Many of us don't realize the importance having a good support system until it's too late: The sports bra.

With a lifetime in the fitness industry, numerous industry colleagues and students in the past years have approached me with burns, marks and cuts from straps, the type of material or mere design of the bras they work out in. The common question I am approached with, "What kind of sports bra do you wear?"

The following is a checklist to aid in choosing an athletic support top that will allow people to run, jump, cycle, lift, step, jab, kick and more without the usual and sometimes embarrassing unnecessary comforts one gets from the wrong sports top

STRAPS

Straps should be snug but not restrictive with sufficient padding. Larger breasted women usually prefer racerbacks or T-backs because they offer more support. Adjustable straps are a growing trend. They allow you to adapt the support of the bra to suit different activities from lifting weights in a gym, running outside or Turbo Jam™ at home.

STYLES

Encapsulation bras have molded cups or built-in liners. Compression bras press the breasts against the body. While A- and B-cup athletes can wear both kinds, larger-breasted women typically prefer encapsulation styles.

FABRIC

Look for moisture-wicking fabrics. These are typically a blend of cotton and synthetic fibers--cotton for softness and synthetic for dryness. Many athletic designers and brands have developed lines of 'friction-free' bras with special fabrics sewn into areas prone to chafing like around the nipples, over closures and around straps systems such as "CoolMax" linings that whisk moisture away from the skin.

ARMHOLES

Armholes should allow for a full range of movement in all directions without pinching underneath. There should also be no "spillage" out of the armholes.

THE GORE

This refers to the front of the bra, how high it rises from the bust to the neck. Generally, as a woman's bust size goes up, so should the gore. The key is to have full support and to prevent portions of the breast from "spilling" over.

CLASPS AND CLOSURES

All seams, hooks, clasps and underwires should be covered with a soft, moisture-wicking fabric. To avoid severe chaffing, endurance athletes should look for bras that are seamless. These are mostly made with a circular knit, eliminating most of the panel seams.

Now that you know what to look for... trying them on is the next step. It's time to go shopping and you'll find most tops are not to heavy on the pocket book, ranging around $40 dollars. Additionally,

Ellie is a staff writer for Chalene Johnson creator of Powder Blue Productions where the latest trends in Fitness wear are found (www.turbowear.com). Also the creator of Turbo Kick™ and PiYo™, Chalene developed Powder Blue to be a fitness-minded company. For more information about Turbo Kick™, PiYo™ or Turbo Wear, go to www.turbokick.com or contact 800-315-2505.