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Sports Bras: Choosing the Right One for You

 

How many of you think of choosing a sports bra like you do regular bras?

I definitely wouldn’t have been in that category until recently. To-date, I have always chosen sports bras that are:

  1. Cute
  2. Reasonably priced (meaning on sale)
  3. Last forever (because who has time to constantly shop for bras?!)

I am one of THOSE people who buys new bras maybeeee every 3 years (?) and only during the Victoria’s Secret Annual Sale. Bras, and sports bras in particular, seem to fall well below my ‘priority’ list.

Recently tho, I’ve discovered an intense dislike for some of my ‘cuter’ bras because they ride up during pull-ups or burpees (like, my boob is seriously half way out the bottom), and leave some pretty intense marks on my shoulders. So while writing this article, I had to do a bit of research and was STUNNED at what a ‘proper fitting sports bra’ should feel like. I think, as of right now, I currently own 1 proper fitting sports bra.

According to Runners World, an improperly fitting bra ‘can result in discomfort, chafing and strain on the breasts’ supportive tissue – the Cooper’s ligaments – which in turn can eventually lead to sagging. Once stretched, the Cooper’s ligaments cannot revert back to their original position, so it’s important to support your breasts, no matter how far you’re running.’ (https://www.runnersworld.com/uk/gear/clothes/a763747/how-to-choose-a-sports-bra/)

K, DEF. don’t want THAT. AND they say you should replace after 30-40 washes! YIKES. I’m way behind on that.

In full transparency, I am an 34A but have wide shoulders and rib cage. I want my bigger-breasted women to know that I was thinking of them during this article (all the women in my family have anywhere from F-G sized breasts, so I am well aware of the pain, discomfort and annoyance that large breasts bring while shopping/moving/sleeping/standing/etc.)

Hopefully, if you’re like me, this will give you some helpful tools and allow you to find bras that are supportive, cute AND actually work like they should.  

Sports Bra Support (because apparently you need different ones for different activities?!?)

I mean, yes of course, it makes sense that since I have different pants for different activities, I should have different sports bras, but it seriously never crossed my mind. So now there’s that…

Sports bras are designed to provide three levels of support: low, medium and high support for use in low-, medium- and high-impact sports:

Sports Bra Construction

I’ve definitely been wearing compression always…maybe not to my benefit either.

Find your Sports Bra Size

Step 1: Rib cage measurement. Measure around your rib cage, just under your breasts. The tape measure should be snug but not so tight that it interferes with normal breathing. Round down to the nearest inch.

Step 2: Band size. Using the measurement guidelines below, find your corresponding band size based on your rib cage measurement.

Step 3: Bust size. Measure around the fullest part of the breast. Be sure the tape stays straight across your back. Round up to the nearest inch.

Step 4: Cup size. Subtract your rib cage measurement (step 1) from your bust measurement (step 3). The difference in inches is your suggested cup size. If you’re between sizes, round up.

After all of that, what really matters is that the band isn’t too tight, the straps provide support and you feel comfortable in your sports bra of choice. I really appreciate REI for doing such a comprehensive job on their research, and want to give major credit to their site for most of this information. 

All-in-all, I think it’s safe to say I need to go shopping LOL. Let me know where your favorite place is to get sports bras!

[1] https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/sports-bras.html

 

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Kaia Tri is a ten-week triathlon training program with workouts three times a week, which is an optional extra during our spring and summer CORE sessions. We swim, bike, and run, with some cross-training classes too. By being able to set a personal pace, our triathlon training program is suited to beginners tackling their first race and intermediate athletes looking to improve their finish time.

Our mock triathlons run several times to familiarize women with the course route. We finish the season with a Triathlon Training Camp which includes paddle boarding and power workouts. The next day is our exhilarating and fun Triathlon race day for all Kaia Tri women to enjoy working out in a beautiful location. Friends are welcome too!

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Kaia Sandbag combines traditional fitness with unconventional training methods. With sandbags, the weight shifts and moves in an unpredictable fashion. This piece of equipment is integrated into our conditioning & strength building workouts to simultaneously develop strength, power, endurance, mobility, and balance – with an additional emphasis on developing overall core strength and stability.

New to sandbag training? No problem! Beginners are always welcome.

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TRX® Suspension Training® body-weight exercise simultaneously develops strength, power, endurance, mobility, durability, balance, flexibility, and core stability. Whether you’re younger or older, out of shape or a pro athlete, injured or at the top of your game, TRX Suspension Training meets you where you are and takes you where you want to go. TRX Suspension Training leverages gravity and the user’s body weight to enable hundreds of exercises that can be instantly scaled for any user to reach any fitness or training goal. The easily-scalable nature of TRX Suspension Training makes it a practical solution wherever you are on the fitness continuum.

Need a little extra boost to keep your body guessing? Our TRX/Cardio class is an excellent complement to any Kaia FIT session. TRX workouts, which can be used by anyone at any level, builds true functional strength and improves flexibility, balance and core stability all at once. Mixed with cardio, the classes give every member the perfect balance of challenge and success.

*TRX classes not available in all areas. Please contact us your local studio.

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Our trademark Kaia Cross-Training™ classes are a unique mix of cardio, functional movement, and both weighted and non-weighted exercises.

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Each day brings a new workout. We have an elite group of advanced coaches who infuse each workout with their own flair and focus, meaning you’re never going to repeat a workout, avoid burn-out, and fitness plateaus.

Keeping the body guessing is key to sculpting lean muscle mass. We also have a 3-part modification foundation: Balance (non-impact); Strength (mid-impact) and Kaia (high impact). Each exercise has its own progression so that everyone can feel successful.

As a part of our program, we also offer nutritional guidance to help you make healthy food choices and keep your fitness on track.

What are you waiting for? Join us today!

BARRE

Our barre-based class is a unique combination of postures inspired by ballet, yoga, Pilates and Kaia. Using the barre as a prop to balance, you’ll complete a series of isometric holds combined with high reps of small range movements to elongate and tone your major muscle groups.

In addition to the barre, classes incorporate pilates balls, yoga blocks, and/or resistance bands for increased endurance, challenge and focus. Following each set of holds, you’ll rest and recovery with a short series of stretches and poses to increase flexibility prior to advancing.
Kaia Barre is a low-impact class that perfectly complements our program offerings. Meet us at the barre and try your first class for free!

Participating locations may vary. See the schedule page for more details.

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Our dance fitness class is rooted in traditional dance. We use those foundational moves and offer a class that is easy enough for beginners yet challenging enough for the more seasoned dancer. The simplicity of the routines allows you to keep moving with ease. Although this is a workout, it feels more like a dance party with your girlfriends.

RUNNING 

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Kaia Yoga combines mind and body with a power yoga and core-strengthening weekly workout with Pilates-style techniques. We focus on balance, strength, and cardiovascular fitness through stretching, strength training and dynamic movement to improve overall fitness levels.

By creating long, lean muscles, Yoga promotes improved coordination, greater flexibility and a fuller range of motion, with a strong body that’s less prone to injury. Yoga keeps the mind centered and reduces stress through positive thoughts and a sense of mindfulness, which also inspires mental strength and confidence.

Yin Yoga, or restorative yoga, is a quiet contemplative practice. It targets the deepest tissues of the body, our connective tissues – ligaments, joints, bones, and the deep fascia networks of the body. Poses are held for 1 minute or more and transitions between poses are gentle and slow. This class is an excellent compliment to our other classes, provides dedicated stretching, and is known to reduce stress and anxiety.

6-WEEK BRIK BOOTCAMP

Our BRIK Bootcamp sessions are offered three times a year and are designed to help you reach your health and fitness potential, and you’re welcome to start anytime!

Our BRIK Bootcamps are six weeks long and feature classes daily.* This programming fits in seamlessly with our regularly scheduled classes, and it’s as easy as 1-2-3:

  1. Register for BRIK Bootcamp HERE (included for Platinum & Gold Memberships)
  2. Book your classes through our branded app and Show Up
  3. Let our expert coaches do the rest!

These sessions offer great results in weight and body fat loss and an increase in strength and cardiovascular endurance. Our nutritional support will boost energy, help you de-bloat, increase sleep quality, and enhance your overall glow.

BRIK Bootcamp includes:

In between BRIK Bootcamp, we offer a variety of classes to meet you at your level! We also have nutrition and fitness challenges, in addition to fun opportunities to spice up your routine. What are you waiting for? Join us today!

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Cardio based, calorie torching workout with certified spin instructors. It’s a party on a bike!

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