I am passionate about fitness. That's why I incorporate it into my daily life, and that's why I became a Beachbody coach! I talked about my opinion of the Best Workout Pants Ever not long ago, but what's also important are your undergarments while working out. I started wearing sports bras during 10th and 11th grade track practice. I don't think I wore them for over ten years after and just threw out those same gray cotton sports bras just last year! Gross! I only remember there being cotton sports bras in black, white, or heather gray. Maybe that's why I thought they all fit the same too! When I started to work out in Sept 2013, I went to Target and got some size small sports bras off the sale rack, gray and black but stretchy wicking fabric this time. The more I studied fitness, the more I saw fashionable and colorful sports bras worn by females in fitness. Also, the more I washed my two rotating sports bras, the wider the elastic band got, and the day I tried to jump rope for the first time since the elementary school playground was the day I realized my sports bras were doing nothing for me! I went back to target and tried on an XS. I jumped up and down in the dressing room a time or two and noticed I may as well have been wearing nothing! Despite the loose fit, I almost called for help when I couldn't finagle my arms out of the thing and both arms were stuck over my head constrained by this elastic that was so tight, yet held nothing in place when it was fully around my torso. I eventually maneuvered it off and left the store empty handed and exhausted from the workout I had jumping and trying to get out of this contraption. Let me correct myself, I never leave Target empty handed, but I had no fitness apparel in my bags this go around.
That's when I did some observing and some internet browsing, and a lot of trial and errors ensued in dressing rooms across the tri-county area. There was no way I was going to feel confident in my workout clothes allowing me to be able to focus on form and mentally prepare myself to work toward reaching my fitness goals if I felt like I may or may not appear on the next People of Walmart's site while working out. Game on. I also didn't want my daily hard work to be healthy and fit, which is luckily accompanied by a better body, to only add gravity to my chesticles from cardio moves. Defeating the purpose is not in my game plan to get fit! I would not stop until I found the best sports bra.
I have a narrow torso, and a short torso and shoulder area. It's funny I have had this body over 30 years and didn't know I had short shoulders, I guess I'll call it! Even if I found a secure elastic band under my girls, I had no support because the straps were too long so to say. I realized I had to find adjustable straps. Adjustable straps that are thick enough to not dig in and leave shoulder marks? Did they even exist? I needed XS straps with a S cup area. I didn't need top overflow like the XS provided. Forget about bending to pick up a weight in that outfit or quadraboobs appeared creating a butt under my chin. Just call me a busted can of biscuits but way up under my chin. I try not to create reasons for people to stare at the gym of all places.
Along with the best compression leggings of all time, Victoria's Secret's innovations took the lead again! I purchased the 2 for $49 sports bras. My first purchase did not have adjustable straps. The waist elastic actually sits quite low too. I loved the back in both look and comfort, as opposed to the common racer back cut sports bras. They actually fit quite well. (I own the hot pink, teal with neon yellow accents, and pink and white horizontal stripe colors.)
Victoria's Secret the Player Open-back sports bra (medium support)(photo courtesy of www.victoriassecret.com)
Next I bought one with thin adjustable straps during a semi-annual sale. It does tend to reveal some cleavage while teaching my PiYo classes. This one is tight enough to do it's job! (I own the black and checkered ingram pattern, orchid, and neon orange colors.)
I ordered this next one thinking the hooks along the bottom front would be ideal instead of fighting to get a sweaty sports bra over my head each night. The sizing is the same as a bra size which gives many more options! I loved that it would give me a shape without flattening too! I couldn't wait to get it in the mail to try on so I could order even more! It was a disappointment. It was so hard to get the material over my head before wrapping the sides around to hook, and then I couldn't see where the hooks went after getting that far. Taking it off and on every time would be too time consuming, and I might have pulled an arm muscle while trying.
Victoria's Secret Ultimate Cross-Train Sports Bra (Maximum support)(photo courtesy of www.victoriassecret.com)
Thumbs Down!
Thumbs Down!
Luckily I had also ordered the Ultimate (not cross-train). The straps can be crossed in the back, or stand horizontal like a regular bra. In other words, It can be put on like a regular bar, totally avoiding any over the head struggling! It has plastic underwire, giving me a shape. No more pancakes! This style is also ordered according to bra size and not S,M, L. The straps aren't as thin as the Cami above, so the added support is great! My one pet peeve was that the cups didn't fit super snug against my skin, so I would have to size down in cup size but since they didn't have my size so I don't own the style below.
Victoria's Secret Angel Sports Bra (medium support)
(photo courtesy of www.victoriassecret.com)
I recently visited the store to try the front-zip, which sounded up my alley!
The big debate here is the Incredible vs the Knockout.
Victoria Secret Sport Incredible Front Close Victoria Secret Sport Knockout Front-Close
(photos courtesy of www.victoriassecret.com)Surprisingly, there were enough things that I loved that I got both, but I wanted to list out the facts when comparing for you to be aware:
-Knockout and Incredible Has under wire!
-Knockout and Incredible No over head struggle!
-Knockout Has built in cups that clasp in the front that is covered by the front zip
-Incredible Has a hook and eye close and also zipper. (The hook and eye just gets in the way and is unnecessary, can't even be fastened, and makes it hard to zip the zipper up or down if hooked closed.) It does have a V neck for even better shape!
-Knockout I did some yoga moves in the dressing room and I felt an irritating seam rubbing me wrong on my back but the worst part was the front close plastic clip rubbed a bone felt a little tighter to inhale.
-Incredible The straps are a little too thick! They dug into my collarbone tightly when I raised my arms, and twisted on the metal clips, made loud creaking sounds, but I could inhale, and I would probably not notice when not focusing on it.
Ugh doesn't anyone test these things out before mass production?
(That color has multi strap back and the others in the Knockout style have racerback).
I don't know why they don't call it something else to lessen the confusion!
(photos courtesy of www.victoriassecret.com)
The above were purchased at www.victoriassecret.com
Investing in sports bras that fit and are of good quality body-wick nylon is worth your money!
Just months ago, I would have thought this was ludicrous!
"Y'all gon make me loose my mind, up in here, up in here."
Wait, that's DMX, not Ludacris.
"1, 2 meet me outside."
These are items that don't hold onto stench, and can handle a good amount of wear and tear from washing! I recommend to those who workout 4+ times a week.
While on the subject, you can see that undergarments are no laughing matter. In Target, I did pick up a few things more recently, but different from the ones I originally spoke about that didn't work for my body type. This is a more stretchy material and can be layered, or worn on lower impact days. Most importantly are the cotton lined seamless undies I found 3 for $10. There are perfect to wear under my leggings because I don't feel them, but have an extra layer. These are no hassle, no lines can be seen, and they stay in place!
purchased at www.target.com
Comment or send me a tweet to let me know your favorite sports bras too!
-Erin
*All products mentioned were personally purchased and this post was not sponsored by the companies.
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These are just amazing! I bought these for myself last week and I wear them with my Carbon38 tank tops. I look like one stylish being in the gym sometimes, certainly not being proud of it but I do feel happy about it. Fantastic share!
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