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Best Sports Bras for Every Size

By: , – Christine Rowe and Dori Katz, Family Circle
7/31/2012 2:00 PM   :  13 comments   :  10,133 Views

Want to make your workouts even better? Get a sports bra that'll keep you comfortable, cool, and dry. Here, Maureen Stabnau, senior vice president of merchandising at barenecessities.com, shares tips for finding a perfect-fitting bra, plus our favorite styles.
 
What Makes a Good Sports Bra?
 
Choose a sports bra that says "Moisture Wicking" on its tag. This lets you know that the fabric will remove sweat from your skin, keeping you cool and dry.

A sports bra with a hook and eye closure offers two big advantages: It adjusts to your size, and it's easier to undo post-workout—no more pulling hot, sweaty bras over your head!
Bras with U-backs, T-backs, and crisscross straps offer the most comfort and will help keep straps from slipping when you're working out. 

How to Find Your Bra Size
 
Step 1: Band Size

Wrap a tape measure around yourself under your arms, high on your back, and across the top of your chest. If the figure is an even number, this is your band size. If you get an odd number, add an inch.

Step 2: Cup Size

Wrap the tape measure loosely around the fullest part of your bust. Subtract your band measurement from your bust measurement; each inch represents a cup size. For example, if your band size is 34 and your bust measures 36 inches, the difference between these figures is two inches, and you'd wear a B-cup.

Click here for more information on sports bras from Family Circle.


More from Family Circle:

What kinds of workout clothes do you prefer and where is your favorite place to shop for workout clothes?



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Comments

  • 13
    where can i find a sports bra that fits and is supportive enough im a 40G - 8/23/2012   4:45:40 PM
  • 12
    I would love to find one, that is more supportive , instead of compressing me - 8/4/2012   3:28:37 PM
  • MICHELLEZO
    11
    I agree with Earth420, finding a sports bra once you pass a c-cup is a challenge. I find I end up wearing either 2 bras 1 sport and a regular bra to get adequate support.
    - 8/4/2012   9:38:00 AM
  • 10
    Trying to find a sports bra when you are a 42DD is TOUGH!!! They just don't make them right for us full figured women & when they do they cost a week's whole pay!! - 8/4/2012   9:05:09 AM
  • 9
    This way of finding your bra size is wildly inaccurate. Your band size is the number of inches under your BUST, not under your arms. You wouldn't buy underwear that's larger than your hips, it wouldn't stay up. Likewise, a bra with a band that is too large will offer no support. That false way of measuring is the way that a popular, well-known chain does it, and they always tell me that I'm a 36D... when in fact I am a 32H. - 8/3/2012   6:23:59 PM
  • 8
    I am so small breasted, I just buy the champion brand from target, they go on sale every once in a while. They are super comfortable and fit me great, but probably not everyone else! My daughter loves them too. Many colors to choose from. - 8/3/2012   11:16:28 AM
  • 7
    Fewer jiggles, more giggles! That's what I say :) - 8/1/2012   7:33:45 PM
  • 6
    At least this measurement tip is more accurate: traditionally, they would tell you to add almost 5" to your band measurement to get the size... If you add that much to your band measurement, you get NO support from the band! - 8/1/2012   10:34:49 AM
  • 5
    Measuring is good, but it's always best to try on a bra - sports or otherwise. I have almost never been able to wear the bra size that people who measure me tell me I should wear. Even when I measure myself, it's not always accurate for all bras. I usually have to go down at least one band size, if not two. When that happens, my cup size goes up. Trying them on prevents me from having bras that I won't wear. - 8/1/2012   8:13:38 AM
  • 4
    sparkpeople, you should give away sport bra!!!! - 8/1/2012   7:05:36 AM
  • AMOTTLEY
    3
    This is so NOT true because if it were then the fact that my bust and band measurement are 8 inches apart would suggest that I wear an "H" cup which is ludicrous! I've seen ppl wear "H" cup bras and my boobs are nowhere near that big but I do fit DD nicely. - 8/1/2012   12:02:31 AM
  • 2
    This obviously does NOT apply to me (I keep my pecs in SHAPE) but I kept thinking of that episode on Seinfeld (which I hardly watched as I cannot stand it). - 7/31/2012   9:06:26 PM
  • 1
    I find lots and lots of them at yard sale, and most of them have hardly been worn. - 7/31/2012   2:14:36 PM

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