Why Wear A Sports Bra?

Are you a sports bra addict? Maybe you have a whole drawer section dedicated to them. Or maybe this particular undergarment is completely off your radar. In a world where we all own several different types of bra to suit a variety of occasions, where does the sports bra sit? What benefits can it bring to the table? And how do you decide which sports bra is ideal for you?

Breast Movement

If you have an active interest, you’re probably familiar with the level of breast support that your range of movement requires. This is the key purpose of a sports bra; to stop those babies from moving around. It’s not supposed to stop you from breathing, nor is it a breast flattener. A good sports bra should allow you the movement to perform your activity in comfort, but at the same time prevent excessive movement that can cause breast injury.

Horses for Courses

So, once you enter the world of the sports bra, how do you decide what’s best for you? There’s impact to think about, as well as fit and fastenings. Activities which bounce (running, football, netball) need firmer control than activities which glide (cycling, walking). Your cup size has a bearing. Larger breasted women will need firmer control than smaller breasted. Then think about whether you want to hook, zip or stretch your way in and out of your bra. With encapsulation bras (which encase each breast) and padded sports bras out there, you can even be picky about your breast silhouette shape!

Not Just for Sports!

OK, the name doesn’t help, but remember that you don’t have to be working out to wear a sports bra. Yes, these bras are wonderfully functional for activity, but don’t let this limit your expectation of this type of underwear. As a supportive piece of foundation wear that can play a role in silhouette shaping, there’s not too much difference between sports bras and shapewear! In fact, standard shapewear and sports bras share several key features. Both use engineered and stretchy fabrics to support the body. Both tend to have minimal seam lines, which prevents chafing and visibility. And both are designed to be comfortable to wear.

Supreme Comfort

With no underwires and soft seams, a sports bra offers the ultimate in reliable comfort. So whether you wear one to play hockey or indulge in a duvet day, you’ll remain super snug. This is why, once you start wearing a sports bra, you’ll find that you want a few different levels of compression. This way, you will always be kitted out in the most comfortable of foundations whatever the occasion.

Back Support

If you have experienced back or breast pain, even just the occasional niggle, you’ll know how important your bra is in managing this. As a supportive garment, the correct sports bra prevents excessive movements of muscle ligaments which can result in aches and pains. Similarly, regular sports bra wearers often find that the extra support eases back pain caused by the weight of larger breasts.

Fashion Statement

Clearly this is not the bra for a plunge neckline; however don’t undervalue the sports bra as a fashion item. Perfect for layering, a sports bra can rock the casual visible underwear vibe like nothing else. Go bright and contrasting under a slash neckline or translucent fabric. There are some gorgeous colours and funky shapes out there so be bold!

Healing

Because a sports bra is sympathetic to your body, it is the ideal underwear for anyone who is recovering from a surgical procedure. In fact, we’d go so far as to say that its healing properties also extend to recovering from a nasty cold! If you’re stuck at home and need to be comfortable but supported, a gentle control sports bra sits perfectly under a onesie!

Your breasts are important, so having a variety of bras is vital to keep them adequately supported. Adding a sports bra to your arsenal is simply another way to put your boobs first!