Boobs. They come in all different shapes and sizes.
Running with boobs? It can be challenging….because boobs come in all different shapes and sizes! And truthfully, sports bras haven’t always come in different shapes and sizes.
And how about running for a LONG time with boobs (like 26.2 miles?) It can cause all kinds of pain and issues- chafing is my biggest issue (underarm and right in the front/center- ouch!)
Well, apparently, some of my issues were because I was wearing the wrong size sports bra!
I am not the only one with this struggle- Did you know that the average American woman wears a 36C bra, however the vast majority of sports bras are built for A and B-cup women.
This is where Title Nine comes in; Title Nine has tested thousands of bras and found just the right ones to support our workouts and our curves, whether you’re a 32AA or a 40DDD.
The right fit in a sports bra is really hard to find, so I was really excited to get invited to a preview party at Title Nine last night in advance of their upcoming Fit Fest. Along with a few of my favorite bloggers (Erin from Sweet Sweat Life and Hyedi from Finding a Balance), I experienced a taste of what Fit Fest will entail.
The coolest part about this preview event (and what you will experience at Fit Fest) was the personalized bra fitting by a Title Nine “bravangelist!” There were several Title Nine ladies on site to help, but I worked mostly with Julia (the store manager) and Molly (in from the Title Nine headquarters in California for the event!)
So helpful!
Molly measured me to get my true bra size. Based on that size, she brought me several different sports bras to try.
My personal preference is a racer back. Maybe its a mental thing, but I feel like a racer back bra is a bit more supportive. So even though I liked the Booby Trap, it wasn’t racer back and I felt that the straps wouldn’t be supportive enough.
I tried to make the Athena Bra into a racer back (which was definitely an option- convertible!) and it was probably my second choice for favorite bra:
Instead, I was drawn to the Trade-Up Sports bra by Shock Absorber. This is a brand I’d never heard of and Title Nine is one of the only stores that carries this brand.
It’s funny, as Molly (who was my #bravangelist) wears a similar size (sports) bra as me and this is one of her favorite distance running bras. This is what she says about the Shock Absorber bra:
Molly’s Pick “This bra gives me amazing support without a lot of bulk. Unbelievable! By far the best support I’ve found for high impact sports. Wicks away moisture and allows me to stay cool, not clammy.”
More positive reviews!
“Our go-to larger-breasted tester has forsaken her go-to sports bra. She describes it as trading up. The Trade-Up (we’re talking bra not boyfriend here) supports her like the dickens and yet cools with mesh in all the right spots. She says the two-point closure system is tricky the first time or two, but then it’s a snap. 89% poly/11% spandex. Cushioned adjustable straps. 32-38 C, D, DD, E(3D)”
Of course, I had to fall for the most expensive of all the bras. The Trade-Up Sports bra by Shock Absorber retails for $79. It’s an investment! But I figure that I spend twice as much as that on shoes and I’ll wear this sports bra longer than I wear my shoes, right?
But seriously, this bra..it was amazing.
It was super soft and light; it didn’t feel like I had a bra on, yet it was incredibly supportive. It eliminated all bounce. It was the right fit for me. I can’t wait to wear it.
I love this bra.
…and it matches my running shoes. #soamazing
Speaking of long-lasting wear, we were given lingerie bags for our bras for proper laundering. I plan to utilize this bag when washing my new bra!
At the event, we put the bras to test by participating in “Bounce-athalon.” Ha! My bra held up well to hula hooping, jumping rope and bouncing on the “hippity hop ball.”
Hopefully that means it will hold up to 26.2 miles of running!
(Pictured below: the Fits-to-a-T Sports Bra. It was a contender, but not the winning bra for the night.)
RSVP here:
If you RSVP here, you’ll be entered to win a free bra. You can make an appointment for a personalized bra fitting during this special event. Why come during Fit Fest? Because there will be TON more sports bras available. You’ll have the opportunity to check out Title Nine’s styles and sizes that are only available for the Fit Fest.
But even when its not Fit Fest, Title Nine carries a TON of bras. I had no idea what a great selection they have- two full walls of sports bras for all shapes and sizes.
Not local to the Twin Cities? You can still get a personalized fit at your local store (find yours here!) or by using Title Nine’s online Bra Genie or you can chat with a bravangelist by phone at 1-800-342-4448. Lots of options to find the RIGHT FIT!
Exciting news for all of you!
I am giving away a Title Nine bra of your choice! The giveaway is open to anyone in the US and will include a personalized fitting (either in-store or by-phone, depending on your location) and one bra.
*Winners within driving distance of a Title Nine store will be asked to redeem their prize at the closest/preferred retail location.
To enter this giveaway, leave a comment here about SPORTS BRAS. For an additional entry, please tweet about Fit Fest using the @TitleNine handle and #T9FitFest hashtag. Tweet to me too @TheRightFits so I know you are entered! Make sure you enter ASAP, I’ll randomly select a winner next Tuesday.
Good luck in finding THE RIGHT FIT in sports bras!
Wow this is an interesting post about sports bras! I am a very petite person so I don’t have the struggle of not enough support but I do have chafing problems when I use certain types of bras. How often do you change/buy new bras?
I feel like I go through them pretty quickly- once it starts to have that sweaty smell even after laundering immediately after the runs, I need to get a new one.
I would love to enter to win for this drawing!!
The bravangelists at Title Nine said that your sports bra shouldn’t celebrate a birthday…With that said, I definitely don’t replace mine that frequently. I have enough that my rotation is pretty big and I can usually tell (elasticity declining, etc) when they are ready to be retired!
Shock absorber is super popular in the UK and it’s what I wear! Didn’t realise they were so unknown in the US! Only thing to watch is that the back clasp chaffed me during the Mara (but never before that, think it was cause I kept dumping water down my back)
[Obviously I’m not entering as I am UK based :-)]
That’s awesome Scallywag! I had never heard of this brand. You guys have all kinds of sweet fitness apparel (Sweaty Betty, Shock Absorber!)
I think most bras will chafe when its as hot of a run as your marathon was!
I am a smaller endowed runner and love sports bras that flatter not flatten. I’m always looking for recommendations.
Thanks for entering the giveaway Erin. Title Nine has something for all shapes and sizes!
I am smaller chest but generally keep my sports bras wayyyyy too long and many need to be tossed and upgraded.
Haha, I hear ya Julie! Fingers crossed you’ll win and get to add a new one to your rotation 🙂
I love sports bras, but have a hard time finding ones to fit my frame. I need good support with adjustable shoulder straps. I’m petite, but have a large bust, so the S, M, L sizing does not work for me. I’ll definitely need to check out Title Nine Bras, I found several on the website that look fantastic!
Most of the bras I tried at Title Nine were band and cup size, (i.e. 36C, 34D, etc). I think you’d have good luck there!
For me, adjustable straps – (around bust and shoulders) are a must. The S, M, L sizing does not work for me, I can’t ever get the right fit.
Lots of the bras at Title Nine had adjustable straps- including the Athena one that was convertible into a racer back. Good luck finding the Right Fit!
I have learned that having the right bra has made a difference in my comfort and running. Sounds like I need to make a trip to Title 9!
Yes, the right fit in a sports bra is so so important!
I just ordered some from there. and none worked. I wish they would say what brand they are sometimes. the tank was awesome! thanks for the chance!
Oh I’m sorry the ones you ordered didn’t work!!! Maybe working with a bravangelist would help!
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/JEToppert/status/746630135269441536
Great!
I hate sports bra shopping! I’ve only found two bras ever that have worked for my larger bust and can take long distance running. I hate bouncing and all that. I wonder if Title 9 would work for me.
I hope that Title Nine would work for you! They have lots of options for larger busts. Good luck!
Like Scallywag, Shock Absorber is my absolute go-to sports bra as well. I wonder if the bras have slightly different names in the US to the UK though, as the one you chose looks like the one I go for and here it’s known as the Ultimate Run Bra. It always wins the awards in magazines etc for the best running bra. I also like what is known here as the Active Multi Sports bra for gym workouts.
I hope you enjoy yours!
Interesting! You guys have a great sports bras in the UK! I am loving it so far.
I don’t know much about sports bras! I’d like to win for a special friend =)
And I tweeted: https://twitter.com/A__Martin/status/747142537370968064
Thanks Aaron- the first male contestants! Good luck!
[…] Pure Barre. Title Nine Fit Fest preview party after work! Thursday: [solidcore] at 5:30 am. Great class- I missed it so […]
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/missfrugal/status/747376883277381632
Awesome!
I’m in the same boat as Erin “I am a smaller endowed runner and love sports bras that flatter not flatten. I’m always looking for recommendations”
Title Nine sounds like a great spot to look!!
I think Title Nine has bras for all bra sizes. Good luck!
Every running bra I own is made by Moving Comfort-but you have written about a few new bras I should try out lately. Thanks for the reviews!
Awesome Paige! Thanks for entering the giveaway!
I would love to find a sports bra that fits and flatters. I’m pretty flat chested, so I like one that supports but also provides a little padding for modesty and ‘form’.
Thanks Erin. Good luck!
This looks like a fun event! I’m glad you found the right fit! 🙂 And… I hope I win the giveaway! haha! 🙂
Ha! Fingers crossed, but I’ll be sure to make it fair and square!
I have good luck with racerbacks from Athleta but may check out T9 sometime
Thanks for posting about this! I have terrible problems chafing right in the middle of my chest and it’s about time I try to find a better bra to fix this since I’m training for my first full because of your inspiration!
Yes, that is exactly where I had chafing. Apparently I was wearing too big of a band size. Good luck!
Need to get there this week! I can’t wait to do a bra fitting. My sports bras I’ve had since 2012 will have to go! 🙂 thanks for posting all this awesome info!
Yes those oldies need to be retired! Good luck!
Excited for the potential opportunity to see what small top runner options they have out there. Thank you TRF!
Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Always on the lookout for new sports bras for high intensity activity. I tend to keep mine too long because the styles I like seem to keep being discontinued.
[…] blog, I became more comfortable wearing only a sports bra. I’ve had to share pictures as part of promotion or to review a product. It’s difficult to do this without getting comfortable with […]
[…] have the knowledge to size you correctly in a bra that is perfect for you. Locally, I recommend Title Nine- I had a great experience there for a bra fitting, and that’s where I picked up my most […]