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See our exclusive Sports Bra. See for yourself which is
best for you!
Finding the right sports bra is now an easier task than ever before.
HerRoom has the best sports bra descriptions, and now has The Bounce Test on
every high impact sports bra that comes in a D cup size or larger. We offer a
large variety of sports bras and athletic lingerie from zip front sport bras
styles to plus size sports bras. HerRoom offers low-impact sports bras for
low-impact activities like yoga and walking. Medium-impact sports bras which are
worn for golf, skiing, and stair climbing. Our high-impact sports bra collection
is extensive and accommodates sports such as horseback riding, running,
basketball and soccer.
Every active woman really needs a wardrobe of sports bras. This is because one
sports bra does not handle all activities. Now, with that statement, you're
probably thinking we're simply trying to sell you more sports bras. Actually, we
just want you to wear the right sports bra. For example, if you take yoga, run,
and get on a stair master, each of these activities has special needs and thus
special sports bras. For example, indoor sports require sports bras that breathe
and can wick away moisture. They may also need to give the look of outerwear.
Outdoor sports, on the other hand, will probably necessitate a sports bra that
can be covered up, and is light weight. So, a sportsbra wardrobe is a very real
consideration.
Plus Size Sports Bras
Different sports exert different amounts of stress to your breasts. If you have
larger breasts, these stresses are magnified. Many sports bra manufacturers now
categorize their sports bras not only by sports impact levels - high impact
bras, low impact bras - but also by breast size: average size sports bras and
plus size sports bras. Low impact sports, such as weight training, requires some
breast support, while sports like volleyball require significant breast support.
Regardless of the activity, full figure or plus-size breasts are going to need
more support. Plus size sports bras, therefore, provide the necessary support to
control breast motion and reduce the bounce force in each activity. To further
assist you in determining the amount of bounce in a sports bra, HerRoom has
videos on all high-impact sports bras (click on video icon just below each
image). Our model wears a size 34D high-impact sports bra, and runs in place.
You will see a front view and a side view of the model's bounce. We call it The
Bounce Test video.
Jogbra, the first Sports Bra
The first sports bra dates back to 1977 when Hinda Miller and Lisa Landahl sewed
together a pair of jockstraps. It was marketed as the Jogbra. Today, Champion is
the holder of the Jogbra name. The basic characteristics of a sports bra today
include an absorbent and stretchable fabric, or a fabric that draws perspiration
away from the skin thus reducing irritation. Whereas the early sports bras used
an "ace-bandage approach" to keep the breasts from bouncing, sports brassieres
today can be classified into either encapsulation brassieres (with molded
breast-shaped cups), or compression brassieres that restrict movement by
flattening the breasts.
The American Council on Exercise did a study on sports bras and came up with
their recommendations for selecting the right sports bra. A good sports bra
should minimize or eliminate breast movement. The Council found that
harness-style sport bras, which encapsulate each breast, are more suited to
larger-breasted women because they are more comfortable and are better at
reducing breast bounce.
Enell Sports Bra
For the ultimate in bounce control and comfort, the Enell sports bra reigns
supreme. Oprah made this bra famous by wearing it while training to run in a
marathon. Enell is made with a nylon/Lycra® blend and treated with Naturexx -
high performance fabric that wicks moisture and dissipates body heat. The Enell
sports bra is primarily designed for larger breasted women. It closes in the
front with hooks-and-eyes for easy on and off, and has wide shoulder straps. The
sizing for Enell sport bras is very unique. Therefore, consult with the sizing
chart located on the page before making your size selection. The Enell Sports
Bra is the winner of the 2007 Undie Award for Best Full-Figure Sports Bra.
Champion Sports Bras
Champion considers itself the first designer/manufacturer of sports bra.
Champion has now been in the sports bra business for over 20 years. Today, their
assortment is vast and includes new support features and exclusive performance
fabrics and finishes. Champion sports bras are particularly popular for wearing
during lower impact activities. The Champion 2893 sports bra won the 2007 Undie
Award for Favorite Sports Bra for the average figure.
Sports Bra Construction
Three basic sports bra constructions exist on the market today. Below is an
explanation of each. However, in general, encapsulation sports bras are better
for reducing discomfort, though many women prefer the compression sports bra
design for modesty because it minimizes their projection:
- Compression sports bras - Like an ace-bandage, this sports bra
style keeps breast motion to a minimum by pressing the breasts firmly to the
chest. This style is best suited for A and B cup women.
- Encapsulated sports bras - Also called natural shaping sports
bras, its design is more like a full coverage bra and provides a more
natural breast shape - no uni-boob look. For women with a C cup size or
larger, I's more comfortable because each breast sits inside its own pocket
rather than being compressed.
- Underwire sports bras - This is the newest sport bra
construction. It puts an underwire in an encapsulated sports bra style. This
added underwire gives even more support to a plus size sports bra.
- Padded sports bras - This style has yet to hit the market. Women
ask for it because they would like modesty without their nipples showing.
However, a padded sports bra would not dry quickly, and could feel wet and
heavy if worn during an activity with significant perspiration. Therefore,
we suggest wearing a sports bra with nipple concealers to achieve your goal.
Sportsbra Fabrics
Today sportsbras come in many different fabrics. Here's a list of the most
popular sportsbra fabrics, along with a brief explanation of their benefits:
- Supplex Nylon/Lycra Spandex - Offers soft, luxurious feel and
incredible fit, support and shape retention.
- Cotton/Lycra Spandex - Soft, moisture-managing cotton
combines with shape-retaining Lycra to create a very comfortable fabric
with just the right amount of stretch and support.
- CoolMax Polyester/Lycra Spandex - This high-performance
fabric blend delivers you all the moisture-wicking benefits of CoolMax
plus the comfort, stretch and shape retention of Lycra.
- Polyester/Cotton/Lycra Spandex - This 3-fiber blend offers
polyester and cotton for softness and moisture management while Lycra
provides optimal fit and support.
- Polyester/Cotton - Classic blend provides gentle softness and
powerful moisture management for all your workouts.
Sports bra Styles
Style choices among sportsbras are many. Here are just a few:
- Innerwear, outerwear, or underwear - Several sports bras
can be worn as outerwear. Of course, color plays a big part here.
White traditionally should be covered up. Colored sports bras are
considered more acceptable as outerwear.
- Racer back or traditional - A racer back or racerback
sports bra is said to give the most support to larger breasted
women. However, a racer back sports bra is great for all women
because it allows for more unobstructed arm movement. If you prefer
a more traditional back, look for one with scoop styling.
- Zip front, front close, back close or no closure - The
easiest sports bras to get into are zip front sports bras. The
hardest to get into, but feel the best are those no closure sports
bras that pull on over your head. Your choice really depends on your
level of dexterity.
When to Buy a New Sports Bra
Women who wear a sports bra 3-4 times per week will need to replace her sports
bra within 6-12 months - similar to when her running shoes wear out. This is
because a sports bra needs to be washed after each wearing. Washing, along with
perspiration, body heat and body oils, breaks down the elasticity in a sport
bra's support material. Because of the high elastic content in most sports bras,
a sport bra that is hand washed and hung dry will typically last longer than one
that is machine washed and tumble dried. Here are some signs that your sports
bra may need to be replaced:
- A noticeable looser fit;
- A "snapping sound" by the fibers when you stretch the sports
bra to put it on;
- Your breasts start having a wider range of motion;
- Fabric pilling - particularly under the arms.
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