Try Patty's Caddies - Your jiggly bits will thank you!
Written: Apr 26 '05 (Updated Apr 26 '05)
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Pros: Comfortable, great support, large variety of colors and sizes, reasonably priced
Cons: None that I can think of
The Bottom Line: A high intensity sports bra that is stylish, comfortable and supports. This is an excellently designed and made sports bra for women wanting support with a bit of style.
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| PattyTherre's Full Review: Champion Women's Action-Tech Sports Bra |
Men wear jockstraps when engaged in some sports and women wear sports bras for much the same reason. Well, not the same reason, but to protect our important jiggly bits from injury.
Having explained that piece of newsworthy sports info, my jiggly bits were in need of a good sports bra to stop the bouncing when I worked out. Often, with low impact workouts, a woman, particularly a small-busted one, can get away with a cheapie $4.00 sports-type bra for workouts. But when you engage in sports that require a lot of movement, a good sports bra is essential.
I tried all the cheap ones. I didn’t want to waste a lot of money on a special bra just to work out in. I figured they were all about the same, just in different colors and styles. I was very wrong.
You should choose the sports bra you need by the level of impact and motion of the sport you engage in. Lower impact sports such as walking generally require very little support. Medium impact sports such as low impact aerobics, fast walking, and some strength training workouts require a medium intensity sports bra, and then there are the bouncy, moving all over, running here and there sports that require a high intensity level sports bra.
Although I don’t always jump around like a mad woman, I do find myself wrapping an arm around my jiggly bits when I am working out, especially to fast dancy workouts and very brisk walking with inclines. (Running shall never be done by me unless there is fire and even then, I think I would briskly walk out of the building if possible).
After a lot of trial and error and many wasted dollars, I found the sports bra of my dreams. If there is a Cadillac of sports bras, this Champion Action-Tech Sports Bra is it.
The Official Word
The official Champion Sportswear website, www.championcatalog.com, describes this gem like so: The famous Action-Tech Champion Sports Bra. It's America's best-selling sport top--the standard for all modern sports bras. Gives you superb support to help stop damaging bounce.
The Fit
This sports bra is made for high intensity workouts but looks and feels like a less restrictive model. While there is an element of compression which is necessary to stop the jiggles, it doesn’t bind or squeeze you in and make you feel as though you are undergoing a mammogram like some high intensity sports bras do. You can’t be effective in your workout if you’re worrying about whether you’re squeezed so tightly that you’ll never spring back once the bra is off.
There are no cups in this model. The compression is such that the bra is straight across the bust. This style is a pull over type with no hooks to bind or dig into the skin. The racer back styling keep straps firmly in place and the “patented” keyhole back allows for ventilation. There is a comfortable band at the bottom that aides support.
This one stretches four ways so, wherever you go, it goes. Some sports bras tend to stay put when you move and that’s not what anyone with a serious workout on their mind wants. The cool wick lining really does wick away perspiration and keeps you cool and comfortable.
The Fabric
The combination of 43% cotton, 43% polyester, and 14% Lycra is perfect. Cotton is great for ventilation and staying cool while the polyester helps the sports bra keep its shape after many washings and is comfortable on the body. The spandex is just enough to give the bra stretch without being so stretchy that it allows you to jiggle around.
Colors
I hate, hate, hate white sports bras. I feel like I am walking around in a big grandma bra whether I workout indoors or out where people can see me. This sports bra comes in a huge array of fabulous solid colors as well as stripes. We’re talking: black, birch heather, harbor blue, navy, lemon, orchid pink, fuchsia, bazooka, seaside blue, Champion red, lettuce, retro pink, harbor spring stripe, red string stripe, seaside rugby stripe, and oh yes, white and white mesh.
These are such great colors that I had buy a few of them just for variety’s sake. I found that I don’t just wear these sports bras to workout in. The cool colors and stylish look makes them a good choice for layering or, if you have toned abs you want to show off, as a crop top. Because they are made to compress, don’t expect cleavage, but the look is streamlined and the fit is so good that you won’t even realize that you’re wearing such support.
Sizing
Finding the perfect fit for you is nearly foolproof with this sports bra. It comes in S (32A,B,C,34A,B), M (34A, B, C, 36A,B), L (36B,C, 38A,B), XL (38C,40 B,C), 2X (40C, 42 B, C), 3X (42 C, 44B,C) and 4X (44C, 46 B,C). If, by chance you fall into two categories, go for the larger of the two so you won’t be too compressed. These fit true to size. My size L fits my 36C jigglies perfectly.
Prices
I expected this sports bra to be very expensive. I have seen some for upwards of $80.00 and, since this one was so highly touted, I shuddered at the thought of what it would cost. There was good news and better news. The price was $31.00. But, at the time I clicked on the Champion Sportswear website, the price had been reduced to $19.99, as were all sports bras on www.championcatalog.com. That, my friends was a steal. I took the opportunity to add a stripe and a red to my collection. Even at the $31.00 regular price, the support and comfort far exceed the price.
Buying Info
You can buy this sports bra at several online sports outlets as well as some clothing websites. The official site, as I stated above, is www.championcatalog.com, and I find they often have great sales, so do check there before looking elsewhere on the net. I have seen these bras in Champion stores as well, but the ones near me have gone out of business and I am not sure if that is the case with them all or just my area. I am sure they can be found in good sporting stores in your area. I have not personally checked these stores for availability and I am a compulsive internet shopper.
The “Survivor Series”
It is worth noting that there is also a “Survivor Pink” Action Tech Sports Bra being sold at this time (April 26, 2005) on the official Champion Sportswear site. It is the exact same bra but in a light shade of pink. $1.00 goes to Breast Cancer research for every one of these particular sports bras sold in Survivor Pink. For that reason, even if you hate pastels, you may want to pick one up if you’re buying more than one.
The Bottom Line
My jiggly bits deserve the best. I wear the Cadillac of sports bras for all sports now, not just high impact ones. I also often wear one around the house because they’re that darn comfy and nice looking. If you are in the market for a sports bra for any activity, do give this one a try. The cost is very reasonable even at the full $31.00 price (but sales abound) and it washes and wears well. No sports bra will feel like you are wearing a tiny triangle bra and we wouldn’t want them to. We want support and his bra gives plenty yet still manages to be comfortable and stylish. Five stars for Patty’s Caddies!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 31 & 20 sale
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