Lynx Sportswear is a smaller — compared to big name bra brands like Freya and Panache — company that makes and sells its own design of sports bra. It advertises 3 models of bras — the Sprint, the Dart, and the Zoom — based on different bust and band measurements.
So. This is my second review of sports bras that are specifically marketed to full bust customers. This is also my second review of sports bras of which I am sized out. This is not a promising overall trend.
Anyway, per their FAQ, the support for a Lynx bra comes from the sides of the bra rather than the straps or the band. Because of that, I’m guessing that the intent in a properly fitting bra is to create some kind of compression — only instead of traditional compression bras where the fronts of the cups press back toward the armpits, the compression would hold the breast tissue from the sides. Also from their FAQ, it is potentially okay for the bra’s band to be loose, given that this side support is how the Lynx bras actually work.
Unfortunately, this is difficult to for me to determine. I have not tried on and cannot try on a properly fitting Lynx bra because at the current time, one does not exist. That said, the bra I own is a 5 Zoom (Lynx has its own sizing system), which is within an inch of each of my relevant measurements. While it’s not exactly right, it’s also not too far off — so it’s difficult for me to determine that issues are due to the size (in which case, they’re limited to me) or to the bra itself (in which case, they might extend to more people).
And there are some issues.
I meant to include a pic of me wearing it, but it was late, and I was tired.
First, the band is loose. Specifically, with respect to the website description, the band is too lose to offer me adequate support. The elasticized band is about an inch tall, but it’s only a single layer thick — meaning, as far as my boobs are concerned, it is only a few steps above nonexistent.
Next, there is not enough room in the cup area of the bra. Which means that I spill out slightly while feeling a lot of constriction. (If the cup weren’t so high cut — and it is the highest cut sports bra I’ve ever owned — I’d spill out more while feeling squished less.) As this constriction is significant and uncomfortable, I have to think that at least some of it would remain if my bust measurement were an inch or so smaller (i.e., if I actually fit into the Zoom as their size charts suggest), but I’m not sure.
The upside of being held in is that the bra’s motion control is very good — probably the best I’ve experienced, actually.
The downside is that the Zoom does not play kindly with the rest of my upper body. The loose band means that the straps — and therefore my shoulders — are supporting most of the weight of my breasts. Not cool. The looseness of the band also means that it slides up during certain yoga postures — forward bends, for starters — and thus needs intermittent to frequent readjusting. Beyond that, the compression means that the bust area of the bra is, for me, quite tight (again, not sure if this is entirely a function of the size issue). This impinges on the comfortable and available range of motion in my neck, shoulders, and upper back.
Bottom line?
The Lynx Zoom is currently my go-to bra for running. My shoulders are fairly stationary there, so the motion restriction is not a huge issue. Certainly, the Zoom’s superior support makes it worth it there. That said, I’m running shorter distances at the moment (it’s still hot here), and I am quite ready to remove the bra once I’m done with a 30 minute run. Were I wearing it over longer times, I might have to reevaluate. I’m not sure.
As for yoga, this bra is not my first choice. For a more intense, vigorous practice, it might be my second choice — but it’s not without its drawbacks. The shoulder pinching makes raising my arms above my head or reaching behind me (as in devotional warrior)… do-able but uncomfortable. The chest compression makes most twists and some forward bends… well, it’s not like they’re impossible to do at all, but the bra actively keeps me from entering what would otherwise be my fullest expression of the pose.
And I mean, there is certainly merit in learning to accept one’s limitations — but one’s sports bra should not have to be one of those limitations.
I purchased this bra with the pennies from my own piggy bank. I have not received compensation from any party in exchange for this review. All opinions here are my own.
