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Fit Tip: Wash Your Sports Bra in the Shower With You

FitSugar — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 08:00:00 -0700

After a run, I immediately hop in the shower not only to cool myself down, but also to wash off all the sweat and bacteria to prevent breaking out. Since I only have a few sports bras, I got into the habit of bringing my sports bra in the shower with me. I keep a little container of laundry detergent on the shelf so I can hand wash it really quickly, and then I let it dry over my shower rod. That way it's always clean when I want to wear it next, and I don't have to worry about doing a whole load of laundry just so I can have a clean sports bra. Plus, hand washing engineered wicking clothes helps to maintain the integrity of the fabric.

Fit's Tip: This is especially great to do when you're on vacation and don't have access to a washing machine. Just make sure you don't accidentally forget to bring it home!

How Many Sports Bras Do You Own?

FitSugar — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 03:30:00 -0700

Keeping my girls in place when I exercise is quite important to me. Since I wear a sports bra every time I work out, and I exercise throughout the week, I own three sports bras. Not only do I need a few since I don't do laundry every day, but they all support me differently, depending on the intensity of the activity I'm doing. So I was wondering . . .Source

How Many Sports Bras Do You Own?

Zero — My girls don't need much support.

One — It's all I need.

Two — I like to alternate.

Three — For the many kinds of ways I move.

More than four — I wear one every time I exercise and I hate doing laundry.

Gear Review: Sports Bra for Less-Endowed Women

FitSugar — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:00:00 -0700

I've reviewed sports bras for the well-endowed ladies, but what about for those of us with a bit less va-va-voom?

I recently purchased the Lululemon Flow Y Bra II and I am in love with this top. This great little bra is the whole package. It provides good support, the mesh back insert provides maximum ventilation, and the racer back shape allows for full range of motion without irritation (i.e. no chafing). Not only did the bra pass the yoga test, it also passed the ultimate bounce test: running. The colors are super cute (mine is yellow with white polka dots) and it even comes with light removable padding, which keeps things discrete even when it's a tad "nippy" in the gym.

I've been wearing mine so much that I've gone back and bought a few more. At $42 it's a little steep, but a good sports bra can be hard to come by and this one is worth every single penny. Go try one on at a Lululemon store near you.

Favorite Excuse Not to Run: It Hurts My Chest

FitSugar — Thu, 22 May 2008 10:00:00 -0700

If you gave running a try, but you felt self-conscious about all the action in your front section, or it left your chest in too much pain to enjoy it, then you're not alone. That's why sports bras were invented in the first place — to keep the bouncing at bay. However, not all sports bras are created equal, and the one you're wearing now may not be offering you enough support. Check these out.

This is the Champion Action Sports Bra ($29.99) and it means business. Even though it looks like a real bra, underwire and all, it offers amazing support for someone with a C cup or smaller. The two padded cups support each individual breast, and the back closure allows you to adjust how tight you want it. Plus the material has wicking properties to help you stay dry.

Need a little more support? Then

Gear Review: Champion Action Sports Bra

FitSugar — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 02:00:00 -0700

When Spring rolls around, I like to buy myself a new running outfit (complete with a sports bra), to get me excited about running outside. When I was shopping for my new bra, I had some criteria. I didn't want a racerback, since I'd be running outside and my back gets super sweaty (did someone say bacne?). I also wanted it to have a clasp closure in the back, since peeling a sweaty sports bra over my head after a workout is not the most pleasant thing. So I found what I was looking for in the Champion Action Comfort Sports Bra ($29.99).

Don't you love how it looks like a real bra? Don't be deceived though since this baby offers amazing support. It may not be the best bra if you have a DD bust and like to run, but it'll definitely keep your girls in place if you're jogging with an A or B cup size. If you've got a little bit more going on in the chest department, this is great to wear under a tank top that has a shelf bra attached. I liked that the straps were adjustable, although my favorite part about this bra is that it has two separate padded cups. That means it makes your boobs look more attractive instead of looking like one big smooshy mound. It also prevents the world from knowing that you're cold (if you know what I mean). If you're in the market for a new sports bra, I'd try this one out. It may be your new favorite.

Runner's World Bra Finder

FitSugar — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 15:15:00 -0800

Shopping online is a time saver, but sizing some purchases can be a little confusing. Shopping online for a sports bra is one such challenge and it is nice to have a little advice on how to get a good fit.

Well over at Runner's World, you can find a handy Bra Tool. Enter measurements of your rib cage and bust and the tool will determine what size you should buy.

Fit's Tip: Although it seems like a good idea, do not buy a smaller size thinking you will get more support. A bra that is too tight can negatively affect your ability to breathe and compromise your running potential. Plus, tight bras can cause painful chafing.

Source

Sports Bra Quiz

FitSugar — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 02:30:00 -0800

If you're a woman, then you know the importance of wearing a sports bra, but do you know the history behind it? It has an interesting past that I found pretty funny. See how much you know about your workout gear staple in this fun little quiz.

Source

See Jane Run: A Supportive Store For ALL Women Athletes

FitSugar — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 13:30:00 -0700

"You want to run a marathon?!?" That's how Lori Shannon was greeted when she went to her neighborhood running store, along with raised eyebrows and zero support. So what if she was 5'3" and a size 16? Maybe she didn't look like a born athlete, but she still had the strong spirit of one.

She used her spirit to turn that negative experience into her own women-friendly running store – See Jane Run. It's a place where women of all shapes, sizes, ages, and experiences can find gear as well as inspiration for their athletic goals.

There are a few actual retail stores (in San Francisco, Oakland, and Boise), but you can also shop online. They've got sports bras galore, tops, and bottoms by prAna and Patagonia, outerwear, running sneaks, a wide range of bags and packs, and heart-rate monitors, too.

Why not buy from a small, woman-owned and operated company, whose main goal isn't just to sell gear? They offer motivation, inspiration, and support for their fellow active women, with friendly staff that are there to help, and not give you an attitude.

Figure 8s: No Longer Just for Ice Skating

FitSugar — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 03:30:00 -0700

Did you know that 50% of women experience breast pain during exercise? Yes, it's true and our trusted sports bras may not be doing as good of a job as we'd hoped.

A new study, has found that breasts, which were thought to bounce up and down during exercise actually move in three directions: up-and-down, side-to-side and in-and-out. (In-and-out?!) Size, in this case, plays no real role in pain experienced and the overall pattern the breasts in the study made was a figure eight. (No wonder it hurts so damn much!)

The point of this, rather than to get you to watch your own and other's breasts for figure eights at the gym, was to let you know that a new bra is being created that will limit breast movement in all directions. In other words, make exercising less painful (at least for your knockers). What's more? It will also incorporate "smart materials" that can change to provide custom-made support for each woman and her activity level.

Source

Get Your Butt in Gear: Sports Bra for the Well-Endowed

FitSugar — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 11:00:00 -0700

It is rare when a women specific exercise issue makes the news, but my reaction to the story that even gentle exercise causes breast pain in the majority of womens was - duh! I could have told you that. It is cool though that someone is researching this and the outcome will hopefully be better bras, since running outside is tough enough on its own. You have to concentrate to dodge pedestrians, avoid cracks in the sidewalks and be on the look out for cars, so you shouldn't have to worry about that uncomfortable bounce factor. I want a sports bra that will help my girls stay put, not only to reduce the pain, but most importantly to stop the immature comments I hear spewing out of car windows.

Check out this Fiona Bra ($44) made by Moving Comfort. This is for all the ladies who are a C-D-DD in cup size, and like to do high-impact exercise.

This bra offers intense support, but still gives you a feminine shape. The straps and back clasp with 3 rows of hook and eyes make this bra completely adjustable, so you can get a perfect fit for your body. There are interior molded cups to encapsulate each breast and the material across your chest is one-way power mesh to limit vertical movement (aka - the bounce).

This bra is the definition of support and I love that it covers your cleavage. It comes in white, black, moonstone, petal, and green tea. Order it from Moving Comfort in a range of sizes from 32C - 44DD.

Peppermint Scented Sports Bra: Cool or Not?

FitSugar — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 07:30:00 -0700

Don't like the way you smell when you workout?

Well the Reebok Pulse Scented Short Bra Top ($30.50) releases the refreshing scent of peppermint when you workout. At first I was thinking, "What a waste of money," but now I sort of like the idea. Peppermint is a lot more pleasant than natural odors from the body and if nothing else, maybe it will give the inside of my gym bag a nicer smell. Plus it comes in orange, which you know I love. Already convinced you need it? Then buy one from RunningWarehouse.com.What do you guys think...

Peppermint Scented Sports Bra: Cool or Not?

Cool!

Not Cool!

Undecided.

Other -- Tell us Below!

Get Your Butt in Gear: Title Nine Underwire Bra

FitSugar — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 10:00:00 -0700

My buddy CasaSugar was very excited about a new running bra. So excited that I asked her to write about it so I could share her review with you. Here is what Casa had to say about her new Cuz-She-Says-So Underwire Bra ($39).

I'm a recent running convert, and I have to admit that I've written off running for years due to my rather plentiful bounty of up-top lady lumps. Since starting running, I've been wearing two sports bras at once, and this weekend I grew tired of this strapping-down and layering-up of the spandex, and walked into the Title Nine women's sports store in Berkeley, California.

I left with the Cuz-She-Says-So Underwire Bra ($39).

To find out how it worked, as well as to hear about this bra's features, just

Get Your Butt in Gear: Polar Heart Bra

FitSugar — Fri, 25 May 2007 02:00:00 -0700

If you haven't already noticed, I am a bit obsessed with fitness gear. I love my heart rate monitor so much, but when I get overly sweaty, it does have the tendency to slip down my torso.

Several companies have caught on and made sports bras with heart rate monitors built into them, but Polar has created the Heart Rate Bra ($34.95), a bra that enables you to slip the transmitter belt into it when you want. You can also take the transmitter out when you don't want to use it, making this bra very versatile. The sports bra itself is made from Dry Wear technology that wicks moisture away from your body and the contoured shoulder strap with a deep T-back makes it a comfortable fit too. If you've ever suffered from your transmitter rubbing your skin the wrong way (ouch), then you may benefit from this bra as well. You can buy it from Amazon.com. Buyers beware: Transmitters are not included with the bra purchase.

Get Your Butt in Gear: Seamless Champion Sports Bra

FitSugar — Tue, 08 May 2007 02:30:00 -0700

Sports bras are a very personal thing. Aside from wanting our breasts to be supported, we all have different needs and preferences when it comes to choosing the perfect sports bra.

I've realized that most sports bras have racer backs, and sometimes, if they're not cut thin enough, they can rub against your inner shoulders blades. They also look kind of weird if you're wearing a tank top that has spaghetti straps. Plus all that material on your back gives you an awful tan-line if you exercise outside and doesn't let your back breathe (did someone say bacne?).

I've discovered the Champion Double Dry Seamless Full Support Underwire Sports Bra.

"Support" is this bra's middle name, and it comes in sizes all the way to 40DD, so you can ban the bounce. The fabric is soft, comfy, and flexible, with NO seams to irritate you. It's made of wicking material called Double-Dry, to get moisture off your skin so you stay drier during workouts and cool down faster afterwards.

All that and it has triple-cushioned under-wires to add gently contoured lift, and molded cups inside to support without flattening your boobs to your chest (nice!).

The straps are adjustable and the back has a hook closure just like a regular bra, so you can get as tight a fit as you want. It does all this for $40 and comes in Black, White, or Bayshore Blue. Who knew I could get so excited about a sports bra!

Get Your Butt in Gear: Nike Sports Bra

FitSugar — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 11:00:00 -0700

Dealing with your "girls" while you workout can be such an ordeal. Not all sports bras are created equal, and some women have to wear 2 at one time!

Check out the Revolutionary Support Bra from Nike. It's light-weight, comfortable, and keeps your "girls" close to your heart. Plus, for a sports bra it is kind of attractive and looks rather bad ass, I might add.

Want to know why it's so great? Then

I Can't Exercise Without My...

FitSugar — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 03:00:00 -0700

Many busy women quickly pack up their gym bag in the morning before heading out the door. With all the rushing, you're bound to forget something you need for your post-work workout. So, between these two items, which would rather find yourself without for your workout?

I Can't Exercise Without My...

Sports bra

Sneakers

Get the Right Fit: Your Sports Bra

FitSugar — Sun, 25 Mar 2007 06:00:00 -0700

A good fitting sports bra is important in so many ways, as running can really wreak havoc on our breasts. Why, then, is it so hard to find a sports bra that fits right?

Time after time again, I'll buy a bra and find that it fits great in the dressing room but when I am on the treadmill I feel like the life is being squeezed out of me. Turns out I am not crazy, as a study from the University of Wollongong has found that your chest circumference expands as you breathe heavier.

To test the theory, take a deep breath right now... does your bra feel a little tighter? Mine does. Keep this in mind when shopping for sports bras in the future. Next time you're in the dressing room, take a few deep breaths while trying on the bra. This test will give you a more accurate feeling on how the bra will fit during cardio when you'll be breathing heavy.

A Wicking Bra

FitSugar — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 17:30:00 -0700

In my earlier post on bacne (acne on the back) I suggested wearing a sports bra that was good at wicking away the sweat from the body. Well here's my new favorite bra that is wicked awesome at wicking - the Trilogy Bra by Title Nine Sports.

Fabricated from three different types of fabrics, hence the name, engineered to wick the sweat away from your skin. The back and straps of this pull-over bra are made of mesh to provide maximum breathability. The body of the bra is wicking polyester that is lined (this is the part I love - a sports bra with lining, who knew!!!??!!!) with power nylon mesh. While that sounds like it might be uncomfortable or itchy, it is not. The lining keeps the girls and the cleavage dry (another place sweat can pool and create a breakouts). Plus I find the bra quite supportive.

It comes in brown (aka Cocoa), as well as green (aka Herbal Garden) and blue (Moon Stone). The poetry of the color names just cracks me up. My Trilogy Bra is green.

Order one directly from Title Nine's website. Happy cool, wicked, supported running to ya.

Get Your Butt in Gear: Heart Rate Monitoring Sports Bra

FitSugar — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 04:00:00 -0800

Some people are against wearing a heart rate monitor while they workout because they feel it would be annoying to wear the strap around your lower chest. While I feel zero discomfort whatsoever wearing my strap, you may want to try going strap free.

The NuMetrex Heart Rate Monitoring Sports Bra ($49.50) works with the Polar WearLink Transmitter and compatible watches. It also connects with most fitness machines like spinning bikes and elliptical trainers with integrated monitoring devices.

The NuMetrex Heart Rate Monitor Sports Bra gives you the power of a heart rate monitor with the freedom of strap-free wear. Buy one on Numatrex.com.

Not sure what your target heart rate is? Check out the Fit Calculator to find out!

Support 'Em if You Got 'Em

FitSugar — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 09:00:00 -0800

Ladies, I believe we all need a good sports bra. But which one do we choose? Find out using the Bounce-ometer from Shock Absorber.

Shock Absorber sports bras come in 4 levels of support, so whether you are big or small in the chest department, or strolling or sprinting down the street, they've got your needs covered.

Not convinced yet? Check out the Science of the Shock Absorber.

Keep those gals in place comfortably and look good doing it. Goodbye uni-boob. Hello stylish support.