The importance of sports bras for protecting women's breasts during exercise is self-evident. It can not only reduce the damage caused by breast shaking and avoid friction and other problems, but also make women more confident and comfortable during exercise. Since sports bras are so important, how to choose the right size of sports bras? This will be the focus of our discussion next.
Accurate measurement——Take the first step to choose the right size
1. Preparation before measurement
Before measuring, some preparations need to be done to ensure the accuracy of the measurement results. First, choose an unlined sports bra to wear, which can better show the natural shape of the chest and avoid the measurement results being affected by the padding or special design of the bra. Unlined sports bras are usually made of thinner materials, which will not produce additional squeezing or shaping effects on the chest, allowing you to measure the most realistic chest data. It is also necessary to prepare a soft ruler or tape measure. The soft ruler or tape measure has the characteristics of softness and flexibility, and can fit the body curve for measurement to ensure the accuracy of the measurement. When measuring, choose a comfortable and relaxing environment to put yourself in a natural state and avoid affecting the measurement results due to tension or improper body posture. For example, in a familiar bedroom with sufficient light and spacious space, you can measure more comfortably.
2. Tips for measuring underbust
The measurement of underbust is one of the important bases for determining the size of sports bras. When measuring, pass the tape measure around the ribs under the chest, which is where the elastic band of the underbust of the sports bra is located. It is very important to keep the tape measure horizontal to the ground, otherwise it will cause deviations in the measurement results. For example, if the front end of the tape measure is lower than the back end, the measured underbust value will be too large; conversely, if the front end is higher than the back end, the value will be too small. If there is no tape measure, you can also use a soft rope instead. First, pass the soft rope horizontally around the ribs under the chest, then mark the intersection of the two ends of the soft rope with a pen, and finally place the soft rope on a flat surface, measure the length of the marked part with a ruler, and you can get the measurement value of the underbust. After the measurement is completed, round up the measurement result. For example, if the measurement result is 73.5 cm, round up to 74 cm to determine the size. 3. Cup size measurement strategy
The measurement of cup size also requires precise operation. Pass the tape measure around the most prominent part of the chest and measure the length from the inner contour of the breast in the center of the chest to the outer contour of the breast. This length is roughly the part surrounded by the bra steel ring. When measuring, the tape measure should be kept horizontal to the ground to ensure the accuracy of the measurement. At the same time, be careful not to tighten the tape measure too much or too much, so that it fits the chest curve naturally. If the tape measure is too tight, the measured cup size will be too small, and the cup of the sports bra may not be able to accommodate the chest, resulting in the chest being squeezed, affecting comfort and health; if the tape measure is too loose, the measured cup size will be too large, the sports bra cannot provide effective support, and the chest is easy to shake during exercise.
Multidimensional factors affecting the selection of sports bra size
1. The impact of body shape differences on size
Body shape is one of the important factors affecting the selection of sports bra size. For women with a fuller figure or higher breasts, it is often more appropriate to choose a larger sports bra. This is because a fuller figure and higher breasts mean that the weight of the breasts is relatively large, and stronger support is needed to keep the breasts stable. If you choose a size that is too small, the sports bra cannot fully wrap and support the breasts, which will not only make it uncomfortable to wear, but may also cause discomfort due to breast shaking during exercise, and may even have a negative impact on breast health. A larger sports bra can provide more ample space, better wrap the breasts, and disperse the weight of the breasts, thereby providing more effective support and reducing discomfort during exercise. On the contrary, women with thinner figures or lower breasts can choose a smaller sports bra. A thinner figure and lower breasts make the weight of the breasts relatively light, and the demand for support is relatively low. If you choose a size that is too large, the sports bra will be too loose and cannot fit the body closely. It cannot provide sufficient stability during exercise, and the breasts are prone to shaking, which will also affect the comfort and effect of exercise.
2. The close connection between sports type and size selection Different types of sports have different requirements for the support of sports bras, which also directly affects the size selection of sports bras. Low-intensity exercise, such as yoga and Pilates, requires relatively low support from sports bras. These exercises have a small range of motion and relatively little body movement, so you can choose a relatively loose and comfortable sports bra. Loose sports bras allow the body to stretch more freely during exercise without causing too much restriction on movement. Choose a sports bra that is slightly larger, softer, and more breathable, such as some wire-free sports bras made of modal or pure cotton, which can not only ensure comfort during exercise, but also allow the body to feel full freedom. Medium-intensity exercise, such as running and aerobic exercise, requires sports bras to provide better support and stability. When running, the body will jump up and down regularly, and the chest will also shake; in aerobic exercise, the large swing of the arms and the rapid movement of the body will also cause the chest to shake more. Therefore, sports bras suitable for medium-intensity exercise are usually made of elastic materials, which can effectively support the chest, reduce shaking, and avoid unnecessary discomfort. When choosing the size, make sure that the sports bra fits the body tightly but not too tight. When choosing this kind of sports bra, you should choose the right size according to your underbust and cup size to ensure that it can provide good support and comfort during exercise. High-intensity sports, such as tennis and basketball, require extremely high support and stability of sports bras. In these sports, the body moves with a large range and fast speed, and the chest is subjected to greater impact. Therefore, it is necessary to choose a professional sports bra to provide better support and protection. This type of sports bra is usually made of high-elastic material, which can tightly wrap the chest and effectively reduce shaking and pressure. Some sports bras with thick pads can also provide additional support and reduce the impact on the chest. In terms of size selection, pay more attention to fit and choose a size slightly smaller than usual to ensure that the sports bra can tightly fix the chest and reduce displacement and shaking during exercise.
Trying on - the key link to check whether the size is suitable
1. Check the comfort of the shoulder strap
When trying on a sports bra, the comfort of the shoulder strap is an important inspection point. The right shoulder strap should maintain a perfect fit between the shoulders. You can try to put two fingers between the shoulder strap and the shoulder. If you can put them in easily without obvious tightness, and the shoulder strap can be firmly fixed on the shoulder without sliding easily, it means that the comfort of the shoulder strap is appropriate. For example, when you raise your arms in a sports bra, the shoulder strap will not slide up with the arm, nor will it dig into the flesh of the shoulder, which means that the design and size of the shoulder strap can meet the needs of exercise. If the shoulder strap is too tight, it will leave marks on the shoulder, which will not only affect blood circulation, but also make you feel pain and discomfort during exercise; if the shoulder strap is too loose, the sports bra will not provide enough support, the chest will shake during exercise, and it is easy to cause the shoulder strap to slip, affecting the normal progress of exercise.
2. Elastic band fit test
The elastic band of the sports bra is located at the lower bust, and its fit plays a key role in the overall effect of the sports bra. When trying on, pay special attention to checking the fit of the elastic band. When you raise your arm, observe whether the elastic band can stay in place without shifting. The right elastic band should fit the ribs under the chest tightly, providing a comprehensive coverage without any gaps. At the same time, the elastic band should not be too tight, so as not to cause a sense of oppression on the chest and affect the comfort of breathing and exercise. For example, you can wear a sports bra and do some simple stretching movements to feel the reaction of the elastic band. If the elastic band can always remain stable when you stretch your arms, bend over, etc., without sliding up or tightening your chest, it means that its fit meets the requirements. The material and elasticity of the elastic band are also very important. High-quality elastic bands usually use highly elastic and breathable materials, which can not only ensure the fit, but also make you feel comfortable and free during exercise.
3. Practical test of support
The support of sports bras is one of its core performances. It is very necessary to test the support through actual sports movements. When trying on sports bras, you can do some common training movements, such as jumping jacks and running in place, to feel the shaking of the chest, so as to judge whether the support of the sports bra is appropriate. When you do jumping jacks, your chest should be stably fixed by the sports bra, without large up and down or left and right shaking. If you feel your chest shaking or even painful during the jump, it means that the support of this sports bra is insufficient and cannot meet your exercise needs. You need to change to a more supportive style. Running in place is also a good way to test. During the running process, observe the movement of the chest and whether the sports bra can effectively reduce the shaking of the chest. Different intensities of exercise have different requirements for support, so when choosing a sports bra, you should try it on and judge it according to your usual exercise type.
Q&A
How to choose the size of a sports bra during weight loss?
During the weight loss process, the size of the body will gradually change, and the size of the chest may also change accordingly. At this stage, it is recommended that you measure your chest size regularly. If your weight loss plan is going well, your chest may gradually become smaller. At this time, you may need to change to a smaller sports bra to ensure that the sports bra can provide appropriate support and fit. If you are not sure how your breast size will change in the early stages of weight loss, you can choose a slightly looser sports bra, but not too loose to avoid affecting the exercise experience. At the same time, pay attention to the material and elasticity of the sports bra, and choose a sports bra with good elasticity, so that when the breast size changes to a certain extent, the bra can still maintain a good wearing effect.
Will the size of the sports bra change with the wearing time?
The size of the sports bra may change with the wearing time and frequency of use. With the increase in the number of wearing times, the elasticity of the sports bra will gradually decrease, especially in the case of frequent high-intensity exercise. The decrease in elasticity may cause the sports bra to become loose and the size to become relatively larger, thus failing to provide sufficient support. During the cleaning process of the sports bra, if the cleaning method is improper, such as excessive rubbing, using hot water or strong detergents, etc. it may also damage the fiber structure of the bra, resulting in damage to elasticity and changes in size. In order to extend the service life of the sports bra and maintain its appropriate size, it is recommended that you follow the correct cleaning method to clean it, avoid overuse, and change the sports bra regularly.
Does different seasons affect the size selection of sports bras?
Different seasons may have a certain impact on the size selection of sports bras. In the summer, the weather is hot, and people usually wear light sportswear and sweat more during exercise. In order to maintain comfort and breathability, you may prefer to choose a slightly looser sports bra, which can reduce the stuffiness and allow the skin to breathe better. In the winter, the weather is cold, and people will wear thicker sportswear. At this time, the sports bra needs to fit the body better to provide sufficient warmth and support. If the sports bra is too loose, it may appear bloated under the wrapping of multiple layers of clothing, affecting the flexibility of exercise. In winter, you may need to choose a sports bra with a more fitted size. Some women may gain a slight weight in winter due to factors such as diet, which may also require adjusting the size of the sports bra.