There are so many types of sports bras to choose from, and it can sometimes be overwhelming to shop for the right one. This is a comprehensive overview of the different types of sports bras and impact levels, which is incredibly helpful for those looking to choose the right sports bra for their specific needs.
IMPACT LEVEL
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Low Impact: Suitable for activities like yoga, pilates, swimming, stretching, or general low-intensity acivities.
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Medium Impact: Designed for moderately physical activities such as hiking, road cycling, and skiing.
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High Impact: Ideal for vigorous exercises like running, trail running, triathlon, aerobics, dancing, boxing, and racquet sports.
TYPES OF SPORTS BRAS
Compression Sports Bras: These pull-over styles don't typically have built-in cups and resemble a supportive crop top. They are best for low to medium-impact activities but may offer enough support for high-impact sports in some cases.
Encapsulation Sports Bras: Suitable for high-impact activities, they provide good support and often have built-in cups, and some may even be underwired. They are designed to offer structure and separation.
Underwired Sports Bras: These bras have wires under the cups to provide additional support. They offer a more defined and separated shape compared to non-wired styles. They are often chosen for high-impact activities.
Non-wired Sports Bras: Made from firmer, less stretchy fabric, non-wired sports bras are designed to offer compression to keep the chest still during activity. They are sometimes referred to as "mono" bras because they don't separate the chest but compress it.
The choice of sports bra type and impact level largely depends on the individual's activity level, body shape, and personal comfort preferences. It's important to select a sports bra that provides the right support and comfort for your specific sport or physical activity to ensure a comfortable and injury-free experience.