Jumping into this “women’s only” conversation … I’ve tried so many sports bras – and, in fact, have 3 different ones on order as we speak. I have 2 issues with the vast majority of these bras: (1) they’re almost impossible to get off when I’m hot and sweaty and (2) the ones with removable cups are just stupid, IMO. Those cups/pads that move around make no sense to me. I have several that have a zip front, but they’re hard to find. Without a zipper, I feel as if I need the jaws of life to get the darn thing off. End of rant.
I managed to make it to the gym yesterday for a quick treadmill run - 2.6 miles. Once again I am focusing on my HR, in large part to humor my family who don’t want me to have a heart attack. As a result, didn’t eat dinner until almost 8:30 and it was not a “good for you” meal, let’s just leave it at that. Didn’t sleep well. Today is a rest day but got in a long walk with the pups before the rain came in.
I’ll add to your rant, CBBB - all those straps! More thin little straps do not equal more support! Yes, the looks are cute but some of us are more concerned with function. Grumble. I just take the pads out, but I agree - they are stupid.
Hate the removable pads - they never stay in place even with hand washing and they never go back in right.
I have a couple of sport bra fails that I bought earlier in my exercise journey - when I was sucked in by lots of cute thin straps. They don’t provide enough support for running or anything with lots of movement so I use them for comfort and enough support for things like gardening and when I want to take off my regular bra at home but still need to walk around and see people!!!
Appreciate all the insights here re: sports bras. I’m with you, CBBBlinker – sometimes getting the darn thing off when hot and sweaty is more of a work out than the work out!
Question about laundering work out clothes in general – I wash them after each use on gentle and throw everything in the dryer on low. Fiance says it just wears them out (he air dries his stuff). I saw abasket above mention hand washing – is that what you all do? Just curious.
I generally just wash in the machine and then air dry all my dri fit tops, bras, running tights, shorts, etc. My H has been doing a little more laundry now that he is retired and has been getting STRICT instructions about “do not dry my exercise stuff!!!” I hand wash my bras if I’m traveling and don’t want to limit the # I bring or I don’t want to bring them home stinky! I also hand wash my headbands I wear while exercising by hand right after exercise. Just in the sink with some hand soap and a quick rinse!
I have a drying rack that I use for everything Lulu and sports bras. Other t-shirts go into the dryer. I wear sticky socks for Pilates and Barre and of course those are air dried as well. I have a front-loading HE washer and use “quick wash”. No dryer sheets. I have Lulu pants and shirts that are several years old, are frequently used and have held up really well, so I’m going to stick with what seems to be working!
I caught up on some posts - @SalveMater, glad you are feeling better. You got some great advice on the C25k program - I think a lot of us got started that way.
I “hand wash” my workout clothes in the washer using the handwash cycle. Never add cotton-containing clothes like tees to your tech fabrics; it will cover the surface of tech fabrics with fuzz. Air-drying is best, but no heat cycle in the dryer is also ok. And the most important thing - never add fabric softener or dryer sheets!
Interesting – thanks, all! What does adding dryer sheets do to the fabric?
Apparently, it can wreck lycra and some other tech fibers:
https://www.thespruce.com/care-for-spandex-lycra-elastane-clothes-2145820
I machine wash everything. My CW-X capris go on the drying rack, but everything else goes in the dryer with no ill effects. I never, ever use dryer sheets or fabric softener for any laundry – can’t stand the added scent of most of that stuff and don’t really see the need.
I love all this feedback but now I am super confused now about which sports top to order. I am not a hard runner obviously so it’s difficult to justify the Lulu purchase and all those straps look intimidating to me. But I don’t want to look like a dinosaur with my arms up while I “run” either 
Still, any price is worth the comfort since I am experiencing hormone induced pain in the bra region. Hmmm
I second the bra inserts rant above, useless!
Wearing the Lulu bra today to see how I like it. This one does not have removable cup inserts, it is all built-in. Padding is minimal, to the extent needed to prevent the headlight effect and encapsulate.
@SalveMater , sometimes you have to have some trial and error. I understand not wanting to pay too big bucks for a sports bra. At the same time, you will to some degree get what you pay for.
I’d suggest going to someplace like TJ Maxx, Nordstrom Rack -or even Dicks - where you can pick several off the rack of varying styles and go in the dressing room and literally jog in place (but with some vigor) to see how coverage is, how much the girls stay in place, etc. You don’t want to feel totally compressed but you do want to feel snug, covered and make sure the straps are substantial enough to not stretch etc. as you exercise.
Yup @abasket that’s where I started at the discount stores and the bras all failed miserably, lacked support and so awkard to run in. I guess I’ll just order and see what happens. Hope and pray hubs doesn’t kill them in the laundry lol. I’m not allowed to do our laundry but he does allow instructions be given to him. Just worried that the bra will get caught accidentally in the wrong pile, like my now pink, formerly white top hehe.
I think the cheapest sports bra I have now was around $70 - it was the Nike Pro Rival before they changed it all up. When I first started exercising in earnest, I bought Champion racerbacks at Target and layered two of them. I was really overweight…okay, I was fat - and that seemed to be an acceptable solution at the time. I stockpiled the Nike bra but they are at the end of their useful life so I’m relying on the TaTaTamer (of which I have several).
I think your luck at TJ Maxx and the like can vary from day to day and location to location. We simply don’t have the selection many others seem to have. Most retailers will accept returns if the tags are still on - which leads me to my next pet peeve - tags that are attached where they interfere with the fit and you can’t remove them!
I personally prefer Athleta over Lulu for my purchases. Take a look at this bra finder: http://athleta.gap.com/browse/category.do?cid=1038916&sop=true
Prices might be little less than Lulu? Not sure if there is anything in their sale section - and with Mother’s Day this weekend, they may have a 20% coupon floating around this weekend.
I’m really overweight, so maybe that’s where I’ll start also, wearing two at a time. I’m not interested in seeing fat bulging out between straps right now anyways lol
@SalveMater is that you in your CC avatar???
@abasket yes! Taken in my DD’s dorm room on mother/daughter weekend. My daughter gifted me that windbreaker because I’m a huge Notre Dame fan.
It’s a really deceptive angle which I love 
I’m still 45lbs overweight which I’m slowly working on (23 lbs down), but the illness and long work hours is making this mission impossible sadly.
Well I’m here to tell you you look GREAT in that photo! How many of us are at our ideal weight? - not me!
23 lbs down? You’ve got this in the bag!!! 