Kenneling the Puppies

Working out can be a real pain in the back for women, especially those who are well endowed.  A good sports bra can help.   I once read that a good sports bra should be just like the perfect boy friend: it should hug you close, get physical when you want and provide plenty of unconditional support.  If you are doing a lot of plyometric or explosive movement exercises, a good high impact sports bra is crucial.  Gone are the days where you must resign yourself the the uni-boob.  Today's options are much better for support with breathable materials for enhanced comfort.  If you ever broke a plastic fastener on your bra in the old days you know the definition of embarrassment.  Never again with a small investment in these undergarments, now you can focus on your workout, not on what the puppies are doing...or how your bra is holding up.

What's a good sports bra?  Here are a few options.  How do you know what support level will be enough?  
What's your intensity?
Low Impact - cross-country skiing, hiking (easy terrain), inline skating, meditation, Tai Chi, walking, weight training and yoga fall into this class.
Medium Impact - cycling, downhill skiing, elliptical training, golf, hiking (rough terrain), most martial arts, rowing, snowboarding, spinning, stair climbing and tennis fit the bill.
High Impact - basketball, boxing, horseback riding, mountain biking, racketball, running, soccer and volley ball.
This list isn't the end-all-to-be-all, but it is a good guideline to follow.  Of coarse the exact intensity of your particular workout depends on you.  Read on for 8 handy rules of sports bras.

Moving Comfort Women's Fiona Bra

Two female runners founded Moving Comfort in 1977 before there were women's workout clothes. In the 30-plus years since the founding, the company hasn't strayed from its original purpose. 

Moving Comfort follows the following guidelines in constructing high-performance athletic wear for women:

Moving means moving: The how doesn't matter--running, walking, weight training, yoga, martial arts, skiing, snowshoeing, rock climbing, horseback riding, golf, tennis, basketball, volleyball, soccer, inline skating...Moving Comfort naturally understands and designs clothes for a woman's body, whatever that body was meant to do.

Quality comes first: Moving Comfort understands the kind of support and freedom needed in clothing, and how that clothing should feel against the skin. The company knows what keeps women warm and dry when it's cold and cool and dry when it's hot. Knowledge, expertise and high standards shape the fit, fabric and function of every garment Moving Comfort designs.

Fit affects everything: Keeping fit improves every aspect of a woman's life--reducing the incidence of heart disease, breast cancer, osteoporosis, depression, and drug and alcohol abuse. If a girl or woman is more comfortable when she's working out, she's more likely to keep at it. That's why Moving Comfort views its technical garments--and the great fit of each piece--as a means to encourage women to get fit and stay fit.

Click here to read more about the Moving Comfort Women's Fiona Bra 

Shock Absorber Women's Extreme Support Sports Bra Top #4490

"You can have big breasts and a high impact workout"

Machine washable and designed for a wide range of cup sizes D through G and ideal for high impact sports. Racer back style gives the look of a traditional sports bra. Straps are shaped and padded for extra comfort and support at pressure point. Structural seaming with inner support sling for a closer fit shapes and supports each breast individually. Meryl Actisystem allows the transport of moisture away from the skin and increases the drying speed of fabric.  Read more about the Shock Absorber Women's Extreme Support Sports Bra Top #4490 here. 

Champion Women's Powerback Under Wire Sports Bra
The Champion® Powerback women's underwire sports bra has got your back during your workout. A patented back stabilizer provides controlled stretch while allowing a free range of motion, while the cushioned back hook closure provides additional comfort.  We've got your back our most supportive bra with patented back stabilizer provides controlled stretch while allowing a free range of motion.

Click here to browse the Champion Women's Powerback Under Wire Sports Bra or other options from the Champion store.

Good base layers and the support they offer can free you to concentrate on your workout, not on how your undergarment supports you.  These 8 Rules of Sports Bras (from Susan Nethero, founder of My Intimacy stores) will help you in your hunt.  Happy hunting.

8 Rules of Sports Bras

1. Look for bras that encapsulate each breast in a separate chamber; they reduce bounce and support better than simple shelf bras.

2. Try to find sports bras that come in cup and band sizes rather than just small, medium and large; the usually fit more precisely.

3. Look for strategically placed seams and stitching, which help cushion the breast.  [Hate bumpy ridges under a fitted tee?  Companies like Isis, Asics and Champion make seamless bras.]

4.  Pick high-performance fabrics that wick away sweat to minimize chafing (look for CoolMax or Double Dry).

5. Own a variety of sports bras, and when in doubt, choose a higher-impact bra for a lower-impact sport - never the other way around.

6. Get fitted by an expert.  You can find bra fitters in most department stores or lingerie shops.

7. Before buying, jump, swing your arms and move around.  If a bra pokes, rubs, slips, jiggles, constricts your breathing or bulges, put it back.  Also, it should fit on the first hook; as it loses elasticity over time, you'll need room to tighten it.

8. Rotate your bras and wash them regularly so you can get at least a year's use out of each one.

(with some info from the April 2008 issue of women's Health, pg 78)