Taming the Ta-Tas: Best Sports Bras Do More Than Support

Me Mondays: 

DISCLAIMER:
I received one or more of the mentioned products for the sole purpose of this review. No other compensating was given and all opinions expressed are 100 percent my own. (Accordance with FTC's 16 CFR Part 255, "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.")

With all my adventures to find new and exciting ways to get exercise like hot yoga, pilatesbarre and spin, I needed to look fab while I looked fit. Thus also began my search for the best sports bra, which actually began as a personal quest to replace an old sports bra I had come to rely on for more than six years. It had "carried" me through a large part of my life - my new boobs after my breast reduction, marriage, several 5Ks, weight loss/weight gain and two kids... And had never let me (or the girls) down. Unfortunately, the wires had shot completely out on both sides and I figured since I couldn't read the tag any longer to find a new one, it was time for a new one that could keep me and my girls under control for another six years. I had no idea it was going to be so hard to find a [GOOD] sports bra. 

Thus the search began.  I just didn't know that it would take me down so many paths to get there! So while I did find some great recommendations for keeping the girls in place while running, I found SO MUCH MORE! 

Recommendations, referrals and internet searches galore. And then I found a great expert! Kim Larson, a Colorado triathlete who wears a 34E bra knew how difficult it was to find a good bra to fit her girls, so she opened her own boutique to help other women find their perfect bra.

“There is no one sports bra that works best for everyone – or even for different people of the same size. BoulderFields was opened to find the perfect bra for every woman regardless of her shape or size.”

Of course, lululemon's ta-ta tamer II would make it on the list for best sports bra. While it has some cute designs, has adjustble straps and works well for some, it wasn't my favorite one I tried.

Based on sales at BoulderFields, the best-selling bras are Shock Absorber bras (various styles, A – HH cups, 30 – 40 bands) and Enell (C – DDD cups, 32 – 52 bands). Shock Absorber does a lot of research behind their products at the University of Portsmouth and they show it with their BOUNCE-O-METER (you have to see this!) While the Enell bras had rave reviews all over websites, it honestly had to be one of the bras I'd run AWAY from if it was my only choice. 

The Shock Absorber Ultimate Run Sports bra claims it reduces bounce up to 78% and has the research to prove it. That and the two buckles in the back tell you this bra means business. (I haven't had a chance to try this one, but I'm going to very soon!)

Lynx Sports Bras were developed for large-breasted women by a female athlete. Within the first year of their introduction, they were top rated by Runner's World magazine. 

The Naked Sports Bra is a racer-back style sports bra that covers the shoulders and upper torso with a tan-minimizing micromesh fabric.(No tan lines, ladies!)

Gracie’s Gear “Short Top" provides the extra support you need and gives you a "hands free experience," so you can stop holding your iPod, cell phone, and car keys and get going. 

Available only on Etsy, TOM Girl Apparel's Wireless Push Up Sports Bra adjusts to your changing size with Velcro brand fastener adjusts eight or more inches to adapt to weight loss and fit hard to find sizes. (While not a great high-impact bra - oh what could happen there - it is a good option for yoga or around the house.)

The IntelliSKIN Empower Sports Bra is the first sports bra developed that supports your front from the back, providing gentle support and aligns your spine and shoulders to help you re-train your posture. 

Check out this real "sports bra!" I don't think this one will do much for your run time, but the Wine Rack allows you to bring your booze with you to sporting events and gives you a little extra sizing as well (at least until you drink it." 

  

My favorite I was able to test drive was the Panache Sport, a British brand specializing in lingerie for larger cup sizes. 

Panache Sport offers an innovative, bra-sized sports bra for B-H cups. Panache spent three years in intensive research and design to develop a sports bra that truly works for larger cup sizes. Whereas many sports bras rely on compression (that is, flattening the bust to the chest wall to minimize movement),Panache's sports bra uses encapsulation - separately encapsulating and supporting each breast. The result? The new Panache sports bra reduces bounce by 83%, in all directions, making it a perfect choice for any type of sport or activity. And because it also has a lovely hook so you can opt to adjust the straps, which is great for yoga. And for those runners, my girls stayed right in place! (Hallelujah!)

I'll be honest, I never thought I would find so many other things a bra could do! I hope a few of these can help you find one to keep your girls in place or "whatever" you might need those babies to do! 

This post also appeared on Star-Telegram's Mom site.