We’ve been told time and time again: not all bras are created equal. But somehow, here most of us are, in the same-old sweat-stained cotton number we had in college. We get it—there are so many choices out there, sometimes it’s just easier to keep on keepin’ on. But your bra isn’t something you should be stressing about when you’re focused on a PR. So, let’s get down to it:
First things first: When it comes to bras that make the girls happy, you’ve got a few things to think about:
What’s the first thing we tell a friend who wants to start running, hiking, or cycling? We tell her to go to a specialty shoe store to get her shoes. Why? To get an individualized fit, great customer service, and knowledgeable staff, most of whom probably do the sports we do. But what about our other most essential piece of gear? We go to the experts for our shoes, why not for our sports bras?
Here at Title Nine, we know a thing or two about bras. Shopping for a sports bra can be daunting, so we do the hard work for you. We don’t just sell bras, we try them on and test them by the hundreds. We ourselves cover the gamut from “built for speed” to “dangerous curves ahead.” We run, spin, climb, and stretch in every bra, and only the ones that meet the discerning standards of our Bravangelists make the cut. Think of us as your expert team of bra-fitting fairy godmothers. We’ll talk to you about what sports you do, help you determine your bra size, and get you shopping faster than you can say bippity-boppity-bra!
Wearing two bras on a run, straps digging into our shoulders on a hike, the band riding up while we stretch; being in the wrong bra can make us want to give up on being active altogether. It’s not exactly something we heard from mom at puberty, but a woman’s bra size can change nine times over the course of a lifetime, yet most women rarely update their measurements.
Additionally, our Cooper’s ligaments can be stretched out permanently without proper support – i.e. a well-fitted, supportive bra. Because of this, just like your running shoes, we highly recommend you never let any sports bra celebrate a birthday. Get a new rotation of bras every year (at least enough to have one up next, in the wash, and on deck), and get remeasured at least every couple of years.
Bra sizing is not an exact science, more of a good solid starting block. Have a flexible tape measure handy and wear a shelf camisole or a good everyday bra (padding, push-up cups and “major masher” styles will skew results). You’re ready to get started!
