Sports bras are not just for athletes

The prospect of sagging breasts fills every woman with dread.

Breasts are made mostly of fatty tissues and are supported by skin and delicate ligaments, which stretch over time.

A good sports bra keeps breasts from drooping by bringing band, cup and strap together to minimize that dreaded up-and-down movement to at least half of the regular rate.

“A sports bra is constructed to either encapsulate or push the breasts towards chest so that when you move, they don't move,” said intimate apparel expert Cherie Tang in an email interview.

“Most sports bras also have the capacity to absorb or wick the sweat away from the body. A regular bra cannot do that, and while it's okay to wear for walking, it's not recommended to wear a regular bra when running,” she continued.

For the active woman

“I don't necessarily use them for sports (since I haven't played a sport since Grade 5),” admitted one college student.

An active volunteer in an organization which conducts outreach activities geared toward the urban poor, she wears them “during org activities” or days when she knows she’ll “be running several errands.” What she likes about them is that “they provide great support and most of them come in sweat-absorbent material.”

Similarly, former G-force Dance Trainee and Miss Philippines Earth 2013 candidate Andrea Garcia looks for good material in her sports bras.

“I always go for 100% cotton sports bras. It's always the best material for my sweaty skin,” she said.

Miel Ampil of the DLSU Women’s football varsity team notes that sports bras play a big part in her active lifestyle, whether she’s “hiking, running or playing various sports”—like football.  

“Wearing a sports bra helps me perform so much better. When I don’t wear one while playing, I feel heavy and conscious. Although I know of some people that wear bikinis as an alternative, sports bras help me feel more secure and stay more focus[ed] in the game knowing that my body has its needed support,” she said.

Baby, what’s your cup size?

When choosing a sports bra, one of the first factors to take into consideration is your cup size, as different sizes will have different needs.

“A and B cup sizes should always use compression bras as they compress the breasts against the chest wall to restrict movement. However, for larger D and DD cup sizes, encapsulation bras are… the preferable option as they use individual cups to surround and support each breast separately,” said Tang.  

Compression bras are ideal for smaller cup sizes because they simply push the two together, making sure movement is minimized to the max. Offhand, this construction also provides the perfect illusion if you fancy a flat chest.

Encapsulation bras are good for bigger cup sizes because they give each breast the individual attention it needs. If you’re a C, D or higher, make sure the cup mould fits you right, otherwise it just won’t do.    
    
Finding the perfect fit

There are five major things to consider when you choose a sports bra:

• The band provides majority of the bra’s support because it sits at the bottom, under the breasts. Wider bands provide more support than narrow ones.
• Shoulder straps should provide minimal stretch and sit comfortably on the shoulders without slipping off. Look for wider straps for better support and adjustable straps for better fit.
• Underwire provides extra support and shape. Smaller cup sizes can go without this, but for the bigger cups it’s a godsend. Make sure it’s flexible enough without being uncomfortable.
• Fabric must be cool, absorbent, and will not irritate your skin. The new Sports Bra Collection from Jockey features bras made from Tactel nylon, “an ultra-soft, moisture-wicking fabric popular for its light weight and breathability.”
• Overall Fit is important so you can focus on performing well and comfortably. Sizes vary from brand to brand, so you shouldn’t be afraid to go up or down a size to find what suits you best.

Andrea knows exactly what she wants in her sports bras. “For 'gifted' girls like me… [a sports bra] minimizes the feeling so it lessens unnecessary movements from the chest, allowing me to move freely. Not all sports bras give the comfy feeling though. I've had one that leaves a garter mark giving the itchy feeling especially after sweating,” she said. “Sometimes it's not just about the brand, it's all about choosing the perfect fit.”  

Likewise, Miel has found that a snug fit is also very important.

“For me, the really good ones are the ones that have no hooks and just really stick to your body with a snug fit. Problem is that it can be a bit of struggle to put it on and especially taking it off when you're too tired to lift your arms,” said Miel.

Patty, who plays sports for leisure, likes to wear her sports bras at home or when she works out. What she likes about her sports bra is “it doesn’t have underwires and the straps don’t fall off.”    

Three new styles from Jockey feature just these things in their designs, from the Wire-Free Sports Bra, which features a hook-and-eye closure for easy putting-on and taking-off, to the Halter Back Super Shaper, which has extra-wide adjustable straps so you’re sure that nothing falls out of place. The Removable Cups Sports Bra is friendly to all shapes and sizes, allowing you to customize the fit on your own.

All three sports bras from Jockey include a soft elasticized band and irritation-free heat seal label, meaning you won’t be getting any of that “itchy feeling” when you sweat.

Miel sums up the importance of a custom-fit sports bra perfectly by saying, “Having a good sports bra is like having the right running shoes on when you go running.”

A fashion statement

“Your sports bra is what helps you feel more unique because you might be wearing the brightest colored ones which is shown off with just… the strap,” said Miel, who likes to buy sports bras in a whole range of colors, because the straps are visible under her football uniform.

“I wear colors that can get noticed for a short time,” she said. “The only time people see me in my sports bra is when I… change… to another shirt. Those few seconds without a shirt are worth the compliments… about how much my sports bras suit me."

Miel likes bright colors like “neon green, hot pink, [and] apple green” but her favorites are still those that come in her school color.

“I played for La Salle and my secret charms while I'd be playing would be to wear my heavy duty green sports bras to help me feel more… one with my school/team,” said Miel.

For Andrea, the way a sports bra is styled into an outfit can become the main issue.

“It depends on my mood, where I am, who I'm with, what genre I'm dancing,” she said. Being a dancer/performer means sometimes the bra alone can be the outfit.

“Usually during rehearsals I wear a normal comfy shirt or a skimpy cropped… top over it when I get comfortable. And when I get TOO comfortable, I just wear it alone with my dance pants. And it really won't look provocative… it also depends with how you carry it,” she said.

For Patty, sports bras can also be a part of the outfit, unlike regular bras, which most women would prefer to hide. “I make sure I get colored/designed ones then I wear it with a loose plain top and shorts… I feel chic even if my sports bra would show,” she said.

Whether these women sport the bra for the form, the function or the fashion, there’s no denying the comfort and support it provides. — VC, GMA News