Exercise Wreaks Your Rack: The Importance of the Sports Bra
It’s true, jogging, aerobics, sports and even yoga puts strain on a woman’s breasts. So, next to sporting the proper footwear, having a supportive bra is a must, a must for your bust.
Pregnancy, weight gain, breastfeeding and age have transformed most of our perky racks into saggy not-so-fun bags. As we moms try to trim thickened waists through diet and exercise, we are further damaging our breasts by wearing inadequate bras.
Breasts are made up of fatty tissue and supported by skin and ligaments. Once these ligaments are stretched, they remain this way. A regular bra reduces bounce by 38 %. A proper fitting sports bra can reduce up to 78% of bounce, and help avoid a black eye. Working out without a sports bra can also cause breast pain, upper back and shoulder damage.
Women’s Health Magazine suggests wearing cup-style bras instead of compression bras. Since breasts move in a figure eight motion during exercise, cups give better support. Choosing a sized cup (e.g. A,B, C and so on), rather than small, medium and large, ensures a snugger fit. Layered bras provide even extra support and moisture-wicking fabric helps dodge rashes. Adjustable straps can be tightened or loosened, depending on activity intensity.
“The best workout bra I’ve ever had was from the GAP. It had thick, bra-sized cups and three prong clasps. Once it stretched, I could make it smaller,” said Angela Nicholas, former La Vie en Rose associate and avid fitness freak. From Zumba, kickboxing and jogging to swimming, hiking and coaching soccer, she is always on the go. She recommends wired, racer-back sports bras.
Also, it is imperative to be measured. “A lot of people think they are one size and when they get measured, they are actually a different size,” said Nicholas. Along with the proper size cup, the shape of the cup is important. Each woman is unique and her breast tissue is too. Some women’s breast tissue sits on top, while others naturally fall to the side or bottom of the boob. “You don’t want to be falling out of a bra. Shape is everything…even in a sports bra,” advised Nicholas.
Get out, get fitted and do your dynamic duo a favour before your next workout. They are the only pair you’ll ever have so take good care of them. Strap them down!
Pregnancy, weight gain, breastfeeding and age have transformed most of our perky racks into saggy not-so-fun bags. As we moms try to trim thickened waists through diet and exercise, we are further damaging our breasts by wearing inadequate bras.
Breasts are made up of fatty tissue and supported by skin and ligaments. Once these ligaments are stretched, they remain this way. A regular bra reduces bounce by 38 %. A proper fitting sports bra can reduce up to 78% of bounce, and help avoid a black eye. Working out without a sports bra can also cause breast pain, upper back and shoulder damage.
Women’s Health Magazine suggests wearing cup-style bras instead of compression bras. Since breasts move in a figure eight motion during exercise, cups give better support. Choosing a sized cup (e.g. A,B, C and so on), rather than small, medium and large, ensures a snugger fit. Layered bras provide even extra support and moisture-wicking fabric helps dodge rashes. Adjustable straps can be tightened or loosened, depending on activity intensity.
“The best workout bra I’ve ever had was from the GAP. It had thick, bra-sized cups and three prong clasps. Once it stretched, I could make it smaller,” said Angela Nicholas, former La Vie en Rose associate and avid fitness freak. From Zumba, kickboxing and jogging to swimming, hiking and coaching soccer, she is always on the go. She recommends wired, racer-back sports bras.
Also, it is imperative to be measured. “A lot of people think they are one size and when they get measured, they are actually a different size,” said Nicholas. Along with the proper size cup, the shape of the cup is important. Each woman is unique and her breast tissue is too. Some women’s breast tissue sits on top, while others naturally fall to the side or bottom of the boob. “You don’t want to be falling out of a bra. Shape is everything…even in a sports bra,” advised Nicholas.
Get out, get fitted and do your dynamic duo a favour before your next workout. They are the only pair you’ll ever have so take good care of them. Strap them down!
Exercise Tips and Tricks
When doing crunches or sit-ups, you should not be able to see your elbows in your peripheral vision. Having your elbows out to the side ensures you are using your ab muscles to lift your upper body. If you are straining your neck, you are not using your abs too.