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Sports bras should provide the right combination of comfort and support. Too tight, and you might compromise comfort; too loose, and you could lose necessary support. Since sports bra fits and styles are subjective, consider your type of activity to help guide your purchase: Low-impact activities may call for less support and more breathable fabrics, while high-intensity sports require more support and give. Ideally, the materials include a sweat-wicking or sweat-resistant fabric, especially for activities like running or hot yoga.
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Created just for women with larger busts, this running bra has padded straps and a soft underband to add necessary support without compromising comfort. Good to know: Lululemon makes some of the best leggings for women for workouts.
The Lululemon Run Times Bra is ideal for individuals with larger breasts who are looking for a stylish, comfortable, and functional option for high impact activities.
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Fruit of the Loom leans on comfy cotton with a bit of Spandex for support for these go-to sports bras. Ideal for low-intensity activities, like walking, the bra is also a solid choice for everyday use under T-shirts and sweatshirts, according to customers. And at about $5 per bra (or even lower if you catch a sale), the price can’t be beat.
The Fruit of the Loom Tank-Style Sports Bra is best suited for lounging around the house or doing low-impact activities with its full coverage, wireless design.
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A comfortable polyester blend and snug fit make this bra ideal for medium-impact sports, like cycling and kickboxing. The material is designed to wick moisture away from the body, and while the bra does fit securely, it doesn’t feel like a constricting piece of shapewear.
The Under Armour Mid Crossback Sports Bra is best suited for medium-impact activities with a skin-like feel and quick-drying material.
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Made with full coverage, non-stretch cups, this bra keeps the girls in place for high-impact activities including running, jumping, and lifting. It’s best-suited for individuals with larger breasts as it’s available in cup sizes C to J and a hook and eye closure for optimal fit and comfort. After a long workout, this bra is machine washable and can be left to air dry for next time.
The Glamorise No-Bounce Camisole Sports Bra is ideal for people with larger breasts to keep them in place during high-impact activities thanks to built-in bounce control.
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This comfortable bra, made with recyclable materials and spandex, helps support you while staying in place during yoga flow. Plus, the material protects you from sun exposure.
The Girlfriend Collective Paloma Racerback Bra is for those yogis who are looking for a full coverage and lightly supportive option for low-impact activities.
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This award-winning bra, great for low-intensity activity post-pregnancy, is made with nursing clips, making feeding times easier.
The Kindred Bravely Sublime Nursing Sports Bra with removable padding and nursing clips is ideal for new parents who need to breastfeed often.
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Add this push up sports bra to your collection that’ll give your breasts the ultimate lift with its patented zip, cinch, and lift design. While enhancing the look, they’ll keep your breasts in control and compressed for easy movement during high-impact exercise whether that’s running or jumping.
The SHEFIT Ultimate Sports Bra uses its patented design to push up and control breasts during exercise without sacrificing comfort.
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It can be difficult to find sports bras for plus size individuals that actually provide ample support and style. This racerback bra offers compression for medium- to high-impact activities while remaining comfortable with an elastic hem and sweat-wicking fabric.
The Superfit Hero Racerback Sports Bra is best for plus-size individuals with large breasts in need of a lift and compression thanks to its elastic hem and wide straps.
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Compression is vital when it comes to finding a sports bra, especially for those high-impact activities that may cause a lot of bouncing. This wireless bra has one-piece molded pads for coverage and lift while keeping breast flat and close to your chest. You’ll also notice a mesh neckline that allows for better breathability while in motion and at rest.
The Adore Me Brylee High Support Contour uses its one-piece molded pad and straps to provide just the right amount of compression for high-impact activities.
A padded sports bra is a great option for individuals who want extra support and coverage while wearing it. Made from four-way stretch fabric, this bra provides comfort and flexibility for daily wear whether that’s trips to the grocery store or yoga classes. You’ll also notice it’ll leave you feeling less sweaty and smelly thanks to its moisture-wicking fabric and anti-microbial properties.
The Vitality Daydream Sweetheart Bra offers ample padding for breasts of different sizes for support, coverage, and comfort. Plus, it feels like a second-skin making it a great choice for those sensitive to thick fabrics and pressure.
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Sports bras can be worn outside of exercise whether that’s for school drop off or while cleaning around the home. This support bralette with a scoop neckline is functional yet stylish with its adjustable straps and removable pads that feels like a traditional bra with a bit of added compression. The best part? You won’t experience that annoying chafing since there’s no underwire built-in either.
The EBY Support Bralette is a great option for those individuals on-the-go with its seamless construction and adjustable straps that provide natural lift and coverage all day long.
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A stylish sports bra is a must-have for those who want to stay fashionable yet functional whether that’s at the gym or beyond. The stretchy spandex and nylon blend leaves room for ample movement and flexibility while offering support for low-impact activities like yoga. Choose from one of three patterns that can be worn with a pair of leggings or sweatpants for a laid back look.
The Draper James Sports Bra is a stylish pick that’s available in three different patterns and an inclusive size range for different body shapes and sizes.
Choosing a sports bra depends on several factors.
Think about what exercise you’ll be doing while wearing the sports bra. For example, if you plan on doing yoga or going fishing, then a low-impact option is probably the best pick. On the other hand, if you’re going to a CrossFit class or running a 10k, a higher compression sports bra is better suited to keep your chest comfortable and in place.
Sizing for sports bras varies based on the brand, with some companies following traditional cup and band sizes while others have more general sizes due to flexibility and stretch. You’ll want to check with the specifics of the brand before purchasing, whether that’s via a size chart or speaking with a bra-fit expert.
An underwire style will give a more defined and separated shape compared to non-wired styles. “This means it’s encapsulating your boobs by separating them and resembling more of a shape that’s similar to our lingerie bras but with far more rigid cups and often higher necklines too, which help support you and prevent spillage,” says Mila Stojanovic, U.S. business manager at Bravissimo.
Many sports bras have moisture-wicking fabric with an open mesh design. “Others that are non-wired and compressive are usually quick-drying with a breathable fabric that wicks away moisture, keeping you cool and dry,” says Stojanovic.
Stojanovic recommends checking to make sure you’re wearing the correct size. Sports bras that are too loose around the band move around your body when you move, which can cause irritation and chafing. “We believe good-fitting bras that feel firm around the band are far more likely to be comfortable and supportive,” Stojanovic adds. “The bra band should be hugging your body to support you.”
According to Stojanovic, crop sports bras are on trend right now and they can be worn with a variety of pieces including shorts, leggings, and even jeans for daily wear. If you’re looking for a more colorful option, opt for bold hues or patterns to make your workout gear more flashy and fun.
Not all sports bras are created equal which means that there are a few factors to take into consideration when selecting sports bras. To select the best sports bras, we looked at the following:
Sports bras need to be moderately stretchy in order to move with you whether that’s at the gym or on the run. We looked for sports bras that have two and four-way stretch meaning they could be relied on for a plethora of different activities.
Nobody likes a super sweaty sports bra which is why we looked for options with moisture-wicking fabric and breathable designs.
We took washability into consideration including whether or not it could be machine washed or had to be washed by hand.
We took consumer reviews into account to see what the consensus was in terms of fit, style, compression, comfort, sizing, and functionality.
According to Stojanovic, sports bras, just like a regular bra, should fit firmly but comfortably across the back band, fully encasing your breasts (no double boob), with the straps properly adjusted. “You’re looking for varying levels of support from a sports bra depending on the types of movements and activities you plan on doing when wearing it,” she adds. “It’s great to establish if you’d like an all-rounder, something for low impact or high impact as well as possibly trying wired and non-wired styles to see what feels best and suits your needs.”
Most sports bras can be washed in the washing machine. If you’re concerned with shrinking materials, hang them on a rack to dry versus using the dryer. Dryer heat degrades stretch and wicking fabrics over time. Use either a delicate or normal setting. If your sports bra has hooks or clasps, place it in a mesh lingerie bag before washing.
The right bra for you will depend on your cup size and the level of support you are searching for, which is determined by the level of activity you intend to do while wearing the bra. By measuring under your rib cage and over your bustline, then comparing it to the manufacturer’s size charts, you can find the right size sports bra.
Most sources say sports bras should be replaced every six to 12 months, but factors like how much you wear them, for which level of impact sports or activities they’re used, and how you care for them will determine how long they’ll last.
Sports bras provide necessary support for women during physical activity. They also preserve your everyday bras, which aren’t made to withstand the increased sweat, environment (like a hot yoga studio), or impact created by most exercises and physical activities.
Yes, while it’s perfectly fine to wear a sports bra for extended periods, keep in mind that the materials are usually intended to absorb or wick sweat, so once they’ve been worn for a sweat-producing activity, it’s time to wash them.
Depending on the activity impact level, sports bras for higher impact are more compressed and supportive than lower-impact sports bras.
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