize in their sports bras. "A bra cup can be quite firm and supportive, but if you are in the wrong size, your breast may be moving inside the cup without the right support," said Breitwieser. "This isn't just an aesthetic or modesty concern since breast tissue can stretch and cause pain over time".
Don't overly rely on straps. Another misconception is that a majority of the support in a sports bra comes from the straps. "While straps are an important component, the chest band and cup provide the critical foundation for your bra," said Breitwieser. "Proper support in these areas will prevent pressure from being held in your shoulders."
Sports bras don't necessarily expire. "Your sports bra's lifespan depends on how you care for it," noted Breitwieser. Since heat deteriorates the spandex in your sports bra, she recommended always machine washing them on cold and hanging them to dry. Tempesta agreed, adding that dryers also make elastics wear out very quickly. "And stay away from any type of fabric softener, " she said. "They prevent the fabrics from wicking sweat."
Sports bras aren't all expensive. You don't always have to spend more to get one with a perfect fit. "I've [got] some sports bras I spent $45 [on] that I love, and I have some that I got for $9 that I love just as much," said Ottesen. "Once you find what you like in terms of fit and style, don't be afraid to look at different brands."
Jogging isn't necessarily low impact and running isn't necessarily high impact. It's important to note that jogging is actually one of the highest-impact activities on the breast, even more so than a sprint, noted Brennecke. "And the slower the jog, the more bounce you will need to solve for," she added. A runner may need a medium support bra — and not always high support. A jogger will likely need additional support in their sports bra.
Everyday bras and sports bras have different sizes. You can't assume your usual bra size will translate in the world of sports bras and the sizing even varies within a brand. Differences in the under band fabrics' stretch contributes to this sizing inconsistency. "For cup volume, there isn't an industry standard for how much volume cups should hold," said Tempesta. "This is exacerbated in sports bras because they are generally made with compressed cups and tighter under bands so it makes the likelihood of your usual size fitting you even less likely."

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Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/select/shopping/best-sports-bra-ncna1233179