Your Complete Guide to Sports Bras

Finding supportive sports bras that work for your body isn't about following trends – it's about understanding what you need. Here's what matters most:

Fit is Everything
A sports bra should feel snug but never restrictive. You should be able to breathe comfortably and move freely without the band riding up or have the straps digging in. The band provides most of the support (around 80%), so it needs to sit flat against your ribcage.

Consider Your Activity
What works for yoga won't necessarily work for running. Higher-impact activities need more support, while lower-impact exercises allow for more flexibility in your choice.

Know Your Size
Bodies change, and that's completely normal. Hormonal shifts, weight fluctuations, and life stages all affect breast size. Measure yourself regularly to ensure you're wearing the right size – it makes an enormous difference.

Comfort Matters
If you're constantly adjusting or counting down the minutes until you can take it off, it's not the right bra. A comfortable sports bra should feel supportive without being suffocating.

Understanding impact levels helps you match your sports bra to your activity:

Low Impact
Perfect for yoga, Pilates, walking, and stretching. These sports bras offer light support with maximum flexibility and comfort. They typically feature thinner straps and lighter fabrics. If you're asking "Do I need a sports bra for yoga or walking?", a low-impact option provides gentle support without feeling restrictive.

Medium Impact
Ideal for cycling, weight training, hiking, and dance classes. Medium support bras balance comfort with control, managing moderate breast movement without feeling overly constrictive. They're versatile enough for multiple activities and often work well as the best sports bras for everyday wear.

High Impact
Essential for running, HIIT workouts, jumping, and intense cardio. A high impact sports bra minimises bounce significantly, using compression, encapsulation, or both. The best sports bras for running typically fall into this category, featuring wider straps, fuller coverage, and maximum support technology.

For women with larger breasts, finding the best high impact sports bra for large breasts means looking for features like adjustable straps, a wide under band, and individual cup construction rather than compression alone.

Getting the right fit starts with accurate measurements. Here's how to measure yourself at home:

Band Size
Using a soft measuring tape, measure directly under your bust, keeping the tape parallel to the floor. Round to the nearest whole number. If it's an odd number, round up. This is your band size.

Cup Size
Measure around the fullest part of your bust, keeping the tape comfortably snug but not tight. Subtract your band measurement from your bust measurement. Each inch difference represents a cup size (1 inch = A, 2 inches = B, 3 inches = C, and so on).

Check the Fit
When trying on your sports bra, the band should sit firmly against your body without riding up at the back. You should be able to fit two fingers under the band comfortably. Straps should be adjusted so they're snug but not digging into your shoulders. Jump up and down – there should be minimal movement.

Remember, sports bras often fit differently to regular bras. Some women prefer to size down in the band for extra support, while others with larger busts might need to size up. Don't be afraid to try different sizes to find your perfect fit.