Support Your Girls (Get the Right Sports Bra Fit!)

by Marey Scully, Brooks bra fitting specialist

As moms, we truly appreciate the run. The time to ourselves to step away and enjoy hearing our feet hit the pavement and get some fresh air without telling our kids “don’t put that in your mouth” or “get down from there." Running also gets us out the door to support other moms who want that same escape. Speaking of supporting our girls…

How many of you wear two sports bras at once? Chafe underneath the bra band? Get shoulder, back, headaches from your girls bouncing with each step? Insert me, eight years ago, raising my hand to all of these things.

As runners, we are told that getting fit to the proper running shoe is the best thing that you can do for yourself. But what about your sports bra?!

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Did you know that 80% of support comes from the band of your bra? That if you are chafing or getting hot spots you are wearing a bra that is too large for you? Also, that you ARE capable of wearing ONLY ONE SPORTS BRA AT A TIME!? You heard me ladies, no more doubling or tripling your bras to feel more supported. The sports bra is just as, if not more, important than your footwear. Once you have an amazing bra for running, you will wonder how you ran without one for so long!

Things to look for in great sports bras:

1. Specific sizing: You want to make sure that the bra you are wearing is as close as possible to your specific breast size. Yes, a lot of bras come in S, M, L, XL, but what if you have a B cup? A DD cup? Then which bra do you choose? Make sure that your bra also has a cup size, which brings me to my next tip.
2. Molded cups: Just like your feet, your breasts need their own individual support. You will have a much better fit and feel when each breast is supported in their own space. Another huge perk of the molded cups: say goodbye to that sweaty uni-boob!
3. Custom fit: There are a lot of bras out there that offer adjustability in the band as well as the straps. These bras are some of the better choices to try, especially if you have more breast tissue, for a better and more comfortable fit!
4. Comfortable/breathable fabric: I know that this sounds like a “duh” statement, but it is harder than you think. You want to make sure that you find a bra that is comfortable, but will last the one-year mark for running. A lot of breathable fabrics tend to over-stretch, leaving the bra lifeless after only a few months, so this is something that you will have to trust your gut on when trying them out.

Those are just a few things to look for when purchasing a sports bra, but here are a few more tips on how to care for your sports bras.

1. When you can, wash your sports bra in a lingerie bag. If you don’t have one, make sure that it is all put together and wash it on a gentle cycle and lay your bras out to dry.
2. No bra should ever see a birthday. Yes, you read that right. This is not just for your sports bras but all of your bras.  
3. Quality over quantity: Having three sports bras per year is all you need—one on body, one in the wash, and one folded and ready to be used. This way, you are always ready to go.
4. Use a gentle detergent without any softeners. If you choose to, use a technical fabric detergent that you can use on all of your fitness clothing, or white vinegar!

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I am going to leave you with one last tip: Always get fit for your sports bras. We all fluctuate in shape or size depending on what time of the month it is, having babies, drinking too much or too little water. It is not always a huge difference, but it’s better to make sure that you are getting the correct size to avoid chafing. 

Coming from a new nursing mother who had a breast reduction in high school because wearing three bras still wasn’t cutting it, I am very passionate about this topic. I hope that you all have a fantastic fall season!
-MS

Twin Cities moms: Please join us for our free class and Ladies' Night at Scheels on Thursday, Sept. 6. Check in for class at 6:15 p.m. at Purgatory Creek Park in Eden Prairie, followed by a 7:30 Ladies' Night at Scheels in Eden Prairie. Discounts, drawings, refreshments and more!
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