FitSugar

How Many Sports Bras Do You Own?

FitSugar — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 09:00:54 -0700

Let's face it, working out in the Summer is a very sweaty activity. If you don't do laundry every day - and really, who has time to - you need multiple sports bras if you work out regularly. My collection of support has grown over the years. I have a couple of favorites for running, and ones I like to wear for strength training or cycling. I now own a total of four quality sports bras, all of which I consider essential for my active life. What about you . . .

Brandi Chastain and Her Bra: a Great Moment in Women's Sports?

FitSugar — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:06:40 -0700

When the US women's soccer team won the Word Cup in 1999, it was thanks to Brandi Chastain. She scored the winning goal on a penalty kick and promptly ripped off her shirt to celebrate. The moment has been nicknamed "the bra heard 'round the world." The photos of her are infamous, and she became a household name, her moment in the spotlight eclipsing an amazing win for US women's soccer.

Her dark sports bra was part of the memorabilia installed at the Sports Museum of America in New York City. But when the museum went bankrupt and all the sporting souvenirs placed in probate, Brandi's bra was held for a ransom of $250, plus shipping. After many e-mails and phone calls, her bra is back in her hands to celebrate the 10th anniversary of her famous penalty kick win - an oddly sweet and sentimental tale.

Her disrobing on the field, to me, was a consoling gesture. When my husband sees me wearing a sports bra with no shirt, he always calls me Brandi. Kind of funny but also kind of sad that this is what she is remembered for since she is also a tremendous athlete. What do you think? Was this a great moment in women's sports? Can you name any other infamous sporty gal moments that have captured the nation's attention? Are there moments in sports where our nation's female athletes made you proud to be an American?

Gear Review: Moving Comfort Alexis Sports Bra

FitSugar — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 12:00:00 -0700

After continually running out of sports bras midweek, because doing laundry just hasn't been my thing lately, I decided to invest in some more support. I went with a sports bra from Moving Comfort since I liked their spin shorts; I opted for the Alexis bra ($36) and couldn't be more pleased. Wearing a bra that shares a name with a friend of mine is a little odd, but both are quite supportive.

Not being that well-endowed, I always thought I didn't need to worry about quality support, but as gravity works its timely magic, I have begun appreciate a solid sports bra; the Alexis fits the bill. The bra is super supportive, comfy, and designed for high-impact workouts. I felt as if my chest barely moved while I ran intervals at the track. The bra is cut just a little high in the chest so the striped pattern showed when I unzipped the top of my long-sleeved outer layer. For me this was a good thing; my budding fashionista daughter noticed it and complimented me on my look.

To read about how the bra is constructed, read more.
On the outside, it looks like a regular sports bra, but on the inside there are two seam-free padded cups, which really cut down on the "smooshed" uni-boob feeling. I think separate cups create a better support system. It is nicely vented in the back and at the base of the bra, which is helpful for sweaty workouts.

The bra washes up well and can be dried on a low temperature setting. You can pick one up directly from Moving Comfort.

Gear Review: X-Training Aerosilver Flex Sports Bra by Danskin

FitSugar — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 11:00:00 -0800

Mixing underwire with sports bras sounds completely incongruous to me. They just don't go together. This is, however, a new trend in supportive wear for active gals. I wanted to try one out, and Danskin was kind enough to send me its new Aerosilver Flex Sports Bra ($48) for a literal test run.

The bra certainly provides support and reminds me of a 1950s bra updated with a sporty racerback. When I wear it I feel more like I am on the set of Mad Men than running on a treadmill. The bra combines dynamic support with a titanium underwire and compression with molded soft foam cups. The effect feels nothing like the smooshed feel of a regular ol' compression sports bra; this one is actually comfortable. It is made of wicking fabric to maintain dryness and prevent the chaffing. The back of the bra is mesh for added breathability. But I think the most effective cooling element is the thin mesh vent just above the underwire, which not only allows air to flow in to cool you down but it is decorative as well. Unlike most compression bras, the Aerosilver racer back has three closure settings and you can't feel the hardware when you run.

For more details and to view the bra from the back, just read more.
I know the bra is bit expensive, but it holds up well in the laundry and should last a long time. While the bra may cost almost $50, I would say a comfortable, supportive sports bra that makes you look like a woman is priceless. You can find this bra on Danskin's website.

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Get Your Butt in Gear: Partum Me Sports Bra

FitSugar — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 12:00:00 -0700

I know that being pregnant and/or having a new baby can be tough on your workout routine. In my Fit Momma series, I'm trying to make getting fit a little bit easier so you have a little more time to focus on yourself and your baby.

Baobei, a brand of workout gear for expecting moms, has the perfect bra for moms who are starting to get back into the swing of things now that baby has arrived. If you're nursing and hitting the gym, the Partum Me sports bra ($44) might be a good buy for you. How clever is the name? This supportive bra is made from wicking and antimicrobial materials and its criss-crossing form allows for ease of feeding - if need be while you're still in it. This would also make for a great, and comfy, bra to wear during long strolls with your babe. Coming from someone who wore two sports bras while nursing, I would have been happy to sport this bra if it had been around when I needed it.

Support Them If You Got Them: Sports Bra Quiz

FitSugar — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 09:00:00 -0700

For many of us, the sports bra is not a piece of lingerie but a piece of athletic wear as important as sneakers. Take this little quiz and see how much you know about what supports your gals while you're working out.

Source

Take the quiz

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 . . .

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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 read more

I love the name of this Title 9 bra - Cuz-She-Says-So Underwire Bra ($39). The underwire offers definition, but the powermesh material and stabilization panels offer maximum support (and no bounce). It's recommended for C, D, and DD cups.

If you're not into underwire, then check out the Fiona Bra ($44) made by Moving Comfort. It's a little pricey, but totally worth it for the ladies with C, D, or DD cup sizes. We're talking intense support here, since it has adjustable straps and three rows of hook and eyes in the back, so you can get a snug fit. There are interior molded cups to support each breast individually, but it also has material across the chest to discourage your breasts from bouncing. Also, since it's so high-cut in the chest, you don't have to worry about exposing your cleavage.

Fit's Tips: If a sports bra and t-shirt aren't cutting it when it comes to support, then you may need to double up. Slip on your sports bra and layer a tank top over it (one that has a shelf-bra sewn in), and that should help keep everything in its place.