A well-fitting running sports bra should leave you with enough gas in your tank to squeeze that extra mile in. Kind of.
Whilst we can't guarantee that your sports bra will give you the same energy boost a gel will, we do know that wearing a sports bra that fits correctly can help aid your running performance, giving you the confidence and support you need to tackle your training, and increase your mileage. But first...
Which type of sports bra is best for running?
The best sports bras for running are high-support bras. Sports bras for running should keep your chest secure and fit snug to the body to help reduce bounce as you run and minimize any discomfort or pain.
Our running sports bras seamlessly marry style and function; with aesthetically pleasing designs that keep you supportive, and comfortable, with that fashionable element we know you run club-goers love from your kit.
Just like your running shoes, it’s crucial that you shop around for the correct sports bra and don’t just wear the old one you shoved in the back of your drawer when you were 16. Your body changes, and your breasts change shape and size as you age, experience weight change, or gain muscle, so it’s essential that you have a sports bra that fits you right at every step of your fitness journey.
With so many types of sports bras available online offering different silhouettes, and levels of support, it can be difficult to know what style of running bra you need to invest in. That’s why we’ve removed the guesswork and compiled a list of the best supportive sports bras for running, exploring which features you should be looking for when choosing your next sports bra.
Do You Need A High Support Sports Bra For Running?
High-impact sports bras are recommended for running as proper chest support can help reduce breast movements and exercise-related breast pain [4]. For those who have a smaller chest or prefer a less compressive fit, medium-impact sports bras may be suitable. Smaller bust sizes can opt for medium-support sports bras as they will likely provide ample amount of support and coverage for running, whilst larger cup sizes will need more support to reduce bounce and minimize breast movement.
For more information about what support level you need for different sports and activities, check out our guide on how to find the right support level for your sports bra.
How Should A Sports Bra Fit?
A study by Dr. Pechter once found that 70% of women were wearing the wrong size bra, so just imagine how many of us are wearing the wrong size sports bra when running! [1].
We know it can be a faff to get the measuring tape out, face the mirror, and calculate your correct bra size, but we promise you it’s worth it. Not only will you feel better and more comfortable in what you’re wearing but your performance will be enhanced too. Research has found that greater breast support not only provides comfort while running but can result in lower oxygen consumption and a more efficient running economy [2]. Another smaller study found that increased breast support led to an increase in knee stability (knee joint stiffness) which is associated with improved running performance, form, and breathing [3].
So if that’s not an incentive to wear a proper-fitting sports bra for running, then we don’t know what is. We’ve made finding your perfect fit easy too, with an entire sports bra sizing guide that takes you through exactly how to measure your bust correctly.
How Should A Running Bra Fit?
Your running sports bra needs to fit securely because running is a high-impact activity that creates a lot of movement in the chest area, and your bra’s job is to minimize that.
While you may forget that you even have your everyday bra on, it should be noticeable that you’re wearing a sports bra. They’re going to feel a little tighter than a standard bra, but this doesn’t mean it’s the wrong size - just make sure it’s not too tight by measuring whether you can fit two fingers under the straps.
To get a safe and secure fit from your running sports bra, your underband should fit flush to your skin without any gaping or bulging. The underband should fit snugly around the top of your ribcage without digging in, and your boobs should sit comfortably above the band.
The center of the bra should sit flat against your breastbone without any gaping. Make sure you can fit a finger underneath the underband to ensure it’s not too tight, and size up or down if needed.
There’s no other exercise that requires more attention to your chest support than running. Your boobs are made of a combination of fat and tissue, and because of this, they have no natural way of supporting themselves, so this needs to be supplied by your sports bra.
Running sports bras should offer high support as your breasts move around a hefty amount as you run. This means you need a sports bra with padding or cups, and straps or fastenings that can be adjusted for the perfect fit. Your breasts should fit completely into the bra without any overspilling.
You’ll know that when you head out on your run if you’re wearing any uncomfortable item that digs, pulls, or rides up, you’re made aware of it pretty quickly. You can’t run 1/2 a mile in uncomfy shoes, let alone an uncomfortable sports bra.
Your bra should not have any gaps in the side or underband, it should be free of any distracting designs that stick out or dig into your skin, and your straps should fit you properly with some wiggle room. Test out how your sports bra feels and if you experience any issues, try another style of bra.
What Different Types Of Sports Bras Are Available?
Sports bras can be categorized into three types; encapsulation, compression, and combination.
Encapsulation sports bras separate the breasts with two cups, providing excellent individual breast support and a more structural silhouette than sports bras that use a mono-cup design. Encapsulating sports bras are measured by cup size.
Compression bras are probably the most common type of sports bras you'll come across, thanks to their simple and accessible designs. Compression sports bras compress the chest to minimize movement, feature a mono-cup to provide support, and are typically pullover designs. They are measured using alpha sizing (a clothing system that uses letters e.g. S, M, L).
Combination sports bras blend features of both compressive and encapsulating styles. These hybrid sports bras use both compression and cup separation to support the breasts, making them a versatile choice for a range of activities.
For more information on the types of sports bras available and what style will suit you best, head over to our comprehensive guide on how to find the right sports bra.
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The 4 Best Sports Bras For Running
Look no further for the best sports bra for running with our collection of high-support sports bras. Supportive, comfortable, snug, and secure, these are our four best sports bras for running.
Lightweight High Support Sports Bra
The Lightweight High Support Sports Bra is a superb choice for runners who like a lighter-feeling garment up top. Unlike many compressive styles, this sports bra offers both compression and high support, in an easy pull-over-the-head design. Easy to pop on and head out the door for your lunchtime 5k. It’s pretty sleek looking too, with a flattering racerback that provides great chest support thanks to the wider straps that cover a larger portion of your back… a win for those who find their straps constantly slipping down their shoulders. The mesh at the front adds a nice breathable touch for ventilation while running and the underband below wraps neatly around your ribcage for a stay-put fit.
Cross Back Sports Bra
The Cross Back Sports Bra is a gorgeous sports bra for running, if we do say so ourselves. Designed to be seen, the Cross Back Sports Bra features elegant strappy details to the back of its design - perfect for those who prefer to ditch the tee and run in just a sports bra. This is a hybrid-style sports bra that offers adjustable details and an elegant strappy compressive design. It features two molded cups to hold your boobs in place and flush to the skin-bonded seams for zero distraction or rubbing as you run. The straps can be adjusted and so can the back fastening, meaning you can get your perfect fit and look stylish doing so.
Like the look of a strappy-back sports bra? We do too, here's some tips on how you can style your strappy-back sports bras.
Racerback High Support Sports Bra
You may be used to racerback sports bras being of a pullover design (throwback to the OG Vital Seamless Bra), but this running sports bra benefits from a swan hook side adjuster to tighten or loosen as you please. Racerback designs can be a better sports bra for runners with bigger busts, or sloping shoulders, as the wide straps provide more support in the back region, and eliminate straps falling down your shoulders. The molded cups are ultra-lightweight, and the breathable design offers the ultimate comfort while running. What’s great about this sports bra is that it’s available in our dual-cup sizing (covering 2-cup sizes e.g. B/C, D/DD) which is ideal if you’re in between cup sizes or fluctuate size often. Not only this but the racerback design makes this the perfect bra to pair under your running tanks for a no-show strap solution!
High Neck High Support Sports Bra
Some runs call for extra support and coverage. Whether that’s because your boobs are feeling a bit more sore than usual (cue PMS), or you're challenging yourself to run a longer distance, sometimes our breasts need a little helping hand. That’s where the High Neck High Support Sports Bra comes in, with a high neck design which for a lot of you, will feel most secure out of all the sports bra designs. Everything is sitting properly in this sports bra, all snug and secure in a comfy foam cup. The straps and back can be adjusted for your perfect fit, and we love the little cut-out at the back for added breathability while running.
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Heading to the studio for a relaxing restorative yoga session after your run? You might want to swap bras. Ah, the relief! Swap for something a little lighter in the support department with our best sports bras for yoga.
Shop your sports bras and running gear on the go, and never miss a drop with our Gymshark App at your fingertips. Download the App for IOS, and Android below!
[2]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35774380/
