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May 8, 2008
Bettysport caters to athletes on the go
So women, it’s that time of year where less is more when thinking about what to wear outdoors.
And Bettysport, Austin’s only fitness specialty store dedicated solely to women, is here to help you look good doing it. They are locally owned and have two locations — The Domain and Downtown at 12th Street and Lamar Boulevard. They carry 40 brands of gear — ranging from Nike to Adidas by Stella McCartney — perfect for running, marathons/triathlons, swimming, tennis, dance, yoga and pretty much any other activity you can think of.
Price ranges are:
$25-$62 for sports bras (ranging from sizes 32A to 56DDD)
$24-$50 for running shorts
$20-$60 for running tops
$85-$135 for running/technical footwear
$30-$135 for casual footwear
$40-$80 for tri-tanks/tops
$40-$95 for tri-shorts
$29-$64 for skirts
$40-$84 for yoga pants/capris
$20-$60 for yoga tops
$25-$50 for yoga mats
$40-$70 for gym bags
$59-$129 for sports watches
$79-$249 for sunglasses
But surprisingly, clothes are not their specialty - it’s bras. From my conversations with Bettysport co-owner Stephanie, most women are not wearing the right bra while being active. Either they are too small or big, don’t have the right support, or are the wrong material which, in turn, can cause chaffing.
Bettysport is in the process of launching an “Only Balls Should Bounce” campaign to help women who need help with the fit of their bras. So if someone approaches you at Lady Bird Lake with an “Only Balls Should Bounce” Bettysport business card, take it seriously and get some help.
To make sure that doesn’t happen to you, here are some very helpful tips on how to find the right bra:
You want a bra that will prevent damage to breast tissue, keep your body in proper running form, and one that will stay comfortable even through the long runs. The three most important things are support, fit and material.
There are different bras for different activities. Be sure that the support of your bra matches the impact of your activity. High-impact bras are best for running; medium-impact is for cycling; low-impact is for yoga/pilates.
Proper fit is the key! Try on different sizes and styles. Straps and bands should not gape or dig into the skin. The middle of the back band should remain at an even level from back to front. Jump around and clap your hands above your head. The bra should not ride up or twist.
“Performance” fabrics are a must. These materials wick sweat away from the skin, keeping you cooler and preventing chafing. Seamless bras or seams with rolled edges are also nice for preventing chafing.
Prolong the life of your bra. Wash in cold water with a sport wash. Never use fabric softener, and always line dry. Elastic in bras should last for about 75 washings. For most women, this means about a year.
Depending on your cup size, you may need a specialized bra. This means you may need one that is cup-sized (i.e. 34DD) instead of a basic compression style of bra that is sized simply small, medium or large.
Fit and support trump aesthetics. The bra that fits and supports you best may not be the cutest bra. Like running shoes, you must find the one that supports you the best and not just pick a bra based on the way it looks. If looks are important to you, try wearing a black bra — the dark color seems to hide the lines and appearance of the bra better than lighter colors.
For more information on Bettysport, visit their Web site.
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