Episode 19 | SPORTS BRAS with Molly Hanks from Title Nine
by Nikki Parnell — August 7, 2020
This week we have a special episode dedicated entirely to SPORTS BRAS!! We talk with Molly Hanks, an expert in the field and the head Bravangelist at Title Nine. A good sports bra is perhaps the most essential piece of equipment for women runners – it has life changing capabilities and allows us women to keep showing up in our sports with the comfort, support and confidence that we need. We need to be free to run and frolic along our favorite trails without unnecessary bounce or discomfort from a bra that just isn’t serving us well.
In this episode we have the opportunity to pick Molly’s brain about all things sports bras – like how to measure correctly, what are common signs that a bra isn’t working, how to care for our bras, how to find the right support levels, how to minimize chafing issues (which I’m sure we’ve all experienced) and what to do in those awkward phases of pregnancy and nursing when our sizes are all over the place and “it’s like the Wild West” as Molly so accurately puts it.
This is a fun and super informative episode that you’ll really enjoy and we’re so grateful to Molly for sharing her knowledge with us! Here’s a summary of the key takeaways from our time with Molly:
Bra Fit.
How your bra fits is the biggest factor for success. Women change sizes an average of 9 times over their lifetime so getting measured and remeasured through the seasons is critical! Go get measured or measure yourself and put your numbers into the Fit Calculator on TitleNine’s website. Or to calculate your size by yourself: measure under your boobs (ex:30 in), add two inches, and that will be your band size (32 in). Then, measure around your fullest width across the nipples (ex: 35 in). Take that number and subtract your original band measurement (ex: 35 in – 30 in = 5 in). Each inch from that number counts as a cup size. Find your cup size starting at AA (ex: AA, A, B, C, D – Size D is the 5th size option, so that is your cup!) Hopefully that makes sense. Molly explains it better in the episode!
Common Problems.
One frequent problem women experience is the band being too loose and riding up (looking like a rainbow) across your back. You want the band low and snug. You don’t want to be popping out anywhere or have any pinching or digging in from a bra that’s too small.
Longevity.
Bras aren’t meant to celebrate birthdays- meaning you shouldn’t rely on your sports bra over a one year span due to fabric and compression breakdown (this is the part where Stef and I give ourselves a wrist slap for having some bras for over a decade… yikes!!). And since we’ve had some stretched out bras for so long, we’ve been known to “double up” our bras on occasion. This confession was met by Molly with zero judgement for us busy moms but she made it clear that a good bra will take the place of two crappy ones worn together and you’ll be way more comfortable. Bottom line: life can be better.
Caring for Bras.
Molly shares some tips for how to gently care for your sports bras – don’t put them in the dryer whenever you can remember, clasp any clasps before putting them in the wash, use an intimate wash bag when possible, hop in the shower with your bra on to get the sweat out in between laundry days, and possibly use anti-odor detergent to work on those glorious sweat smells our running bras accumulate.
Support.
Look at TitleNine’s Barbell Rating System to see support levels and bra sizes to get an accurate idea of the kind of bra you need. Women with bigger sizes will be thankful for band and cup sized bras (instead of bras that are small/medium/large that won’t give the customized fit one needs).
Features.
We talk about padding and underwire and their purposes – example: there are some support advantages but they mostly come down to your preferences (do you want to look like you have two boobs? Or is a compressed uniboob just fine with you?)
Chafing!
Cue the ominous horror film music and all the fake blood. The right fit will help this problem a lot – again, low, snug band to reduce any friction under the ladies. Look at your bra quality, can you feel any atrocious seems that no doubt would make your skin crawl/ rub raw? Look for bonded / seamless bras. Avoid cotton as it holds on to moisture. And as per usual, there’s always body glide.
Pregnancy!
Women typically go up a band size and 1-2 cup sizes during this season of expansion. Your rib cage is pushed out and the level of support you were once fine with is no longer going to cut it! Buy a size up as you’re growing or as needed. It’s always going to be a guessing game because everyone grows differently, but invest in a good bra so you can stay strong and keep training for the marathon of your life, which is labor and birth.
Nursing!
Now this is that Wild West unknown territory where danger can be lurking around every turn. Your running window could happen at anytime and the status of your milk bags could be anywhere from polite and little to ginormous and overflowing. Either way you need to be ready. It might take some trial and error but find that supportive bra, preferably adjustable (with band and cup sizes- no sm/med/lg) to help you run comfortably. Molly tells us about the 3-Reasons Sports Bra by Brooks which adjusts in the front so you can get home (or pause in your workout) to nurse ASAP whenever the boobs or the baby calls for it!
Post-Nursing!
Time to get remeasured! Your breast tissue is very different and less dense now, you’re going to need a different kind of support. Molly’s pick: Booby Trap Sports Bra. It’s great for some high security lockdown.
Purchasing Online.
On TitleNine’s website there are fit tips and chat teams and a luxurious yearlong return policy for women trying to find the right bras! This company is truly an amazing resource for everyone, no matter the season or size you’re in.
That’s a Wrap!
Title Nine is a women founded and owned company that goes out of their way to support other women owned businesses. All products are tested by employees so you can trust the quality and that you’re being offered products that other women love. **And Bend women – we’re getting a Title Nine store!!!!! This is amazing news, so keep your eyes peeled for that!
A huge thanks to Title Nine and Molly Hanks for all this useful information! Stef and I will also be posting a future episode about some specific bras we are trying out in the hopes that a product review could point you to your future bra love! Stay tuned!
Click the link below to listen to this episode or search “Run Hard Mom Hard” wherever you get your podcasts! Don’t forget to subscribe and share this with your mom tribe! Let’s make sure all women are empowered with the tools they need to keep doing what they love to do.
Show Notes
Check out Title Nine!
Title Nine’s Fit Calculator
Title Nine’s Barbell Rating System for finding your support level needs
Molly’s pic for a Nursing Bra – 3-Reasons Sports Bra
Molly’s favorite for Post-Nursing: Booby Trap Sports Bra
Molly’s favorite race: The Double Dipsea
Molly’s Fave Chicken Marbella Recipe: “I don’t have it written down so these are approximate levels. It’s impossible to screw up and it’s one of those things that my daughter has loved from 12 months (or whenever I introduced meat ??) until now. It’s salty and sweet and can be thrown together in like 5 min, and it cooks for an hour so you can go get a little run in.”
- 2 lbs of boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup of white wine
- 2-3 table spoons of capers
- 1 cup kalamata olives
- 1 cup of dried apricots
- a little olive oil
- Throw it all in a covered casserole dish and bake for 50-60 min at 350. Serve over brown rice and with a green salad.
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