That's Fit

As I have mentioned before, I'm not a fan of carrying anything with me on a run. However, there are certain things I need -- house key, iPod, maybe my phone if I'm going a long distance, even money for really long runs that take me past a gas station. But seriously, there is no way I'm holding on to all that, and I'm pretty sure nobody wants to accept a dollar from my sweaty sock at mile five.

My friends at gracie's gear were kind enough to send some samples of their Power Pouch sports bra and top, and I am sold. Number one, and most importantly, the bra provided excellent support -- throughout a long, intense workout, there was no bouncing or chafing, and if felt phenomenal.

Secondly, the bra is cute -- I have black with pink, but it comes in a bunch of other colors. And it's not low-cut in the front, so it's perfect for those of you who are self-conscious about showing cleavage while you work out. But these aren't the things that set gracie's gear apart from other sports bras.

One of the beautiful things about online shopping is that there are some phenomenal deals to be had. However, unless you spend a portion of most days checking out your favorite online stores, sometimes it's hard to catch the best deals. And, if you're anything like me, you know there's no reason to pay full price for workout clothes -- if you can afford to be patient, the items you need will always go on sale.

Shop It To Me Running is a fast, easy, and commitment-free way to score great deals on the workout clothes you need. From shoes to sports bras, you can select the brands and sizes you'd like to receive updates on, and when those items go on sale, Shop It To Me Running will email you. You can opt to receive notifications daily, twice weekly, or once a week.

While I'm excited to receive my next update, the thing I'm most thrilled about is how much money I could save on shoes. I was able to enter my exact shoe preference (Mizuno Wave Elixir, Size 8). I know it can be scary to order running shoes without trying them on, but if you have a specific brand and model that you've worn (I'm on my third pair), there's really no risk.

Could the movement of your breasts within your sports bra create enough energy to power a small device, like an iPod? The short answer is yes, it certainly could. But there's more to it than just bouncing them around enough to create energy -- that energy then has to be harnessed.

Slate recently had an article on what would need to occur in order to harness the power of our swaying breasts (I mean actual energy power -- not the power to stop men in their tracks or knock over a small child), and believe it or not, there's some serious technology already at work regarding this. However, each possibility has its problems.

For example, one researcher has fabric made of nanowires that could easily be used to create a bra. However, it couldn't be washed -- ew! And then, there's the Lightning Pack technology that's already at work in backpacks for serious hikers and the military, and while this technology could be used on the bra strap, there's a generator and a piston involved, and, long story short, it just wouldn't be too comfy.

For women who exercise, a sports bra is an essential piece of workout gear. For one Colorado state hiker, her sports bra became a lifesaver.

Jessica Bruinsma fell while hiking in the Bavarian Alps. Too injured to leave the place where she fell, she took off her sports bra and tied it to a cable that lumbermen used to transport timber. As luck would have it, the cable was out of service when she fell. When it was repaired, her bra moved down the line until it reached the bottom, alerting workers who then called authorities.

Jessica's quick thinking may have saved her life, but she's not letting this accident slow her down. If she recovers from this injury in time, she plans on training for a marathon.

Choosing the right sports bra requires attention to a number of factors. First and foremost is your bust size. Obviously, the big busted woman is going to require a different type of support than a woman with small-bust needs.

Second, take into account what you need it for. Playing basketball or jumping rope requires a different level of support than going for a walk, and it really is important that, if you plan to do some jumping activities, you find a bra that keeps you from bouncing.

SheFinds.com came up with a comprehensive list of the Best Sports Bras using the editors' expertise as well as input from readers. There are bras for busts large and small made for all different activities. Check them out in the gallery and be sure to leave a comment sharing your favorite sports bra!

According to this article on Trendhunter 73% of women don't wear a sports bra when exercising -- is that right??? Ouch ladies! Maybe we'd all be a little more inclined to support ourselves adequately if we could find customized support tailored to our individual needs. Shockabsorber does just that, by having women take a quiz to narrow their activity level and cup size down to a specific recommendation of a sports bra with the right support and fit in all the right places. Sounds awesome, although I will say it looks like some of their styles are downright functional (read: ugly!) to look at.

As fabulous as we at That's Fit think this blog is, the truth is there are hundreds of wonderful blogs on healthy living to be seen all over the blogosphere. So in this feature, Fit Links, we'll introduce you to some that have caught our eye.

Think that sports bra is working? Think again. Recent research suggests that typical sports bras aren't doing enough to support women during their workout. When comparing compression bras -- which tend to simply flatten the breast -- to encapsulation bras that support each breast individually, the encapsulation bras won, hands down. But they still may not be good enough, especially with those of you who have more to support. Luckily, manufacturers are working on a bra with "smart" technology that will keep things in place so that you can enjoy your workout without pain or annoying tugging on those straps.

In the meantime, here are some links to help you choose a good sports bra. Does anyone have any brands they'd like to add to this list?

About.com's Top 10 Sports Bras for Women

Zafu's Great Sports Bras That Fit

FitSugar recommends Fiona

I'm not a huge fan of mint anything, really, so the fact that I'm not at all excited about a sports bra scented like peppermint is no surprise. But what do you think? FitSugar has a poll going on the topic, based on the new Reebock Pulse Scented Short Bra Top which "releases the refreshing scent of peppermint" when you workout. It seems like more people like it than don't (48% cool, 38% not cool, so far), but I'm not convinced. I keep thinking that it doesn't keep you from sweating so what does 'sweaty peppermint' smell like? That could be downright nauseating.