The Value of Sports Bras
As we watch the Olympics, one cannot help but notice the stress the women participants are putting on their bust lines. Watching Lolo Jones in the hurdles was painful and not only because she hit that last hurdle and finished out of the medals.
If you do not wear a sports bra when you exercise, you are crazy. Studies have revealed that during simple running, breasts may bounce up and down as much as six to eight inches. There are actual videos on YouTube.com showing this painful fact.
As you well know, up and down is not the only direction we have to worry about. Depending on what you are doing, movement in just about every angle is possible and you really have to pay attention to what you are doing.
To understand the need for a sports bra, consider the anatomical support of the breasts. Ligaments are the primary support mechanisms, not muscles. Ligaments stretch and even break, which means you need an alternative form of support.
The sports bra is not the most seductive of accessories, but it is a vital necessity. A regular bra is not designed to handle the motion involved in sports. If you want to play, wear a sports bra. If you want to look hot, wear something sexy but do not play hard.
There are a couple of basic styles for sports bras. One has been with us for a long time and is the pull over, compression version. The second version is newer and acts to actually encapsulate the breasts.
The compression sports bra has been with us a long time because, frankly, it is good. It is ugly as sin, but performs well. It flattens the breast to the chest wall and eliminates the breast bouncing that can stress ligaments and produce sagging.
The compression sports bra has not always worked well for well endowed women. The newer encapsulation bra was designed as an alternative. It works by providing maximum cup support to each breast, but lets them move independently for less of a smushed feeling.
So, which is the best sports bra for you? Well, it depends on comfort of course. In general, compression sports bras are better for women with A and B cups. For larger breasted women, the encapsulation sports bra is worth a try.
Getting plenty of exercise is good for you and a noble goal. That being said, it also makes sense to protect yourself. This means wearing a sports bra when being active. If you do not, you will regret it a few years down the line.
