Unfortunately, many women end up in the wrong fit and are deterred from working out entirely because of their breast size, explained Molly T. The purpose of a sports bra is to protect the breasts by controlling movement. “However, when you wear the wrong size in a sports bra and go for a run, you greatly increase the likelihood of breast pain and chafing,” Tempesta added. In the short term, generally speaking, when you wear the wrong size in an everyday bra, you may experience some discomfort, but there are likely no other major consequences, explained Laura Tempesta, a former sports bra innovation director at Nike and founder of Bravolution. “Trying to do a more high impact activity with a low support bra gets really uncomfortable really fast, while, on the other side, a too-tight sports bra can get distracting and feel restrictive while exercising.” RelatedĪ sports bra is an essential component of athletic apparel that doesn’t always get the credit or attention it deserves. “I’ve definitely had workouts ruined because I wasn’t wearing the right bra,” said Lindsey Ottesen, a coach at Orangetheory Fitness. So what are the best sports bras? As is often the case, it depends on your body, your preferences, and your routines. Since many shoppers aren’t aware of the importance of both elements, it makes it even easier to end up in the wrong bra - without realizing it. It’s equally important to get the right sports bra for your intended exercise. But it’s not just about finding the right sports bra for your body type. As those who’ve tried running in the wrong bra know, these are so much more than just “athletic lingerie” made to look cute.
Despite what some may think, a sports bra sometimes has the power to make or break a workout.
One piece of fitness wear you don’t want to take lightly is your sports bra. SKIP AHEAD Best sports bras to get this year And if you’re going to see people when you workout again, you may want to consider an updated fitness wardrobe, including new sports shoes or leggings. That might mean spending less time in your at-home gym - whether with an exercise bike, treadmill, jump rope or otherwise - and getting more fresh air during your workout. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced earlier this month that people who have been fully vaccinated no longer have to wear a mask outside or inside in most cases, which means you could be looking to spend much more time out of your house.