This website requires the free Flash plugin to be installed.

Fitting Room

Why wear a sports bra?

The breast does not contain strong intrinsic structural support and so ligaments can easily stretch during exercise.
A large number of women feel some kind of pain or discomfort if they exercise without a supportive bra.
A good sports bra will reduce the movement and pain of the breasts during exercise.
The fabrics used in sports bra’s is often high-tech with strong elasticity and wick away moisture or allow greater ventilation.

Type of sports bra

Compression bra – the breasts are compressed against the body and are designed to support the breasts and minimise bounce.

Encapsulation bra – supports each breast individually in a separate cup like the traditional bra. Usually have a sturdier construction.

Impact levels

As a guide, the higher the level of activity, then the higher the level of support you will need. However, your cup size is important too, as the bigger the cup size, the higher level of support needed.

Low impact pursuits – Walking, Weight Training, Rock Climbing, Road Cycling, Yoga.
Medium impact pursuits – Spinning, Skiing, Tennis.
High impact pursuits – Horse Riding, Running, Mountain Biking, Aerobics, Squash.

At Active-Underwear Ltd, we mainly sell High & Medium impact bra’s.

Tips to get a good fitting sports bra

The strap around your body should be firm but comfortable. The firmness of the fit is especially important with a sports bra - as a guide you should be able to run a finger inside the band – any more and it may become too loose with wear, or the band may ride up during exercise. The band should be level all the way around your body.
Your breasts should be enclosed in the cups and the fabric of the cups should be smooth.
The fastening should be on the loosest hook to start with, so that it allows for the bra to be tightened up when it has been “worn in” in a few weeks time, as washing and wearing will relax the fit.
Remember that breast size can change with weight loss or gain, menstrual cycle or depending on manufacturer/style of bra.
Make sure the clasps and fastenings don’t dig into your skin.
Consider design – the Y back (or racer back), ensures the shoulder straps don’t slip, where a back panel provides extra support and improves posture.
Once you have found the right sports bra – buy two!
Try decreasing the band size and increasing the cup size, if the band size is too loose.

My bra doesn’t fit me properly?

Bra rides up the back or moves around when you move – the back size is too big, try a smaller back size and move up a cup size.
Straps dig into my shoulders – the main support should come from the band around your back, not your shoulders. You are probably wearing a back size that is too big. Alternatively, loosen the shoulder straps.
The bra digs in under my arms and sticks out at the front (away from the body) – often the cup size is too small and your breasts are forcing the bra away from your body. Try a bigger cup size.
My breasts are bulging at the sides and top of bra – the cup size is definitely too small, try a bigger cup size.
The cups are wrinkly or lumpy – usually a sign that the cup size is too big so try a smaller cup size.