WWhether or not it was prescription sports bras that led the Lions to victory on Sunday night, the term is “a new and underreported phrase for many women who play sports or exercise,” says Priya Downes, founder of Sustainable Underwear. Brand Nudea.
A step up from regular bras, a “sports bra prescription” can be compared to the gait analysis you might get when buying running shoes: looking at how a player moves and then matching them with the right bra type and size. In the case of England’s winning goalscorer Chloe Kelly, it appears to be the Nike Dry-Face swoosh, which she plans to model.
When shopping for sports bras, most of us opt for the off-the-shelf compression type. Breasts are designed to be flat and pulled against the body to prevent movement, and they come in a variety of sizes, but they are not designed to be a perfect fit. [it’s not surprising] “Many professional sportswomen complement their sportswear,” adds Downs. “Because we don’t usually see them on the big screen.”
The Lions contacted Professor Joanna Wakefield-Scour of “Breast Biomechanics” and the British Institute of Sport. In lieu of such access, here are five ways to find the next best thing to a custom sports bra.
Fit more than once
“To find the right size, your best bet is to try as many as possible,” says Downes. “Your bras are constantly changing. Most of us go through six different sizes in our lives. It’s important to fit yourself throughout your life rather than staying in the same size. Compression bras are made from heavy microfiber so they’re designed to cover your rib cage as well as your bust, and they’re incredibly stretchy, which It’s fine if your breasts change.” But sometimes, she added. “We want something a little more flattering for our own body type.
Don’t just follow your traditional bra size
“Cup size doesn’t necessarily matter,” advises Bravissimo fit expert Laura Franklin. Downs, on the other hand, 80% of the support comes from the back band – the fitted fabric that runs under your bra. This is the most important part of a sports bra, she says, “so it’s important to make sure it fits properly to prevent injury and minimize movement.” “If it feels a little tight, if it’s uncomfortable, it’s the right size.”
Consider adjustable straps
“These are incredibly hard to find on a sports bra, and you definitely don’t see them on a regular basis. [compression] Kind, but if you have a full chest or a small back and large breasts, it’s really worth looking into bras with them,” says Downes. The focus is comfort, as well as support. “They don’t have to dig in, because they don’t have to take the weight of the breast,” she says. Likewise, if you’re getting red marks when you take it out, “that’s the wrong amount.”
Choose the right bra for your type of exercise
“What works for high-impact activities like soccer or running may not be necessary for things like yoga or pilates,” says Downs. Most sports bras are made of microfiber and synthetic fabrics, which wick away sweat better than slow-drying cotton. But in something like Pilates, breaking a sweat isn’t a priority. “You don’t need full-grade, industrial-strength microfiber. You just want to give a little,” she says. Franklin recommends something soft with a rounded face, and thinking instead of light support, rather than binding. Downes suggests a thin cotton or tencel, which is slightly stretchy. “Nobody wants to be uncomfortable doing downward dog.”
Even small chested women need to wear one
A bra is important to all women, regardless of their cup size, says Charlotte Morgan, senior womenswear designer at independent activewear brand AYBL. “Without proper support, the ligaments in your breasts can stretch and eventually become irreversibly damaged.”
Can you wear two bras more than ever?
Hit the field but forgot your sports bra? “If that’s available to you, I mean you could double up and put two bras together. But again, it comes down to the fit. If one of them is underwire, forget it: “Underwires will hinder your performance,” says Morgan. “Two wrongs don’t make a right; And the same goes for a bad bra fitting,” he agrees.
