Answer these questions in order to give yourself maximum comfort and support for your workouts.
It is all too common to settle for a sub-par sports bra. Maybe you squeeze the girls into a smaller sports bra too ensure they refrain from bouncing their way up and out of your top. Or maybe you like a larger bra to give your breasts space and comfort while you throw an oversized shirt on to cover up any mishaps. Give your boobs the supportive environment they need and ask yourself these questions while trying on sports bras.
Your sports bra cup size may be different than your regular bra cup size. Working out puts more stress on the breasts and demands extra support.
If you are an A or a B cup, look for the bras with compression support. You do not necessarily need the individual cups or thick straps, but you will benefit from straps that let you tighten your girls up and in. Racerback bras can prove beneficial for smaller cup sizes as well since they are more often tighter fitting bras and come with adjustable straps. Pullover bras can work well for smaller cup sizes too, but are less likely to come equipped with adjustable straps—so make sure these bras fit snugly.
Those with larger breasts should look for the individual-cupped sports bras. You also will want to look for ones with wider straps and back clasps so your bra can handle the higher demand. You may think you have enough padding as it is, but a little padding in your sports bra will help absorb impact and movement as well as prevent the any drooping. If you have had breast work done, remember to look for the bras without underwire as this can mess with your breasts' shape. Instead choose a sports bra with a thicker elastic band to hold your breasts in place without manipulating their shape.
If you will be bouncing, you know your boobs will be too. Make sure to look for the medium to high support if you like HIIT training. Running or jumping without support can cause your boobs to stretch and droop. No one wants droop. So perk them up with enough support. When trying a bra on, take a couple practice jumps to gauge if the bra keeps your cargo in place. If you feel the need to hold your boobs in place with your arms, then your bra is making you do all its work.
Stretch in the band and straps is comfortable, but not always supportive enough. If you feel any pinching when trying it on, then you need to go up a band size. Introducing movement with too tight of a bra will only cause you discomfort. But if you can pull the straps or band more than an inch off of your skin, you most likely would benefit from a smaller-sized bra.
A fully supportive sports bra should not leave your boobs spilling over the edges. If this is the case, you need to go up a size. More often than not, women need to go up a cup size and down a band size. The cup should hold your whole breast and prevent any peek-a-boobing. If you see too much, go up a cup size before increasing your band. You can show them off after a hard day's work in the gym if you would like, but keep the boobs secure and under wraps during your workout so you can focus on the task at hand.