How to Know If a Sports Bra Fits

In 1977, Hinda Miller and Lisa Lindahl had become tired of their breasts painfully jiggling as they ran around their university track. They solved their problem by constructing a sports bra out of men's jock straps. Times have changed since that first sports bra was invented. Recent scientific studies indicate that breast movement during exercise is a serious issue. Bouncing breasts can: change a woman's stride and cause injury; stretch the Cooper's ligaments, which causes breasts to sag; and become so painful that they hinder a woman's ability to exercise. If you want to exercise safely, you need to make sure you are wearing a good sports bra that fits.

Things You'll Need

  • Tape measure
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Instructions

    • 1

      Reduce guesswork by measuring yourself correctly. Hold the tape measure parallel to the floor. Take a deep breath. After exhaling, measure your rib cage, right below the bust. Round up to the nearest whole number. If the resulting number is even, add 4 inches. If it is odd, add 5 inches. This is your band size. Next, hold the tape measure loosely and measure around the fullest point of your bust. Again, round up. Subtract your band measurement from this number. The difference between the two measurements is your cup size. A 0 to 1/2 inch difference indicates an AA cup. If the difference is 1/2 to 1 inch, you will wear an A cup. The cup goes up by one size for each extra inch difference. If a bra is sized using a small, medium or large sizing system or if your cup size is larger than "D," ensure the best fit by referring to the manufacturer's sizing guide.

    • 2

      Understand the differences between your everyday bra and a sports bra. A sports bra is designed to keep the breasts from moving around during exercise. Do not be surprised if it feels snugger than the bra you are used to wearing. One popular type of sports bra is an encapsulation bra. This bra separates the breasts. The panel between its cups should lie flat. Seams should not be placed directly across the nipples.

    • 3

      Check the cup size. If your breasts bulge out of the top or the sides of the bra, the cup size is too small.

    • 4

      Make sure the chestband is not too tight or too loose. If you raise your arms up over your head and your bra rides up, it is too tight.

    • 5

      Test the bra. Runner's World magazine suggests that you jump up and down while looking at yourself in the dressing room mirror. The bra that remains most comfortable while holding your breasts in place is the best fit.