bra fit facts & features....by laura

(July article)

Alright ladies…it’s sports bra time!! This portion of the website will be dedicated to everything Sports Bra related. A different bra will be featured every month in addition to bra and breast facts that your mama didn’t tell you. But before we jump into straps, cups and sizing…it is time for BREAST 101!!!

Each breast sits on top of your pectoralis muscles on top of your rib cage. They are made up of milk ducts, glandular tissue and fat. The breast is attached to your chest by the Cooper’s ligament (oh the things they didn’t teach in high school health). Ligaments are what connect bone to bone at your joints…think about your knees, hips and shoulders. Ligaments are tough and fibrous and are designed to hold things in place. If they were stretchy and flexible, knee caps and arms would be popping out all over the place. Ewww. So what is this ligament doing in my breast? Holding it up!

But Laura, if the Cooper’s ligament is holding up my breast, why am I terrified that my boobs will be at my knees when I’m sixty?? Simply put, body parts wear out. We are not designed to last forever. The Cooper’s ligament will stretch and lengthen over time due to age, breast-feeding, high impact activities and gravity. The result is a not-so-perky rack in our dotage. That is where a great sports bra comes into play. Sports bras are designed to hold the breast in place during activities. The less your breasts move, bounce and pull on those ligaments, the better for your breasts.  Not all sports bras are created equal and not all breasts are the same size. Here at Fleet Feet Sports, we carry quality sports bras for all types of activities and all sizes of breasts. Every staff member is trained in bra measurement and can help put you in the bra that will fit your breasts and your lifestyle. That is our FIT-losophy; finding shoes, socks, clothing and sports bras that fit your body as well as your life.

BRA FIT FACTS & FEATURES....BY LAURA

(August article)

If you've stopped by the store and had a look around, you've probably noticed the multi-colored balls that sit next to the sports bra wall. Maybe you picked one up, tossed it around, and…if you're a guy…promptly dropped it upon hearing that you were holding the weight equivalent of a breast. Say what?? That 6 pound ball represents one single size DD breast?? No wonder my wife hates to run…or wears 3 sports bras.

Breasts vary as much in size as they do in weight. The balls that we display are just an average. The size A ball weighs about 3oz, B is 7oz, C is 21oz, D is 4 pounds and DD comes in at a painful 6 pound average per breast. That is 12 pounds of extra weight strapped to the chest of a well endowed woman. But every breast, from cup size A to DD, needs to be supported for a pain free run. This can be accomplished with one…count that again…ONE sports bra. Not two, not three, but one well fitting sports bra.

Sports bras come in three basic categories: Compression, Encapsulation, and some combination of the two. Compression bras essentially squish the breasts to the chest to hold them in place. These bras are usually best for size A and B cups, and some smaller C's. Encapsulation uses 360 degree support around each breast to minimize movement. These bras are geared toward the C and D crowd. And the combination bras do some squishing and some around the breast support and can be found in many different sizes by many different labels. Now, when we start getting into implants, it's a whole different bra game. The same rules do NOT apply so be sure to let your sales associate know that you have implants before you start the measuring process.

With many different bra styles and support technology, how do you choose which bra is the right one for you? Well, at Fleet Feet Sports we will measure you, talk you through the different bras, and help you pick the right one for you. Stop by the store and talk to a sales associate today.

BRA FIT FACTS & FEATURES....BY LAURA

(September article)

Let me introduce you to the ENELL sports bra. This bra is a lot of material, a lot of hooks, and a whole lot of support. If you measure out at a DD or DDD, this might be the sports bra for you. It is a bit intimidating to look at. Compared to the tiny, frilly 32A's, this bra is a monster of fabric. But don't let that deter you. Like most things that scare us, this bra just needs a little understanding.

The fabric and hook-and-eye closures will hold your breasts in place and minimize movement. The girls will be compressed and covered and your chest won't be flying out all over the place. The thick shoulder straps won't dig into your skin and the criss-crossed stitching in the back promotes better posture. The bra is made of moisture wicking fabric that will keep you cool even though you're wearing more material than you're used to.

The Enell is not a dainty bra. I have seen a lot of large breasted women pass over this bra simply because it is not pretty. Please keep in mind that we fit our sports bras the same way that we fit our shoes, according to proper stability. So if a sales representative suggested the Enell, give it a try. Remember, running isn't a fashion show. And when it comes to sports bras, the goal is to keep your breasts from drooping to your knees.

BRA FIT FACTS & FEATURES....BY LAURA

(October article)

You may be one of the many women out there that has chosen to get breast implants. Hopefully you are happy with them…proud of them…have a new swagger in your step…but you probably don’t go shouting from the rooftops that your breasts are not real (if you do, well rock on sister!)

If you have implants and are preparing to buy a sports bra, you need to tell your Fleet Feet sales associate that your breasts are not real. You may blush, laugh, and feel like you are disclosing very personal information…but you gotta tell us. There is a different measuring technique we use and we want to get you into the best bra fit possible.

Something to keep in mind; larger breasts will droop faster than smaller breasts, and augmented breasts are no exception to the rule. If you’ve chosen to go up a cup size or two, you need to amp up the stability in your bra. This means that if you are trying on bras at Fleet Feet and we come at you with a lot more fabric and maybe some under-wire…you can’t run screaming into the night. You may be used to teeny tiny stretchy sports bras but that wont cut it if you’ve gone from an A cup to a DD. Trust us…we’re paid to know these things.
 

BRA FIT FACTS & FEATURES....BY LAURA

(November Article)

 Before detailing another bra, I have to take a step back and mention a horror that I see and hear about almost on a daily basis. Ladies...I thought we were past this. I thought you all understood! Where did I go wrong?? I blame myself. I was unclear. Well, let me lay this issue to rest. It is not...I repeat...NOT okay to wear a sports bra over an everyday bra and pass it off as good support. And while we're at it: two crappy sports bras do not equal one good sports bra.

Oh Laura, come on. I've been doubling up on my sports bra for years and never had a problem, it's the only way the twins stay put, I don't want to spend the money, you're trying to confuse me with logic, blah blah blah. Why on earth would you wear your everyday bras under some stretchy elastic mess not even fit for a prepubescent girl and expect it to support you?? Simply put, you are forcing your bra to do something that it is not designed to do. Everyday bras are made for sitting, standing, walking and looking pretty. They are not designed for running and should not be abused as such.

So you say you haven't had any problems wearing a sports bra atop your pink push-up. But just like your feet get used to being crammed into pointy shoes, you may have just gotten used to the grooves in your shoulders, the pain in your back and chest, and the amount of movement that is stretching your Cooper's ligament by the bounce. And honestly...anyone that tells me they feel more comfortable in two bras than one hasn't tried on a quality sports bra...or is lying. The straps are too thin and dig, the under-wires are not properly cushioned, the material doesn't breathe, your chest gets sweaty and hot and things rub and poke and cling. Still sound like fun? Can anyone honestly tell me they feel comfortable in their make-do bra combo?

Now, the exception to the rule. I understand that some of you ladies with very large cup sizes (E's, F's, G's, etc.) may need to try bra combinations because your breasts are so large. And I'm talking two high quality sports bras. Not something off a bargain rack stretched on top of something made of lace. But for the majority of us, cup size A to DD, band size 32 to 44, we can run, skip, and jump in ONE good sports bra that fits. And Fleet Feet just so happens to carry those sizes!!

But why are sports bras so darn expensive? The Enell costs $60! That's crazy talk! Believe me, if I could sell amazing sports bras for ten dollars, I would. Heck, I'd give them away if it meant that I'd never have to pass another runner and see her chest flying all over the place. But I don't price bras and like most things that we purchase, the higher the quality, the more expensive it will be. Side note: This rule applies to shoes as well. If you're buying your shoes for $40, chances are you aren't getting a quality product. And when it comes to your feet and your chest, good support and stability is worth it. You are worth it!

The rule of two: If I've fit you for a sports bra you probably heard me talk about the rule of two. You should be able to fit two fingers snuggly between your shoulder and your sports bra strap, and two fingers between your band and your chest. Now go put on your sports bra. Take two fingers, hook them under the shoulder strap and pull up. If you're bra stretches to your ears then you need a new sports bra. Take two fingers and hook them under your chest band. If your bra stretches so much you could fit your fist in there...or another pair of boobs...you need a new sports bra.

Ladies please...stop making do, stop putting up with bras that don't support you, stop strapping yourself down with multiple bras, stop making me wince every time I run by you and see your breasts about to take flight. I am not above begging. PLEASE come into the store, try on a quality sports bra and feel the difference.