The ManicaPost
Ann Ruthenburg Fashion
THIS week, I got side-tracked by an issue most fashionistas rarely talk about and that is the sports bra.
I would normally never talk about sports bras because they are normally worn by sporting or exercise fanatics, but something caught my attention the other day which made me think this is something we need to discuss.
I was watching a sports update on ZBC-TV the other night and there were girls doing ‘high jump’ and others doing the ’800m sprint. It was very disconcerting for me to watch many of the girls performing their sport without ample or any support. It is one thing when a girl is flat-chested, but when a girl has an ample bust, it is not okay in any form.
Not only is it distracting to see two breasts swinging as she runs, but every woman knows it is painful. It is sad because this is one of the things our coaches or technical staffers are supposed to talk to the girls about, but I guess they are concentrating on the sport at hand. Anyway, I will address it today and I hope someone will cut out this article and give it to someone in the sporting arena to help out for the better of all.
So a few facts about sports bras are that 80 percent of women wear the wrong bra size. Women should be fit for a bra at least once a year. The average life span of a sports bra is six to 12 months. Not all bras are created equal. A woman should be re-measured for a sports bra after major weight gain/loss or pregnancy because weight or a lack of it affects the bust size.
Sports bras can be worn under other clothing like a fashionable item, it works well. Sports bras give perfect support to people with sizeable busts. A proper sports bra will ensure your bust does not move around unnecessarily.
You must know that proper fit will provide you with the freedom to move and exercise with comfort and confidence. Also based on size of your bust and activity, you need to choose the proper material and coverage, including strap size. A good sports bra should feel comfortable, stay in place and not chafe.
The straps should not dig into the shoulders and the band should be comfortably snug to offer support, but not feel restrictive. Do jumping jacks, run in place, and swing your arms side to side to make sure what feels good is comfortable and supportive when you’re in motion.
If you are a small or medium breasted woman (A to C cup), a compression bra will offer support and comfort or if you prefer, you can choose a bra that offers encapsulation for shaping as well as support. If you are a larger breasted woman (C to FF cup), encapsulating styles that separate and support your breasts are more comfortable and more supportive than compression bras. For maximum support, choose a sport bra that does both.
You also need to choose a sports bra with material that dries your sweat quickly. It needs to be breathable and allow perspiration and excess heat to pass through. It should also keep you cool and dry when it is hot and dry and warm when it is cold.
That is it from me folks this week. Until next week, God bless!
