It’s 2024 ladies, there’s no time to waste wearing the wrong sports bra. Just like our partners, our sports bras should have our back, support us in times of need, and boost us up. No matter the shape or size of your boobs, you can discover the perfect-fit sports bra with us. Our sports bras are designed to keep your breasts supported properly during both your hot yoga sessions and your tempo runs, and we know every pair has their own requirements.
From strappy back bras that give minimal support but maximum style, to supportive high-impact bras to wear while running, we’ve got stylish sports bras for your every workout.
Find yours now.
How To Choose The Right Sports Bra Support Level
Why The Right Sports Bra Is So Important
Finding the right type of sports bra has never been so easy. With stylish designs across the board, you can feel confident even in your high-support bras, which historically haven’t been all that pretty.
But it’s not all about looks, our sports bras serve a function, to feel comfortable, and support you, for every breast size and shape, and every workout.
So what are the benefits of wearing the right sports bra?
Wearing the right sports bra is important not only for the protection of your breasts but also for your athletic performance. Clothes can hinder us as much as they can support us, and comfort is a priority when it comes to our sports bras because wearing the wrong one can cause us issues we’d ideally like to avoid.
Why is wearing the right sports bra is so important?
Breast bounce can be at its worst, painful, and often distracting, so wearing the correct support bra can minimize chest movement, allowing you to concentrate on your training.
Aside from your sports bra, your skin is the only thing supporting your boobs and keeping them up. Wearing the wrong sports bra can put a lot of strain on the breasts, causing tissue damage, and stretching the skin, which can cause irreversible damage to your girls and their perkiness.
The right fitting sports bra can help eliminate experiencing soreness in your breasts, but it can also take away discomfort caused by tight straps digging in, or a too-tight or loose underband.
How To Find The Correct Size Sports Bra
So you know why the right sports bra is so important, now it’s time to make sure that find the correct size sports bra for your workouts.
Unlike getting a traditional bra fitting, you can measure your accurate sports bra size at home through a series of three simple steps spelled out to us by our Senior Bra Developer, Nicki Hall.
You’ll need a non-padded and non-wired bra* and a flexible tape measure at hand.
The steps to find the correct size sports bra are as follows;
Measure your underbust
Measure your bust
Check your measurements against our sports bra size chart
For detailed instructions on how to measure your underbust and bust size, check out our sports bra sizing guide.
Once you’ve figured out your bra size, you’ll next need to figure out what support level you need in your sports bra. Yoga sports bras are very different from running sports bras, but luckily, in this article, you can find out what support level is best for you.
How about ensuring your existing sports bras fit correctly? Well here’s how to check if they fit right;
Check The Straps - 20% of the support from your sports bra comes from the straps. You should be able to place a finger underneath your sports bra straps, loosen if you can’t, but don’t go too loose.
Evaluate The Tightness of the Underband - the underband should be sat firm at the top of your ribcage and stay in place if you lift your arms above the head. 80% of the support comes from the underband so if it’s too loose, size down.
Assess The Cup Size By Testing Out Exercise Movements - jiggle around in your sports bra to see whether your boobs sit comfortably if they poke or bulge out at all, or if the cup feels too big or saggy and has any air pockets.
What Are The Different Types Of Sports Bra Support Levels?
The three different types of sports bra support levels are;
Low-support
Medium-support
High-support
"But what style of sports bra is right for me?" It's one of the hardest questions within the boob-sphere. You know how your sports bra should fit, you understand the importance of its support and by now, you're happy to call yourself a veteran of the all-important "bounce test"... but those are just the basics.
“Unknown to many, athletes may require the same amount of breast support during power walking as they do during sprinting, and a lack of support has the potential to cause irreversible damage.” – Professor Joana Wakefield-Scurr, Head of the Research Group in Breast Health.
The support level of your sports bra (available in light, medium, and high) is just as important as its fit. With a steady increase in women ditching the workout t-shirt altogether, believe us when we say that the search for a sports bra that is not only suitable for the type of activity we're doing but also happens to look good and make us feel confident, is high.
Which sports bra support level is right for you falls down to three things:
The type of activity you'll be using the bra for - higher-impact activities require more support.
The size and shape of your breasts - large busts may need more support than smaller chests even in lower-impact activities.
If your bust is soft or firm - softer busts may need more support from their sports bras day-to-day.
Our sports bras are available in three impact levels; high, medium, and low support, so whether you’re a runner, a yogi, or you consistently hit your 10k steps a day, you can find the right sports bra for all your activities.
Find out more about our sports bras below:
Support levels are completely subjective and, depending on your bra size and the firmness of your breasts, you might feel more comfortable in a high-support sports bra even when you’re doing low-impact exercises or running errands at the weekend. We’re just offering you a little insight as a guide. You know what's best!
Types Of Sports Bra
There are three main types of sports bras available; an encapsulating bra meaning it is cup-sized, compression which is alpha-sized (XS, S, M, etc.), or a combination bra which is a hybrid of both styles.
Encapsulation
An encapsulation sports bra has two separate cups that support each breast individually like a traditional bra. This is a more structured style of sports bra that usually features adjustable straps, back fastenings, and underwiring, and they are sized like your everyday bras using cup size and underband, such as 34C, or 36DD for example. This type of sports bra is suitable for all cup sizes, especially larger chests size C and above, and is recommended for high-impact activities like HIIT and running.
Compression
A compression-fit sports bra provides all-around pressure to the chest area to secure the breasts and minimize movement. Your compression sports bras are usually a pullover kind and often feature a racerback design. They tend not to have adjustable straps and don’t have separate cups, but the centerpiece lays flat against your chest when on. This type of bra usually only offers medium support at most, so we tend to only recommend compression sports bras for running for those with a smaller bust size aka a B cup or below.
Combination
Combination sports bras are a mixture of the encapsulation design that supports both breasts individually and the compressive design that compresses the breasts against the chest. The combination of these two qualities makes these hybrid bras a brilliant choice for those who need the most support. They offer the best support and comfort and are ideal for high-impact sports like running and offer high support for all cup sizes across all activities.
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What Are The Most Supportive Sports Bras?
The most supportive sports bras you can wear are high-support sports bras as they are made for high-impact activities that require your boobs to be amply supported and protected. Finding the best support sports bra should be a priority, even if you have a smaller chest, as the breasts can move significantly during exercise, and wearing the wrong support bra can cause the skin to stretch considerably, which can lead to injured skin fibers.
So don’t be afraid to look for support when you need it the most.
High Support Sports Bras:
What is a High Support Sports Bra?
High-support sports bras are designed to be worn for activities that incur a large amount of bounce, or movement. (You know those activities that if you were wearing a normal t-shirt bra, you'd be holding your boobs... take for example, running for the bus or up the stairs).
Created to offer maximum support and limit bounce as much as possible, high-impact sports bras are designed to offer the most support due to innovative features such as molded cups that encapsulate each individual breast, thicker and wider straps to relieve pressure on your shoulders, and adjustable underbands that offer customizable support - for the days you fluctuate in size, or if you have a small band, but larger cup size.
Check out the key features to look for in a high-support sports bra below:
High Support Sports Bras:
This is your best supportive sports bra if you’re looking for something with a little more coverage. The high neckline provides this with a comfortable round neck design, adjustable straps, and a four-way hook and eye fastening so that you can get your perfect fit.
Our Lightweight High-Support Bra with added breathability from its cooling mesh design will be your best choice for HIIT enthusiasts and those working out in warmer climates. This sports bra has a simple pullover design that is perfect for slipping into when you’re in a rush and is enhanced with flattering physique-shaping lines embossed on its front.
We can’t get enough of the flattering cut-out design of this high-support sports bra. High-impact sports bras aren’t necessarily the most stylish, so we love a creative detail like an open-back to add some flare to the design. The bra also features adjustable front straps and a four extender hook and eye fastening for easy adjusting,
We love the racerback design high support sports bra as unlike traditional racerbacks, this one can be adjusted. Racerbacks are great for mobility and movement, and this one also features a built-in swan-hook adjuster on each side, which can be great for workouts where you may be lying on your back or leaning against a bench and want to prevent irritation of your bra fastener digging into your back.
This sports bra is the t-shirt bra of high support bras. You’ll get a seamlessly smooth appearance wearing this sports bra under tops thanks to the bonded seams that are pressed flat to the skin for zero distraction. There’s a fashionable strappy back design too with the adjuster on each strap and a triangle cut-out.
For those of you who have larger boobs, we know some of you may opt to choose a high-support sports bra for all activities, including those that are of low impact - and that is absolutely fine. Wear what you and your girls feel comfortable in.
What Should I Wear A High Support Sports Bra For?
It’s best to wear a high-support sports bra for running, HIIT, plyometrics, horseriding, or a kickboxing class. Or if you’re a regular at the fast-paced stepper-ton, we’d recommend you invest in a good high-impact sports bra to support you as you dance (coordination required).
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Medium Support Sports Bras
What is a Medium Support Sports Bra?
Medium-support sports bras are designed to be worn for activities that are slightly more intense than yoga/pilates (otherwise known as low-impact activities). In short, if a sports bra isn't worn during a medium-impact workout, your boobs will be bouncing up, down, and all around.
Medium-impact sports bras are designed to focus on supportive detailing, with many offering an "encapsulation" silhouette (a defined cup structure to encapsulate each breast, rather than squish your boobs together). Padding can often be removed, allowing you to find the perfect fit and style for your workout.
Check out the key features to look for in a medium-support sports bra below:
Medium Support Sports Bras:
It’s the simplicity of the Longline Sports Bra that makes it such a perfect staple. With a minimal block color design, this medium support bra is easily mixed and matched with your fav’ high-waisted leggings. The flattering square neckline sits elegantly mid-chest, restricting breast movement and the longer design is great for anyone who prefers more coverage.
If you like the fashionable design of the Minimal Sports Bra but need more support from your sports bra, you’ll love the Ruched Sports Bra. Sporting a strappy back design to show off your back gains, and a stay-put underband you can rely on, it’s the sports bra of your dreams. The scrunched front offers a flattering detail too, and the criss-cross straps can be adjusted for the perfect fit.
We love a matchy-matchy moment with our activewear sets, especially when the sports bra is the star of the show. That’s not to say that Adapt Leggings aren’t brilliant, but the matching bras are just so special. Our Adapt Camo and Fleck Seamless Sports Bras are medium-support bras with unique and stylish designs to boost you up and your confidence.
The Adapt Fleck Seamless Sports Bra is a pullover bra with a double-layered design and strappy back detailing we know you all love. Then there’s our Adapt Camo Seamless Ribbed Sports Bra that features a comfy t-back design, an updated subtle camo pattern, and a stylish lace-up moment to the front.
What Should I Wear A Medium Support Sports Bra For?
Medium-support sports bras are designed to be worn for workouts that are a little less rigorous than high-intensity exercises but still require some support. Think weight training, using the elliptical, ski erg, walking on the treadmill, and sports like tennis and golf. Those of you with larger busts may feel comfortable wearing a medium-impact sports bra for everyday wear for improved support and comfort.
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Light Support Sports Bras:
What is a Light Support Sports Bra?
Low-impact or light-support sports bras are designed to be worn for activities that don't incur a large amount of bounce. Whilst this may mean that their design revolves around inimitable comfort, it does tend to mean that minimal support is offered to your breasts.
Light support sports bras are created with soft and supple fabrics that allow the breasts to move naturally, rather than being encapsulated in a molded, non-removable cup. Available in various coverage levels, padding options, and adaptable styles, it's totally up to you on how you wear the bra.
Check out the key features to look for in a light-support sports bra below:
Light Support Sports Bras:
This is our viral sports bra that the lifting girlies (ft muscle-enhancing gym lighting) can’t get enough of. It’s definitely low-impact though, as this bra has no padding and a low-coverage triangle cup design. The back can be adjusted to a 4-way strappy design, or they can be removed and the bra can be made into a stylish halterneck.
The Bandeau Sports Bra is another one of our popular designs thanks to its unique and flattering design. Perfect for low-impact activities, it’s stylish but simple, it does have padding, and also a trendy square neckline, and removable straps to turn the sports bra into a bandeau. Gym to the beach? No straplines, no problem.
If you’ve followed us for a while, you’ll know that Vital is our go-to collection to wear in and out of the gym. Universally flattering, our Vital sports bra has evolved, and our v-neck version is the best yet. Lightweight, sweat-wicking, and super-stretchy, this comfy sports bra is perfect for low-impact workouts. The straps can be adjusted and also worn multiple ways and the front is double-layered for light, but comfortable support.
Say goodbye to losing your removable bra pads in the washing machine. One of our newest additions to the roster, the Strappy Back Light Support Sports Bra features a one-piece foam cup design for more structure and shape, adjustable straps for a comfortable fit, and a decorative strappy back for a stylish finish. We love the silhouette of this sports bra, and with its built-in cups that offer a natural shape, it also doubles as a great bra for everyday wear.
For more light-support sports bras, head over to our collection page to explore your options!
What Should I Wear A Low Support Sports Bra For?
Low-support sports bras are perfect for activities like yoga, where movement is limited to holding poses and positions for longer periods of time. They’re also suitable to wear for casual walks, mobility sessions, lower-intensity pilates classes, or even just lounging at home. If you have a smaller bust you might find they provide adequate support to lift in or cross-train.
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Still confused about what size sports bra you should buy? Don’t worry, we have all the information you need in our sports bra sizing guide so you can measure your bra size correctly and calculate your sports bra size for the most accurate bounce control.
