Joanna Topor

When Oprah announced 85 percent of us are wearing the wrong bra size day and night, we at Newcity began to suspect we were making the same mistake at the gym.

Put down the cheap bras you need to wear three of for any support and let the layering madness end--there's no need to suffer through a bad sports bra anymore. Just follow our ABCs to sports-bra shopping:

Activity Level: The key to finding the sports bra that's right for you is to properly assess the activity you're buying it for. "It's all about what level of bounce you're comfortable with," said Gabby, a sales associate at Fleet Feet on Chicago's North Side. The required support for a low-impact activity like cycling will vary greatly from high-impact lakeside running. Bounce-heavy workouts necessitate bras with less stretch in the cup area to ensure your assets stay in place. Check labels--most bras will tell you what type of impact they can withstand.

Base Fabric: Usually made of polyester and spandex, some bras have started to UV-proof their fabric for your convenience. For maximum comfort during a sweat-heavy workout, pick fast-dry fabric that moves moisture away from you and allows your skin to breathe.

Coverage: Forget about being super sexy--sports bras are about coverage. Some are sized like regular bras, while others are "S, M, L" (rule of thumb, S=A etc.). Make sure the sides of your breasts are fully covered and no cleavage shoots out the middle.

Dollar Factor: Be prepared to spend about as much as you would for everyday undies. Most quality sports bras start at $30-$40, but if you're not picky about color, you can catch a good sale at Fleet Feet or Running Away.

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