8 Rules of sports bra shopping

8 Rules of sports bra shopping

Also check out the Women's Health "Best Sports Bras" for your body.

1. Look for sports bras that encapsulate each breast in a separate chamber; they reduce bounce and support better than simple shelf bras.

2. Try to find sports bras that come in cup and band sizes rather than just small, medium, or large; they usually fit more precisely
Read more tips

3. Look for strategically placed seams and stitching, which help cushion the breast. (Hate bumpy ridges under a fitted tee? Companies like Isis, Asics, and Champion make seamless sports bras.)

4. Pick high-performance fabrics that wick away sweat to minimize chafing (look for CoolMax or Double Dry).

5. Own a variety of sports bras, and when in doubt, choose a higher-impact bra for a lower-impact sport--never the other way around.

6. Get fitted by an expert. You can find bra fitters at most department stores or lingerie shops.

7. Before buying, jump, swing your arms, and move around. If a bra pokes, rubs, slips, jiggles, constricts your breathing, or bulges, put it back. Also, it should fit on the first hook; as it loses elasticity over time, you'll need room to tighten it.

8. Rotate your bras and wash them regularly so you can get at least a year's use out of each one