We love a delicate, strappy bralette after we’re lounging at residence—however not after we’re hitting the pavement. For top-impact exercises, solely the most effective working sports activities bras will do. And by that, we imply supportive, sweat-wicking kinds that gained’t allow you to down (actually) whenever you choose up the tempo.
We’ve examined tons of sports activities bras over time as a part of SELF’s annual Activewear Awards and in our personal lives as runners and movement-lovers. So, it’s protected to say we now have some opinions on the matter. Right here, we’ve highlighted our absolute favourite sports activities bras for runs, cardio, and different high-intensity actions. We additionally checked in with specialists about what makes a bra higher for all these exercises, that will help you store smarter.
Our high picks
- Greatest General: SheFit Final Sports activities Bra, $69
- Runner-Up: Lululemon Power Bra, $58
- Greatest with Pockets: Brooks 3 Pocket Sports activities Bra, $55
- Greatest Sweat-Wicking: Nike Swoosh Excessive Help Non-Padded Adjustable Sports activities Bra, $60
- Greatest Racerback: Athleta Interval Bra, $49
- Greatest for Bigger Busts: Lululemon Run Instances Bra, $68
- Greatest for Smaller Busts: Lululemon Wundermost Extremely-Mushy Nulu Scoop-Neck Bralette, $38
- Greatest Longline: Adidas Run Pocket Medium-Help Bra, $55
- Greatest Compression: FP Motion Win Win Sports activities Bra, $38
On this article
Store the most effective sports activities bras for working
Whether or not you’re a every day jogger or a budding marathoner, you deserve a superb assist system.
Greatest General: SheFit Final Sports activities Bra
SheFit
Final Sports activities Bra
Speak about endurance: SheFit’s viral Final Sports activities Bra has gained a number of SELF Activewear Awards, together with a Reader’s Alternative Award. “That is the primary and solely bra that really holds me collectively whereas nonetheless being snug,” one reader instructed us. “It is the right merger of actual assist and elegance, and retains my 38Fs from hitting me within the face throughout a full marathon.” One other reader stated that after this bra entered their life, they now not needed to layer sports activities bras to maintain their chest bounce-free whereas refereeing soccer video games.
The extensive band and padded straps are adjustable, as much as 15 and eight inches, respectively (one reader famous that their SheFit bra suits completely, although they’ve a bigger bust and a smaller rib cage). Its entrance zip closure provides additional safety, and the convertible straps may be worn as an X- or H-back. In a world the place it’s nonetheless perplexingly laborious to discover a bra that matches, SheFit and its many customizable particulars meets you proper the place you’re.
Sizes: XS to 6Luxe (suits as much as a 52- to 55-inch bust and a 38.5- to 49.5-inch rib cage) | Materials: Nylon, spandex, polyester
Runner-Up: Lululemon Power Bra
A scooped neckline and a strappy again present loads of air flow when you work up a sweat on this bra. It lends medium assist, with a thick, sturdy band and medium (however not too tight) compression.
“I wore this for my final half marathon—completely no chafing and only a nice general sports activities bra,” SELF’s director of health and meals, Christa Sgobba, says. “I really like that it is a pullover type and there is no have to futz with any clasps or hooks.”
SELF’s affiliate social media supervisor, Katie Gunderman, agrees. “There’s nothing worse than worrying a few gear malfunction whereas figuring out, and since the Power bra is longline and has fuller protection, this has by no means been a problem!” she says. “It has the right compression that makes me really feel safe whereas working.”
Sizes: XXS to XL | Materials: Nylon, elastane, polyester
Greatest with Pockets: Brooks 3 Pocket Sports activities Bra
Brooks
3 Pocket Sports activities Bra
“I like this one as a result of it provides me slightly extra protection if I wish to run shirtless in the summertime,” one SELF staffer says, including that she loves how a lot storage the Brooks 3 Pocket Sport Bra has. (That’s one mesh pocket on all sides and a 3rd between your shoulder blades, whereas we’re counting.) The bigger pocket is ideal in your cellphone, whereas the opposite two can maintain your keys, bank card, or (in our staffer’s case) further gels.
Thought of a medium assist sports activities bra, this type has an honest quantity of compression and comes with detachable cups for further protection, if you happen to want it.
Sizes: Band sizes 30 to 40, cup sizes AB to DDE | Materials: Polyester, spandex
Greatest Sweat-Wicking: Nike Swoosh Excessive Help Non-Padded Adjustable Sports activities Bra
Nike
Swoosh Excessive Help Non-Padded Adjustable Sports activities Bra
One other SELF staffer considers Nike’s Swoosh line of sports activities bras a “traditional” for anybody, together with these with giant breasts. This supportive, non-padded, type is good for higher-impact exercises. The band has a smooth, extendable closure for a dialed-in match, whereas the mesh lining in the back and front of the bra sheds sweat and boosts airflow. In different phrases, whenever you up the depth, this bra retains shifting with you and helps you quiet down quicker.
Sizes: XS (A to C cups) to 3XL (F to G cups) | Materials: Polyester, spandex
Greatest Racerback: Athleta Interval Bra
Athleta’s Interval Bra is cherished by reviewers (it has a close to good score on the model’s web site) for its supportive really feel and well-placed again cutouts. Obtainable in a variety of sizes in two completely different cuts (one designed for A to C cups and one for D-DD cups), it is produced from material that’s rated UPF 40+, that means it’ll assist defend your pores and skin from the solar’s UV rays whenever you go for a jog exterior.
It’s designed to be a medium-support bra, so you’ll be able to put on it comfortably for plenty of several types of train. However it’s additionally compressive sufficient that will help you really feel contained, even when your mileage begins to hit double digits.
Sizes: XS to XL (A to C cups), XS to 3XL (D-DD+ cups) | Materials: Polyester, elastane
Greatest for Bigger Busts: Lululemon Run Instances Bra
The entire little design particulars—adjustable, cushioned straps; a hook-and-eye clasp on the band; and molded cups that separate your boobs—add as much as make this bra really feel tremendous supportive. Simply ask Gunderman: “That is essentially the most sturdy and safe sports activities bra I personal,” she says. “It’s tight in a method that feels prefer it’s been spray-painted onto my physique, and I like to put on it when doing a high-impact exercise.”
Discovering your good match can also be simpler as a result of this bra is available in conventional cup and band sizes, in contrast to some others on our record.
Measurement: 32B to 42G | Materials: Nylon, elastane, polyester, polyurethane foam
Greatest for Smaller Busts: Lululemon Wundermost Extremely-Mushy Nulu Scoop-Neck Bralette
Lululemon
Wundermost Extremely-Mushy Nulu Scoop-Neck Bralette
A SELF staffer who “doesn’t want a ton of assist” and normally wears a AAA cup dimension has a number of Wundermost bralettes in numerous colours—and says she just about solely wears them on runs. Made with Lululemon’s super-soft, brushed Nulu material, this bra has a light-weight really feel that gained’t distract you whenever you’re on the transfer. It’s additionally made to wick sweat and stretch in 4 instructions. Simply keep in mind that this bra isn’t designed to offer a locked-in really feel, like many different choices on our record are.
Sizes: 2 to 14 (A to D cups) | Materials: Nylon, Lycra
Greatest Longline: Adidas Run Pocket Medium-Help Bra
Adidas
Run Pocket Medium-Help Bra
This longline sports activities bra from Adidas is one other staffer favourite for its size (you’ll be able to put on it as a standalone exercise high, if you happen to so select), medium degree of assist, and cleverly positioned pockets. They’re positioned alongside the bra’s entrance—so, within the phrases of 1 SELF editor, “you’ll be able to simply stick a gel in there and don’t should contort your self to succeed in it.”
And right here’s another characteristic that helps guarantee constant protection: The bra’s padding is detachable, however if you happen to determine to maintain it, you don’t have to fret about it shifting round in the course of your run. The padding options little grippy dots to assist it keep put (genius).
Sizes: XXS to XXL (A/C to D/DD cups) | Materials: Polyester, elastane
Greatest Compression: FP Motion Win Win Sports activities Bra
FP Motion
Win Win Sports activities Bra
Constructed for high-impact exercises, this FP Motion bra holds you in utilizing compression alone—no zippers, Velcro, or toggles to cope with. Its longline silhouette additionally lends further protection and assist.
“It is considered one of my go-tos once I’m working,” Gunderman says. “The marginally increased neck and thicker design holds all the things down whereas I work out, and the thick straps and general floor space stop any pinching or digging in.”
Sizes: XS to XL | Materials: Nylon, elastane
How we selected the most effective sports activities bras for working
First, we requested bodily therapists and private trainers which qualities a sports activities bra ought to have if you happen to’re sporting it for a high-impact exercise like working. After they shared their tips about learn how to discover supportive choices that’ll preserve you snug, we requested SELF staffers which bras they attain for to coach for marathons or go for informal jogs. Plus, we added earlier SELF Activewear Award winners that impressed each us and our testers.
What to search for in a sports activities bra for working
Your bra ought to fit your measurements and cup dimension whereas offering some compression, NASM-certified Peloton Tread teacher Marcel Dinkins, CSCS, tells SELF. That’ll assist maintain your breasts in and restrict their movement (however you must nonetheless have the ability to transfer and breathe comfortably). She provides that these with bigger busts—suppose DD cups and above—ought to search for encapsulation bras which have built-in, structured cups for a greater match.
Operating bras must be made for sweat. Search for moisture-wicking, quick-drying supplies like mesh and nylon, in addition to breathable inserts or panels. Your bra also needs to really feel easy and comfy whenever you’re figuring out (learn: it shouldn’t chafe or rub towards your pores and skin). Seamless or flat-seamed kinds are much less prone to trigger irritation, Dr. Nunamacher says.
The appropriate shoulder straps will assist distribute the burden of your breasts. They need to be extensive, adjustable, and, for bonus factors, padded. Skip skinny or fashionable strap configurations like halters or one-shoulder necklines, Hayley Akradi, CPT, courses operations supervisor and nationwide extremely match program lead at Life Time, tells SELF. They’re cute for low-impact exercises, however they gained’t provide the assist you want throughout runs—and Dr. Nunamacher factors out that they will dig into and pull in your shoulders, neck, and traps (ouch).
Some further protection can assist you are feeling safer as you run. Dinkins recommends searching for higher-cut necklines and avoiding scoop neck sports activities bras.
Consider the band as the inspiration of your bra’s assist system: You need it to be sturdy and comfortable. Akradi appears to be like for bras with bands that match proper underneath her bust, and Dinkins prioritizes thicker, wider bands—ideally, your bra will verify all of those containers. Some bands are even adjustable utilizing a hook-and-eye or Velcro system.
Often requested questions
Why is it vital to put on a supportive sports activities bra throughout high-impact actions?
For one factor, your type modifications in case your chest isn’t well-supported, Lindsay Nunamacher, PT, DPT, a bodily therapist at Hartford HealthCare, tells SELF. Operating and leaping may cause your breasts to swing back and forth or bounce up and down. In case you aren’t sporting something that may assist distribute the burden of your chest and cut back this motion, you’re extra prone to change how you’re employed out. Your tempo may sluggish, your strides may shorten, or your posture may tip ahead. “These mechanical modifications can negatively have an effect on [your] efficiency,” Dr. Nunamacher says.
Carrying bras that lack assist can also result in again and neck ache, Dr. Nunamacher says. An excessive amount of breast motion strains the remainder of your higher physique, which might trigger your muscle groups to really feel drained and sore extra simply. Over time, your again might spherical and your head and neck might shift ahead to compensate for that discomfort, she says. And slouching isn’t simply unhealthy for these areas—as SELF has beforehand reported, it may create aches all through your whole physique.
TL;DR: It’s price your whereas to spend some further time looking bras. “A superb sports activities bra lets you focus in your exercise and proceed your journey in direction of your personal health and well being objectives with out distraction,” Dr. Nunamacher says.
Is it okay to put on a sports activities bra all day?
Carrying a sports activities bra all day lengthy is okay, so long as you are feeling snug. If the band is simply too tight and you’re feeling restricted, take it off and preserve trying to find a greater becoming bra. In case you discover your bra is messing along with your posture, limiting your regular respiration, or inflicting any pores and skin irritation or breakouts, that’s additionally an indication to attempt a special type (or none in any respect) and see how you are feeling.
How tight ought to a working sports activities bra be?
A working sports activities bra ought to match snugly, nevertheless it shouldn’t be so tight that you just really feel prefer it’s laborious to breathe, and the straps shouldn’t trigger ache and discomfort by digging into your shoulders. A common rule of thumb: It is best to have the ability to match two fingers underneath your straps. If the material across the cups is wrinkled, that’s an indication the bra is simply too huge or doesn’t match correctly.
With further reporting by Kristin Canning
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