A few weeks ago I received a mysterious “Save-the-Date” for an upcoming Nike event that was super hush hush and top secret…details about what was to be shown at the media preview was not revealed until I arrived at the event space last Friday morning. Nike takes their “Research & Development” very serious so when I discovered the event was to discuss new innovations for women’s training, I immediately thought it had to do with footwear but I couldn’t have been more wrong. The event was to introduce the new  Nike Pro Bra Collection, which has been in development for the last two years.

The sports bra is the heart of every women’s workout, or at least it should be. As Canadian Nike Master Trainer Eva Redpath reminded us last last week, it is the very first thing we put on when getting ready so how could it not be important? And just like we chose footwear according to an event or activity, we should be wearing the right bra with appropriate support for the type of exercise we do. Each woman has a unique shape and because of the many different types of fitness activities, there has definitely been a need for an innovative range of bras that can accommodate every female athlete.

Having the wrong size or ill-fitting bra can be catastrophic and deter women from certain types of exercise or working out altogether. I was appalled when I discovered that 1 in 5 Canadian women ages 18-34 have avoided a workout because they didn’t have the right sized bra and more alarming, 46% had no idea that an ill-fitting bra can have a negative impact on their health.

The new Nike Pro Bra Collection (out next week) will feature 5 bras designed for different levels of support. The focal point of the collection is the Nike Pro Rival Bra, which I am wearing above, priced at $75 CDN. It has the highest level of support within the range and will be available in 25 sizes ranging from 30B to 38E. Different aesthetically to the sports bras I’ve worn most of my life, the Rival was inspired by lingerie construction using sport appropriate materials. It is the only bra in the new collection with separate full-molded and contoured cups to deliver additional support and shaping. Other styles that will be offered are the new Nike Pro Fierce $60, the updated Pro Classic $40; which also comes in a padded version $45 and the Nike Pro Indy $50.

Here’s the skinny…I’ve trained in the Rival over the last week and although it felt odd at first not having the uni-boob situation from the Pro Classic that I adore, once I got over the idea of having both breasts separated, I noticed that I had never experienced that level of comfort before. The best part – it’s versatile enough for running, gym/outdoor training, yoga, pilates, and even with street clothes. The Nike Pro Bra Collection will be available for purchase starting July 9th in Canada at Nike stores, Sporting Life, select Sports Chek locations and sports retailers nationwide and will be available at Nike stores and Nike.com in the U.S. July 14th.

*Starting July 11th, my friends at Nike will be hosting an NTC Pop-Up Studio in Toronto where you ladies can be fitted for one of the styles from the collection using the 360 Nike Fit System, get a chance to trial your bra during one of the daily free NTC workouts and connect with your buddies at the site’s juice bar and patio.

Where:       548 Richmond St. West (near Richmond and Portland) Toronto

When:        July 11th-August 28th 2014

Schedule:  Mon to Fri 11am – 8pm (NTC workout held @ 6:30 pm) and Sat-Sun 8am – 6pm (NTC workout @ 9am & 4:30 pm)

Visit 548Richmond.com to schedule your bra fitting appointment at the NTC Studio now!