Garment construction

Sports bras come in two basic styles, compression and encapsulation. Compression designs bind and press your breasts against the chest wall. Encapsulation designs separate breasts into individual cups using back and neck straps to pull the breasts up and hold them in place as you move. Small breasted women can get by with a compression style bra, whereas larger breasted women will need both a bra that compresses the breast, as well as a bra designed to lift and separate the breast. Extremely large breasted women may want to wear two bras when working out.

Sport Bra Fit

Now that you know how to determine your bra size, and understand the two basic styles of sport bra (compression and encapsulation) you can begin to look for the sport bra that is right for your body type and activity level. All bras should fit comfortably snug. You need to be supported, but able to breath freely during exercise.

SPORT BRAS

Breasts are simply fatty tissue covering mammary glands. The muscle underneath the breast is buried so deep, that it does very little to actually support breast tissue. What really supports the breast is the "Cooper's ligaments", thin ligaments woven throughout the breast, which are not very strong. The tissue in your breasts is very delicate and needs to be protected during high impact exercise. Repetitive bouncing stretches the Coopers Ligiments, resulting in irreversible, premature sagging of the breasts.

To prevent the breakdown of breast tissue, it is very important to support the breasts during physical activity by using a properly fitting sports bra. To be properly supported, the breast needs to be compressed against the chest wall, as well as lifted and supported by the back and shoulders.

Sport bras are designed to support the breast during vigorous physical activity as well as allow for the evaporation of sweat.

Before Buying Any Sport Bra
Determine Your Correct Bra Size

Studies have found that 70% of all women do not know their correct bra size. In part that is due to the fact that breast size is not constant, but varies with pregnancy, breastfeeding, and during a women's menstrual cycle. Having a bra that fits properly can prevent back problems, muscle tension, and headaches. A properly fitting bra is especially important for young girls. Growing breast tissue is extremely delicate. Teenage girls should be fitted by a bra expert at least twice a year, or after every noticeable growth spurt, to ensure that growing breast tissue is always properly supported.

A poorly fitting bra can lead to long-term back pain and permanent problems with posture. Exercising without a sports bra can lead to irreversible, premature sagging of the breasts.

HOW TO DETERMINE CORRECT BRA SIZE

STEP ONE: DETERMINE YOUR RIBCAGE DIAMETER
Measure the diameter of your chest just below your breasts.

STEP TWO: DETERMINE YOUR BRA SIZE
Add 5" to the measurement you had for your ribcage diameter. If the measurement you get is an odd number add an additional 1" to your total because bras are only offered in even sizes.

For example:
Ribcage diameter = 26" (Add 5") = 31"
Because 31" is an odd number add one additional inch.
Your bra size should be a "32".

STEP THREE: DETERMINE YOUR LARGEST CHEST CIRCUMFERENCE
Measure the diameter of your chest across the largest part of your breast.

STEP FOUR: DETERMINE YOUR CUP SIZE
Subtract your "bra size" from your "largest chest circumference"

To continue the above example:
Ribcage diameter = 26" (Add 5") = 31"
Because 31" is an odd number add 1".
Your bra size should be a "32"
If your largest chest diameter was 36"
To determine your cup size subtract 32" from 36" = 4"
Using the chart below, your cup size would be a "D".

1/2" 1" 2" 3" 4" 5" 6" 7"

AA cup A cup B cup C cup D cup DD or E cup F cup G cup

YOUR BRA SIZE WOULD BE A "32D"

SPECIAL NOTE FOR WOMEN WITH IMPLANTS: If you have had breast implants remember that implants tend to run wider than a natural breast. Therefore, if measurements show that you are a C cup, you may need to go up to a D cup in some styles of bras.