Posted: 10 Nov 2010 03:00 AM PST
Today we’re featuring an Ask the FBGs post. This feature allows readers like you to ask the FBGs for advice. Nothing is off limits, although we do prefer that it’s fitness or nutrition related, so send your undying health questions to AsktheFBGs@fitbottomedgirls.com. You just might see them posted on the site in the future!Hello lovelies!
I adore your blog and was wondering if you had any thoughts on sports bras or would consider doing a post on them. In particular, I’m desperately seeking a good super-high-impact sports bra for A or B cups. (Yes, we small-chested gals need support, too, even though many bra manufacturers seem to forget about us!) I’ve tried many high-impact sports bras for smaller chests, and they hold up okay for running but never do well when I’m jumping with a speed rope. I can’t stand my boobs flying every which way as I jump—it looks terrible and is so uncomfortable—but I can’t find a solution. Help, please!
Lots of love to you ladies,
Claudia
Dear Claudia,
You poor thing! We definitely can help. In fact, we thought this issue was so important that we put FBG Kristen on the case! —Jenn
Supportive Sports Bras for B-Cups and Smaller
We know that big-busted ladies need serious support from a sports bra, but, you know what? Those of us who aren’t terribly well-endowed still need an over-the-shoulder boulder holder that keeps our smaller breasts in place. My chest might not threaten me with a black eye when I start jumping around, but without proper support, it’s still pretty darn uncomfortable.I’ve spent the last month or so checking out different sports bras designed to offer plenty of support for girls with smaller chests, and I think I’ve not only found a few that worked really well, but I’ve also narrowed down what qualities seem to make a difference. Here are my favorites.
Nike Swift Bra, $40, available in XS-XL: Even though this bra isn’t offered in specific cup sizes, the adjustable straps on the bra make it easy to get just the right fit and support. The back closure is also adjustable—perfect for anyone whose size fluctuates with training or time of year! I really liked the back closure because it means I didn’t have to lift the bra over my head after a really tough arm workout. This was one of the most attractive bras I tried. I loved the “Light Wild Mango” color, and the Y back really showed off my hard-earned shoulder muscles.
Danskin Women’s X-Training New Aerosilver Flex Sports Bra, $48, available in 32B, 34B, 34C, 34D, 36C, 36D, 38C, 38D: This bra is one of my long-time favorites. Available in various cup sizes, it provides cupped support, so you still get a ladylike shape but no bounce. It also offers a partial back closure to make it easier to get on and off, and there’s light padding in the straps and the cups, offering both comfort and a bit of modesty, if you know what I mean.
Moving Comfort Vixen A/B, $36, available in S-XL: The fit of the Vixen is along the lines of the Danskin bra mentioned above with separate cups and light padding in the front. It lacks padding in the straps, which didn’t pose much of a problem for me, and it comes in a bunch of really cool colors. If you’re looking for a supportive sports bra that has a lot of style, this is a great option.
Kalyx Uplift MAX, $44, available in S-XL: The eco-friendly Uplift MAX (made from at least 35 percent recycled fibers) looks like it’s made of separate layers, but actually utilizes different materials to provide stretch where needed and serious support in other areas. The different materials also serve to keep your breasts separate, rather than smooshing them together, and the thick bottom band hooks in the back to—once again—make removal a bit easier.
The Takeaway, Claudia (and All Other Smaller-Chested Ladies!)
There are two things I’ve found to be most important in choosing a sports bra that’s comfortable and supportive. First of all, you have to find the right fit in all areas. Don’t settle for a bra that fits well beneath your breasts but leaves you bouncing, and don’t opt for a bra that’s too tight beneath your breasts in order to get the right fit on your chest. The right bra for you will fit properly in the straps, chest, and the band below. If it doesn’t feel good in all three places, keep shopping.Second, look for a quality material—generally, this means it’s going to be somewhat thick and probably have multiple layers, specifically in the front where it counts. All the bras I mentioned have soft, thick material in the cup area, which not only helps keep things where they should be, but also helps me avoid chafing during long or extra-vigorous workouts.
Do you have a favorite brand or style of sports bra? Be sure to share with us and Claudia in the comments! And be sure to check back in next week when we’ll share sports bra shopping tips for the more endowed ladies out there! —Kristen
For a form-fitting top, the BROOKS PACER SUPPORT TANK ($40) is amazingly unrestrictive. The comfortable tank manages the trick of covering up while remaining lightweight and wicking sweat like a champ. And it does this in style. "The cut looks so good that people complimented my back,"said one tester of the T-shaped racerback. Note: The interior shelf-bra holds A/B cups in place, but it isn't supportive enough for bigger sizes.
Wearing the ASICS ABBY ($42) is a form of flattery. The V-neck and padded cups give shape to smaller chests, and the racerback cut enhances the look of a long, lean back. The bra's mesh panels in the straps, sides, and back provide ventilation relief on hot runs. Still, some testers griped that the extra insulation in the cups and the cottonlike textured-nylon and spandex blend trapped moisture. "It was a little soggy and heavy feeling," said one tester. XS-XL 
The SAUCONY IGNITE ($35) uses a thin and stretchy fabric blend and open mesh panels to get the sweat off the skin without becoming a sopping mess. Several testers noted how well the lightweight bra wicked moisture, happily proclaiming that it dried off in a few minutes. And the soft material is stretchy, making it easy to get on and off . Lined, encapsulated cups support an A/B cup, though one size B tester complained of jiggling. XS-XL 
Testers loved the no-frills CHAMPION COMPRESSION VENTED SPORTS BRA ($33) for its simplicity. And its mesh lining kept them cool in sweltering conditions. One tester said, "I didn't think twice about this bra while running, and that's a good thing." It fits a bit small and isn't as stretchy as some of the other bras we reviewed, which makes putting it on a slight challenge. In any case, it managed to keep everything up to a C cup locked and loaded. XS-XL 
The surf-inspired look of the ROXY READY SET RACE BRA ($42) won over many testers, with its stylish bottom band, V-neck cut, and bright color. The bra's inner mesh wicked sweat quickly, while paneling through the back, front, and center kept air moving on muggy runs. The overall support ranked high for testers up to a C cup, as did the bra's bonded seams, which minimized chafing. "There was absolutely no movement," noted one. S-XL 
Tanks commonly employ a simple shelf bra that doesn't always keep excess bounce in check, but the NIKE LONG DISTANCE AIRBORNE ($45) holds everything in place with molded cups and a thick, supportive band around the rib cage. The tank is longer than most and flares out slightly at the bottom so it doesn't ride up and isn't constricting. One tester said, "I wore this to get my postrun coffee and didn't feel like I needed a shirt."
The CW-X ULTRA SUPPORT BRA ($70) got rave reviews for securing larger chests. "There was absolutely no bounce," said one size-DD tester. Extensive mesh webbing radiates from the center of each cup outward in the shape of a five-pointed star to reduce movement without feeling like a straight jacket. Testers liked the adjustability of the back closure and shoulder straps. "I love that you can tailor it to your body type," said one. 36B/C-42DD 
The MOVING COMFORT HELENA ($58) cocoons each breast in a firm fabric that's molded with bonded seams, resulting in a secure hold and no chafing. "I didn't jiggle at all," said one marathoner in training. Testers appreciated the padded, adjustable straps, but they were split on the fabric's breathability—some thought it wicked well, others called it wetsuitlike. Due to a lack of give in the material, only testers who fit the bra perfectly loved it. Others simply did not. 32-40, C, D, DD, 
The cozy embrace of the ISIS C/D SPORT BRA ($48) comes courtesy of its seamless construction and stretchy fabric blend. One tester loved how the bra felt so much she wore it all day postrun. Testers with C cups found the bra's encapsulating design supportive, while D cups wished for a little less bounce. "This will be my first-layer bra for my next marathon," said a D cup tester. "I just wish it was supportive enough for me to wear alone." S-XL 
