FitSugar

Fight Heart Disease with a Red NuMetrex Sports Bra

FitSugar — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 02:30:00 PST

I've told you how much I love NuMetrex's fabulous heart rate monitoring sports bras, but I just found another reason to love them even more.

In honor of American Heart Month, they've designed a limited edition red NuMetrex bra ($49.50). A donation of $5.00 from the sale of each bra will go to the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women program. Buy it directly from the NuMetrex site.

So go ahead and get yourself one, it's now a matter of the heart.

How to Prevent a Bad Running Day

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:56:02 PST

Some days I slip on my sports bra and sneaks and I feel so light and strong - like I could keep going and going. Other days it seems like my legs are trudging through mud. What gives? We can't prevent bad running days entirely, but here are a few things you can do in order to have more good days than bad.

Get enough sleep the night before. Hit the hay early enough so you get seven to nine hours of shut-eye.
Make sure you're hydrated. Not drinking the appropriate amount of water before and during your workout can lead to dizziness, headaches, decreased energy and performance, dry mouth, and cramps. A few hours before running, drink about 15 to 20 ounces. Drink another eight to 10 ounces 10 to 15 minutes before heading out.
Eat before your run. Remember that food is fuel. If you're not working out for five or so hours, enjoy a meal that contains protein, fat, and carbs. Several hours before a run, eat a meal that's under 500 calories. Thirty to 90 minutes before you head out, enjoy a carb-loaded low-fat snack. If you're working out first thing in the a.m., fuel up with easily digestible carbs that are low in fiber. Getting too much fiber can cause major cramps during your run.
Hit the ladies room. There's no need to carry unnecessary weight with you, so if you can relieve yourself before your run, you'll feel much lighter and will be less likely to experience belly aches.

See more tips after the break!

Get Red Hot For Your Workout

FitSugar — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 02:08:17 PDT

Bold colors - especially fiery red shades - were all over the runways for 2011 Fashion Week. This look-at-me color is a Spring and Summer staple and always a good mood booster. Throw on your favorite blazing rouge hue and get ready to rule the catwalk or at least the treadmill.

Snake from top left: Adidas Varsity Layer Tank ($20), Nike Pro Fit Top ($25), Adidas Y 3 Track Jacket ($172), Suede Puma Bag ($85), Adidas Tastigo Shorts ($25), Nike Training Shorts ($25), LuluLemon Sports Bra ($58)Nike Zoom ($80), Relic Chronograph Watch ($35), Adidas Supernova Sequence ($100), Sigg Container ($25), AA Headband ($4)

Look Like Gym Royalty in Purple Workout Gear

FitSugar — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 12:46:21 PDT

Purple continues to be a popular hue on the red carpet, in beauty, and even for home décor, so why not incorporate even more of this sought-after shade into your workouts. Here are some fun pieces to spice up your fitness style.

Snake from top left: Lululemon Tee ($58), Nike Hyper Cool Tank ($35), Puma Racerback Tank ($30), Reebok EasyTone ($99), Gingham Tempo Shorts ($32), Nike Boycut Shorts ($28), Nike Rebel Sports Bra ($60), Nike Sprint Jacket ($55), Tanya-b Capris ($76), Nike Training Capris ($45), Lucy Yoga Mat ($20), Puma TFX Sprint Shoes ($65), Adidas Bag ($56), Relic Chronograph Watch ($35)

4 Features Your Sports Bra Must Have (From Oprah’s “Bra Whisperer”)

Self — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 05:29:08 PDT

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from Self here on FitSugar!

For many, especially the well-endowed among us, choosing bras can be potentially as demoralizing as bathing suit shopping (though for different reasons). The trouble: If you head to a nonspecific shop, you flounder on your own. At old-school lingerie stores, while they know their stuff, you're likely to get felt up by an elderly saleswoman, who smells of Virginia Slims and pungent perfume.

Still, finding the right bra is quite important and, for those of us who work out, a truly supportive sports bra is an essential contraption. Just ask Susan Nethero, the owner of 16 Intimacy stores countrywide and "The Bra Whisperer" endorsed by Oprah et al. We got the 411 from the master on picking the a sports bra that truly fits your body:

You may think you're wearing a perfectly acceptable sports bra. In fact, you're probably not: "The majority of women today are wearing what we call 'compression' sports bras, which creates stability by pressing down against the chest wall," explains Nethero. "But that's actually the worst way to get support."

Learn more about how to shop for the perfect sports bra after the break.

Gear Review: Freya Sports Bra

FitSugar — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 09:00:05 PDT

When you're heavy on top, finding a sports bra is downright frustrating. Most aren't made for women who are over a D cup - let alone DD-H. Even if you do manage to squeeze yourself into one, you end up with a very unattractive uniboob and barely there support. When Freya - one of my favorite bra companies - came out with an active line, I was overjoyed. (Without divulging too much, I have a small ribcage at 32 inches with an ample bosom.) Freya gets women with larger bust sizes. They even understand that some women have a large cup size but can still be small in the frame.

To see my review and other colors of the bra,

The look. The Freya Active 4002 underwire sports bra ($60) is not pretty, but most bras in my size aren't. More boob means I need more support, which means more fabric. The red version with the black trim is the most stylish and sporty of the bunch. But the rest of them (black, white, nude) have a sort of 1950s bullet bra pinup girl look to them that is kind of cool. If you don't need the full support of an underwire, they also offer a soft cup version for sizes 28-40, C-H.

The fit. Talk about support - nothing is moving in this bra. Both the bottom band and underwire provide amazing support without suffocating you. The wide straps have a slight padded feel to them, which is an added plus for comfort. But my favorite part is that it's an encapsulation bra. Most sports bras keep you in place by pressing your breasts firm against your chest. Encapsulation bras surround and support each breast individually instead. This is awesome because there is no uniboob - quite the opposite, in fact. You are lifted and the natural shape of your body is still apparent. I also like that there are four closure settings on the back. As the bra stretches out, you can move the hook a few times before having to buy a new one. It's also made from a thicker material than a normal bra, which adds to the comfort and durability of the bra. It's available in sizes 28-38, D-H.

Performance. This bra gets a solid A+ from me. Because of its CoolMax fabric, it wicks away sweat and also dries extremely fast. There're also mesh panels on the back of the bra that help keep you cool when wearing it. But what's most important is that I am totally and utterly supported when I wear my Freya sports bra. Whether I am bending over in a yoga pose, climbing, or jogging, my girls stay lifted. It's also built to last - the bras I bought a year ago still feel new and I haven't had to replace them yet.

View 3 Photos ›