Sports Bra discomfort has been shown to be the 4th biggest barrier to exercise for some women – so lets change that now!!

I often get asked by patients and exercisers, which sports bra is best for activity?  So I am going to address a few of the points here!

Firstly, why wear one?……or maybe, why not?

Sports bra’s are worn to prevent damage to breast tissue, especially the skin, and the very small ligaments that support them (Cooper ligaments). A good sports bra will reduce movement and prevent conditions such as mastalgia (breast pain) and breast ptosis (breast sag) – and lets face it – who wants that!

Research has shown that the larger breast size you are, the harder you have to work on your counter balance and therefore you can overuse your upper back and shoulder muscles. The British Army recently carried out research on female recruits bra comfort during basic training and found that it was an important factor with regards to the kit they now issue.

So…with a market flooded with alternatives, which is best for you? The bra you choose is dependant on the activity it is needed for.  If its for practicing yoga, you don’t need the same support you might need for running.

Unfortunately, just buying your usual size won’t work. Manufacturers can differ in fit and size quite a lot!

Here are some useful tips to look for when fitting your sports bra:

• Make sure the band fits firmly and evenly around the body.

• You should be able to fit just 2 fingers underneath the shoulder strap.  They should not be too tight or too loose.

• Your breasts should fit the whole cup with no bulges over the top or sides.

• The material should not be crumpled or sagged anywhere.

• It should fit tighter than your usual bra.

• It should feel comfortable.

Don’t forget, when testing a sports bra, don’t be afraid to jump up and down in it, in the changing room and test it out!  We’ve all done it!