Comments on Cranky Fitness: A good one's hard to find.

Most of the time I do not need significant support...

2009-11-16T10:57:38.744-05:00

Most of the time I do not need significant support as I'm not doing something all that "bouncy". I only run during interval training.

However, I like a nice supportive bra, ideally of the non-smoosh variety. I'd love to find the right one that closes in the front.

Why? Because on the days I do my upper body weight training my arms are screaming in pain by the time I get to the locker room. My skin is all sweaty and the bra is moisture glued to my body.

Trying to pull a bra off over my head - and turning one around for a back hook?- hurts so much I nearly cry. If I strength to do it all.

Some days I've had no choice but to shower in my bra, letting the water ease my muscle soreness a bit while loosening up the grip of the bra.

A good front hooking bra would make life much less painful.

essbee, thank you for making me take another look ...

2009-11-02T07:32:40.422-05:00

essbee, thank you for making me take another look at Decent Exposures. The last time I looked was more than five years ago, and I think they've expanded the sizes available in 100% cotton. The fact that they consider A-E the "smaller" sizes is promising, and they say cotton is suitable for light support or "those who have not worn a bra in a long time." It sounds like they really get it.

Mary Anne in Kentucky

In case there are other plus sized ladies who read...

2009-10-26T21:52:01.947-04:00

In case there are other plus sized ladies who read this, I have always found Junonia has great sports bras. They have band sizes in most models up to 48/50, and cup sizes up to G.

I'm another big fan of Champion bras! I've been t...

2009-10-23T19:38:52.824-04:00

I'm another big fan of Champion bras! I've been through many different sizes (and even shapes!) in my weight loss journeys, and I always find something at Champion that works perfectly. Plus, they are very affordable and have great sales!

Ebell all the way. Best sports bra EVER! Expensi...

2009-10-23T06:19:32.683-04:00

Ebell all the way. Best sports bra EVER! Expensive as hell but worth every penny!

Another Cause She Says So fan here-38DD to be exac...

2009-10-22T23:25:51.868-04:00

Another Cause She Says So fan here-38DD to be exact. I wear it for running, but it works for everyday wear too!

Another vote for the original Champion. (Also, ha...

2009-10-22T23:15:02.896-04:00

Another vote for the original Champion.

(Also, has anyone made a little mesh bag for men yet? Because I would so buy that.)

After years of marathoning in two sports bras (as ...

2009-10-22T05:13:35.963-04:00

After years of marathoning in two sports bras (as a measly 36D), and chafing holes just under my sternum, I sought the advice of a Fleet Feet bra fitter a year ago, and found Moving Comfort's Fiona. Since I don't wear it for anything but running & biking & triathlon swimming, the front adjustment strap works well for me even (literally) on the run if I need a little less bounce. The fitter (Thanks, Jemissa!) suggested I go a band size smaller than in dress bras, and Voila, no chafing, even on 12-15 mile runs in August with 100% humidity. Has anyone tried Moving Comfort's Helene (or Helena) bra??-- it's supposed to be encapsulating not uniboob,but I haven't found it to try on locally and I'm REALLY tired of catalog stuff not fitting.

@Mary Anne: Wow, that sucks. FYI, there is a com...

2009-10-21T16:00:44.144-04:00

@Mary Anne:

Wow, that sucks. FYI, there is a company on the web called Decent Exposures...their bras ain't what I'd call pretty, but they're not kidding about sizes. 30-54, AA-L (dear heavens, deliver me!). You choose your fabric, including a 1005 cotton option.

You seem to be content as you are, but there's help there if you want it. (You could also try "all-cotton bra D" in Google...lots of hits, some better than others.)

I've lost almost 45 pounds, and all has changed bu...

2009-10-21T01:48:39.183-04:00

I've lost almost 45 pounds, and all has changed but my bra size. I wear Title Nine, too, one step down from the major smooshage one. I have two different types, one better than the other, and I never remember which is which. One of them is okay for jumping jacks (which I detest), and the other, not so much.

The Last Resort bra is the one and only bra I can ...

2009-10-20T22:49:00.351-04:00

The Last Resort bra is the one and only bra I can run in. It doesn't completely stop the bounce, but it does at least hold it down to about a 2.5 on the Richter scale (I probably could have gone a size smaller but I thought it'd be safer to err on the side of being able to, y'know, breathe).

I've found that the best sports bras are running b...

2009-10-20T21:13:43.310-04:00

I've found that the best sports bras are running bras. They're stabilizing, comfy, and cute. I personally use a purple Nike bra - it's amazing!

{Rant Warning.) I have been allergic to polyester ...

2009-10-20T20:01:49.100-04:00

{Rant Warning.) I have been allergic to polyester since the mid-seventies, and to other synthetics for almost as long. I Do Not Wear Synthetic Underwear! This means, as a 36D (the last time I measured, which was years ago) I cannot find a bra to fit me. I haven't checked Title 9 or Just My Size in years, but they used to have all cotton bras--up to a C. I gave up looking in the early eighties, and I've been bra-less ever since.

Now since I don't run, and no longer take dance classes, this does not bother me. I walk, I ride the stationary bike, very rarely I swim, I used to play an occasional game of volleyball (when you might think I'd need a sports bra, but I was comfortable without) and my knees and ankles are unlikely to agree to my doing anything bouncy on a regular basis. But it still make me mad that my choice is to bounce or to feel prickly from three seconds after I put a bra on until I rip it off three minutes later.

Mary Anne in Kentucky

Okay, so I'm solidly in the middle-endowed group (...

2009-10-20T19:50:13.670-04:00

Okay, so I'm solidly in the middle-endowed group (and my sister HATES me for it, she of the F-cup and then some while breastfeeding) and even less so when I keep up with the running but I'll cop to being incredibly picky.

My criteria: underwire for separation, serious compression for minimal movement, wicking since I sweat like a racehorse, regular back closure since taking something wet and sticky and tight over my head makes my shoulders dislocate, laundry-friendly since I am the world's laziest clothing caretaker (although I do line dry).

My bra - I have four and seriously am buying an additional three for my increased running and continued lazy laundering schedule: Champion Double Dry Seamless Full-Support Underwire Sports Bra (CH6242). Retail $42, but $35 at my local Sports Basement where I can almost always get 10%-20% off just for breathing (meaning I have to pay tax but not shipping). Also on super sale - $25.99 - at the moment at Champion (taxed in CA and many other states, but free shipping for orders over $75).

http://www.sportsbasement.com/istar.asp?a=6&id=6242!CJ

http://www.championusa.com/Champion/Products/Women-Champion/Women_ShopByCategory-Champion/Women_SportsBras-Champion/Women_SportsBras_Bestsellers-Champion/CH6242.aspx

Comes in "asphalt" and "rich berry" in addition to your standard black/while on the Champion site, if you're into that kind of thing.

I tried the Fiona since it promised separation without underwire and that sounded good, but the front strap adjuster always ended up right on my collarbones, and chafed like hell when I was wearing a pack or racking a bar. YMMV, obviously.

Also, love Title 9. My husband complains every time I get their catalog that there's nothing similarly cool for short guys who are a little thick in the middle. =)

As a DD myself, I've gone for the double bra since...

2009-10-20T16:59:53.676-04:00

As a DD myself, I've gone for the double bra since high school - a normal everday bra topped with a sports bra. Then I get support from the normal bra and smushing/lack of bouncing from the sports bra.

One bra would be much nicer, and probably work a lot better. :)

Good Lawd Yes!!!! I have resorted to wearing two, ...

2009-10-20T16:26:37.972-04:00

Good Lawd Yes!!!! I have resorted to wearing two, count em, two sports bra for my workouts. I just loved that double-rolled sausage look! I have 1 Champion bra that actually fits well for running,kickboxing, and zumba and something fell on my head the other day that said - hey lady - search the web for that thing.

Viola! Champion online sells is (Sports Authority has it too): Champion Double Dry® Action Shape Sports Bra onsale for $24.99 for us amply supplied gals! I'm ordering two this week and another two in two more weeks!

Any tips for women out there who might measure out...

2009-10-20T15:47:31.093-04:00

Any tips for women out there who might measure out as a 32F-cup?

Oh, I'm going to check out some of the suggestions here, because I think you were being silly, but that is TOTALLY my bra size. And my ribs are getting smaller. (Not my boobs, oh no, that would make life easier. I don't lose actual boobage weight, just ribcage weight. At one point in college I wore a 28DDD. TRY finding a bra in that size. *sigh*)

Ladies, I'm a 36DDD jogger, and I find what works...

2009-10-20T15:14:11.628-04:00

Ladies,

I'm a 36DDD jogger, and I find what works best for me is a regular underwire bra with an inexpensive compression bra on top. I've tried may of the $50+ sportsbras and they don't work as well.
cammi99

I second whoever said the Enell sports bra. I'm a...

2009-10-20T15:09:17.278-04:00

I second whoever said the Enell sports bra. I'm a 38F cup and it's the only thing that lets me run and do Zumba without serious injury.

I have to confess that I don't own a sports bra! ...

2009-10-20T13:52:14.862-04:00

I have to confess that I don't own a sports bra! I'm not even sure where I would be able to buy one in my size in this part of the world... Women my size aren't expected to be sporty. I must say it hasn't bothered me much, since I don't do bouncy stuff - I swim, walk, do Pilates and strength train. But when I progress to running, I'll be sure to strap the girls in tightly.

I used to want to get a boob job until I started r...

2009-10-20T13:47:08.042-04:00

I used to want to get a boob job until I started running regularly. Now I'm happy I have a small (A-cup) chest and can wear the cheap-o sports bras from Target with no problem.

Oh, the difference a good sports bra can make! I ...

2009-10-20T13:34:04.793-04:00

Oh, the difference a good sports bra can make!

I love Glamorise bras. They have sports bras that smush (Sport Max front closure) and other models that don't. I like the Sport Max best, because they don't chafe; run, spin, or triathlon, the girls stay put. (I'm a 42DD.) Just My Size has them on sale quite often. The Champion bra is comfy, but not quite as supportive for me and it chafed me one time, so it's been demoted to low impact or regular wear.

When I started out with exercising last year, though, I didn't want to spend money on new bras until I'd lost some weight. I had many cotton-blend, no underwire bras, so I just doubled up my regular bras when exercising until I was ready to buy new ones.

Boy did I need to read this thread! I always have ...

2009-10-20T13:15:00.479-04:00

Boy did I need to read this thread! I always have bra problems. I am going to follow-up the suggestions in this post.

Terrie

Sigh This is not a problem for me. I've gotten...

2009-10-20T13:08:20.201-04:00

*Sigh* This is not a problem for me. I've gotten up early to go running and didn't even realize I'd forgotten to bra-up until AFTER the run.

There are a few advantages to being severely flat-chested...

Easy to take off? ;

2009-10-20T12:59:57.934-04:00

Easy to take off? ;

Comments on Cranky Fitness: A good one's hard to find.

Most of the time I do not need significant support...

essbee, thank you for making me take another look ...

In case there are other plus sized ladies who read...

I'm another big fan of Champion bras! I've been t...

Ebell all the way. Best sports bra EVER! Expensi...

Another Cause She Says So fan here-38DD to be exac...

Another vote for the original Champion. (Also, ha...

After years of marathoning in two sports bras (as ...

@Mary Anne: Wow, that sucks. FYI, there is a com...

I've lost almost 45 pounds, and all has changed bu...

The Last Resort bra is the one and only bra I can ...

I've found that the best sports bras are running b...

{Rant Warning.) I have been allergic to polyester ...

Okay, so I'm solidly in the middle-endowed group (...

As a DD myself, I've gone for the double bra since...

Good Lawd Yes!!!! I have resorted to wearing two, ...

Any tips for women out there who might measure out...

Ladies, I'm a 36DDD jogger, and I find what works...

I second whoever said the Enell sports bra. I'm a...

I have to confess that I don't own a sports bra! ...

I used to want to get a boob job until I started r...

Oh, the difference a good sports bra can make! I ...

Boy did I need to read this thread! I always have ...

*Sigh* This is not a problem for me. I've gotten...

Easy to take off? ;

Sigh This is not a problem for me. I've gotten...