Sport

Unsupported breasts bounce up to 14cm during exercise. Many women, especially those with large breasts, don't exercise for fear of embarrassment! Unrestricted bounce causes discomfort at best, at worse it could cause permanent damage to the breast ligaments. Our professional fitter will ensure you get the optimum support, comfort and style that you require.

Why do I need a sports bra?

Unrestrained breasts during exercise can be painful and embarrassing. During high impact exercise, for example jogging and running, unsupported breast movement can cause permanent ligament damage.

As breasts don't have any muscles to keep them firm, only the suspensory ligaments help them keep their shape. Inevitably with time, these ligaments stretch, causing the breasts to sag. This damage is permanent, and wearing inadequate support while exercising can speed the process up.

Standard bras are constructed for women in a normal standing position, with arms to the sides. When a woman performs an activity requiring her to lift her arms above the shoulders, direct pressure is put on the shoulder trapezius muscles. This can result in neck and shoulder pain, numbness tingling in the arm and headaches.

Types of sports bras

There are generally two types of sports bras:
Cupless: This design which looks something like a crop top holds the breasts in position by compression. They are usually made from stretch fabric.
Traditional: This is a sports bra which has cups like a traditional bra with cups that lift and separate, giving form.

What should I look for in a sports bra?

A well fitting sports bra is essential. It should be firm and supportive but not so tight that it restricts breathing. Recently, sports bras have been designed from technical fabrics such as Coolmax® , DriFIT, X-static® and Supplex®, which are especially designed to which keep moisture away from the skin. Sports bras which are made from cotton will stay wet when you start sweating. The bra should be seamless, have seams that are covered, or have rolled edges to help prevent chafing.
If you have a large breast, you should buy a racerback sports bra with wide shoulder straps, which will be more supportive. If you buy an underwire sports bra, make sure the underwire is completely covered.

Buying a new sports bra

When you try on your sports bra, it's ok to jump around a bit to test the support. Your sports bra size might differ from your regular cup size. You should replace your sports bra after 72 washes, when the elasticity is lost, or if your weight changes. If your sports bra is made out of a technical fabric, you should hang it up to dry to prolong its life, rather than putting it in the dryer.

Click here to read more about our expert fitting service, or contact us to book a fitting appointment.