by shell barker, owner of shell lingerie, bespoke bra fitting service
Sports Bras are for sports — Obvious, right? If you wear a sports bra every day, you might be missing the mark. It’s important to know the difference. If your sports bra feels super soft and comfortable, it’s likely not providing the support you need. Many women mistake lounge bras or non–wired crop tops for sports bras. Let’s explore the differences and why you might want to reconsider your choices.
Lounge Bras
A lounge bra is designed for comfort while lounging or engaging in low–impact activities, generally around the home. Lounge bras are a great addition to your underwear drawer, but they are not meant to replace your sports bras entirely. Instead, they are for casual outfits and low–energy activities, like walking to the post box and back.
The Media Influence
For some reason, we have been swamped by the media and Instagram with images of women wearing sports bras and crop tops every day. This trend can potentially impact your breast health and significantly affect your ability to be active. Poorly fitting bras are a huge contributing factor as to why many young girls stop participating in sports because they are uncomfortable. Likewise as adults, we are less inclined to exercise if we are wearing a bra that is uncomfortable.
The Importance of a Quality Sports Bra
A quality sports bra is a well–constructed and complex garment designed to reduce breast movement. This is crucial during exercise, especially if you have larger breasts. But why is this so important?
Improving posture and performance: Breasts can be heavy (don’t we know it!), and the force created by them can pull your trunk forward, making you slouch. This can negatively affect your athletic performance and lead to headaches and neck and back pain.
Minimizing breast movement: Research has shown that during activities such as running and jumping, bare breasts can move up and down as much as 12cm!
Minimizing breast discomfort and increasing exercise likelihood: Excessive breast movement during exercise is often associated with discomfort and can be a deterrent to physical activity. Since both discomfort and insufficient support are barriers to physical activity, breast support should be a priority, and bras should be regarded as essential pieces of sporting equipment.
Understanding the Difference
Understanding the difference between a lounge bra and a sports bra is crucial for your breast health. That crop top you’re wearing isn’t a sports bra and won’t provide the support you need during workouts. Similarly, a “sports bra” (that might actually be a lounge bra,) isn’t designed for all–day wear. As a bra fitting expert, I can’t stress enough how important it is to choose the right bra for the right activity to ensure comfort and proper support.
What to Look for in a Sports Bra
A correctly fitting sports bra should be comfortable, supportive, and firm. You should feel the difference between your sports bra and your regular bra. A sports bra should be a garment that has multiple points of adjustability and be fitted by a professional. Generally, they will be made of many different elements, using up to 32 individual pieces.
Different Types of Sports Bras: Understanding Your Options
Choosing the right sports bra can be a game–changer for your workout comfort and effectiveness. Here’s a look at two common types of sports bras and their best uses:
Compression crop tops: Compression crop tops minimize breast movement by holding the breasts lightly against the chest. They typically don’t have built–in cups and are often pulled over the head, and generally come in XS to XL sizing. This style is best suited for low–impact activities such as yoga and walking.
Encapsulation sports bras: Encapsulation sports bras are crafted with individual cups that support each breast separately, much like a regular bra. These bras are often used for high–impact activities like running. A good sports bra should always be bra–sized. These bras are perfect for those seeking maximum support and comfort during their most vigorous workouts.
Combination sports bras: Combination or hybrid sports bras blend the best of encapsulation and compression styles, offering the benefits of both individual support and overall compression. Whether you’re practicing yoga, cycling, or weightlifting, these bras provide the versatility to support your active lifestyle and typically offer the highest level of support by integrating both encapsulation and compression styles.
The World of Bras: Navigating with Confidence
Choosing bras can be stressful and challenging, especially for those with fuller busts. That’s why getting independent advice is crucial to ensure your bra fits you, your body, and your breasts perfectly. An independent bra fitter can guide you through the differences between lounge bras and sports bras, helping you find the perfect fit. Think of your investment in bras as an investment in your wellness. A correctly fitting bra can enhance your physical and mental health, allowing you to move with ease, step out with confidence, and truly embrace the skin you’re in.
Shell Lingerie is an empowering bespoke bra fitting service located on the Central Coast of NSW. Offering both virtual and in–studio fittings. Shell stocks bras up to an M cup and provides a wide range of bras, swimwear, and lingerie. Her service is designed to be everything a large department store is not, fostering a growing community of over 200 women on the Central Coast who have joined her bra revolution. As an advocate for embracing your body, Shell understands that our relationship with our bodies is ever–changing. She knows that what truly matters is that you deserve bras that fit you perfectly. Shell hopes to support you and your boobs soon! Bra fittings are by appointment only. Visit www.shelllingerie.com or follow @shellfullerbust on Instagram for more information.