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SPORTS BRAS AT PARKRUN

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sports bras at parkrun

why should I use a sports bra?

A sports bra is designed differently to your ordinary everyday bra; it features a wider band, fortified thicker straps and technical, moisture-wicking materials that better equip you for movement and sweat. Fuller cup coverage and unique technical designs work to prevent bounce and keep you comfortable during exercise. Working out in an everyday bra can result in chafing, discomfort, boob bounce and long-term postural back and shoulder pain.

sports bra facts

44% of women don’t wear a sports bra to exercise.

8/10 women don’t wear the right size sports bra to exercise.

80% of the support in your sports bra comes from the band.

A poorly fitting sports bra can reduce your stride length by up to 4cm each stride. Over the distance of a marathon that could add up to an extra mile!.

When unsupported a G cup can bounce up to 14cm, and an A cup up to 4cm! A sports bra is a technical piece of sports underwear that protects your breasts and reduces movement by up to 83%.

what is a sports bra & why wear one?

press play to find out more

sports bra impact levels explained

HIGH IMPACT

This type of sports bra is designed to cover you for the most intense activities such as running, rugby, horse riding, football, and other sports that involve jumping, sprinting, and lots of movement! 

The best high-impact sports bras will have been officially bounce-tested, will have good reviews, and will be bra-sized e.g. 32B, 36D. They will also be more expensive because they are effective. It is important that you get this sports bra fitting correctly to provide optimal support and comfort.

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MEDIUM IMPACT

This type of sports bra will be most suitable for activities such as cycling, dance, and weight training at the gym.

Whilst a bra-sized, properly fitted sports bra is always best you may find some styles sized S, M, or L. We would recommend S, M, and L bras for smaller cup sizes A-C, and suggest D+ Cups find a medium-impact bra from your favourite high-impact sports bra brand.

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LOW IMPACT

This type of sports bra will be most suitable for activities such as yoga, pilates, and walking. These bras are less structured so offer less support but can be more comfortable for longer durations or for everyday wear. 

These bras can be more affordable than high-impact sports bras, but don't compromise on support for price. Instead, invest in good quality sports bra so you don't have to replace it so often.

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functional types of sports bras

ENCAPSULATION SPORTS BRAS

Encapsulation: An encapsulation style sports bra is great for fuller busts. It has a defined cup structure to encapsulate each breast, these sports bras give you maximum support with a feminine bust shape. No monoboobs here!

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COMPRESSION SPORTS BRAS

Compression: This type of sports bra compresses the breast tissue close to the body using a classic support method that provides medium to high impact support

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HYBRID SPORTS BRAS

Hybrid: This style of sports bra combines separate cups with a compression fabric to create what some might describe as ‘best of both’. Choose this style for support and comfort.

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sports bra fitting guide

Getting the right fit is important to achieving a great performing sports bra.

To ensure your sports bra give you the best support, here are some tips on achieving a great fit:

MEASURING

  1. Around your rib cage, directly underneath your breasts. The tape measure should be horizontal around your body and should not drop in the back.

THIS IS YOUR BAND SIZE

2. Measure around the fullest part of your bust (about where your nipple is). Make sure that the tape measure is taut and straight.

THIS IS YOUR CUP SIZE

TO DETERMINE YOUR CUP SIZE. MEASUREMENT 2 MINUS MEASUREMENT 1.

THE UNDERBAND

  • 80% of the support in your sports bra comes from the band so it’s important to get this right before moving on to the next steps.
  • The band should feel firm but comfortable. If it is feeling too tight to breathe, and it is digging in, then it is too small, try going up a band size.
  • If your band is too loose, it will ride up your back during the day, and can cause shoulder, back pain, chafing, and red marks!
  • Try going down a band size if you are experiencing any of these

THE CUPS

  • The cups should fully encase all your breast tissue.
  • The sports bra should sit flush against your skin and there should be a smooth transition from bra to chest.
  • Remember to Swoop & Scoop!

THE SHOULDER STRAPS

  • You should adjust the straps to suit your frame but it’s important to remember that adjusting the straps doesn’t fix bigger fit issues.
  • There should be 1-2 inch give in the straps at the top of the shoulder

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Frequently Asked Questions

what is a sports bra anyway?

when you exercise, your boobs move a lot. Up to 14cm in a G cup, and even an A cup can move 4cm. A sports bra is a technical piece of sports underwear that protects your breasts and reduces breast movement by up to 83% during sports or activities that require a lot of bodily movement. So, what does this mean for your breasts? Not wearing a sports bra during exercise can lead to back and breast pain, discomfort, reduced confidence and performance. For women, a sports bra should be your number one piece of kit before you start exercising. If you want to exercise comfortably and confidently, then wearing a sports bra is essential.

I run and cycle, do I need different sports bras for different activities?

You can wear a high impact sports bra during any activity whether it be yoga or running. However, we suggest you steer away from medium –low impact sports bras for high impact activities. These will not give you enough support during things like Football, Netball and running. If you’re still a bit unsure, check out our shop by activity page, go to the activity/ sport you participate in and see what we recommend! If you still aren’t sure after that, feel free to get in touch! Use our Shop by Activity menu and filters to find top results for you.

why can’t I just wear my normal bra?

A sports bra is designed differently to your ordinary everyday bra; it features a wider band, fortified thicker straps and technical, moisture-wicking materials that better equip you for movement and sweat. Fuller cup coverage and unique technical designs work to prevent bounce and keep you comfortable during exercise. Working out in an every day bra can result in chafing, discomfort, boob bounce and long term postural back and shoulder pain.

seriously, do sports bra really make a difference?

Some of the best sports bras can reduce breast bounce by up to 83%, and they are tested thoroughly by leading universities in the field of breast health and sport. Sports bras were invented to help women perform in sport without the distraction of their breasts moving or hurting.

how do I determine which impact level is best for me?

This normally depends on two things, your cup size and the activity you do. Most bras are either low, medium, high or maximum impact. The larger the cup size then the higher the support level is required, but it’s also a personal choice as to what feels more comfortable. Don’t forget, we offer free returns (please refer to terms and conditions) so no choice is irreversible.

what if my bra is loose around the edges of the cups?

The cup size may be too large. Try a smaller cup size.

what if my breasts are spilling out of the top of the cup?

Try a bra with a larger cup size.

why are the straps leaving indent marks?

This may mean that the band is too big. Majority of the support from a sports bra comes from the band, so if it’s not fitting right, this will then go onto the straps. This is what causes the straps to dig into your shoulders. Solve this by trying a smaller band size.

what should I do if my breasts are falling out of the bottom of the cup?

Try a bra which is smaller in the back and larger in the cup.

I find that my size fluctuates during the month, what size should I get?

This is a common problem for most women. We recommend that you buy a larger cup size for that particular time of the month, or if your weight fluctuates with weight gain or loss, you should wear the correct size so that the right level of support is given and the bra is comfortable. We recommend you check your bra size every 6 months.

how often should I replace my bra?

This is purely dependent on number of uses, change in your size and how the bra feels. We recommend changing your sports bra every 6-12 months depending on usage. Does it still give you the support needed? Is the fabric still performing as you would expect, has it lost its elasticity? You wouldn’t carry on running in old misshapen trainers, so think about the same scenario for your bra.

how should I wash my bra?

Please follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for washing. The clips or hooks should be done up to prevent them catching on the drum of a washing machine if used. Never tumble dry the bras as this damages the fabrics.