Credit: Shock Absorber/Triaction
Strong Women
Best sports bras: 9 of the best supportive and comfortable bras for every kind of workout
2 years ago
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4 min read
Looking for a new sports bra? Here’s Strong Women’s pick of the absolute best all-rounders on the market, so you can stay supported while you break a sweat.
If there’s one thing you really need to start working out, it’s a good sports bra. As nice as it is to treat yourself to a buttery soft pair of leggings or a colourful pair of socks, the right sports bra can make a real difference to your comfort and performance.
It’s for this reason why wearing the wrong sports bra can be so detrimental. Failure to support your breast tissue during movement can lead to issues including severe backache and irreparable damage to the ligaments and tissue, and that’s not forgetting the impact an ill-fitting sports bra can have on your ability to perform. According to a study by Brooks and the University of Portsmouth, wearing the wrong bra can shorten your stride length by four centimetres. And research has also shown that wearing the wrong bra can increase the energy cost of movement and affect the body’s breathing mechanics.
With up to 90% of us wearing the wrong sports bra according to data from Adidas, it’s clear that finding the right support for you isn’t always easy. There are a lot of boxes a sports bra needs to tick: as well as keeping you supported while you run, jump or squat, it needs to wick sweat, keep you comfortable and not go baggy after the first wash.
It’s worth noting that everyone’s bra needs are different depending on the sport they are playing, their chest size and their shape. With this in mind, make sure to check out our dedicated articles on the best sports bras for bigger boobs and the best sports bras for smaller boobs, as well as a guide on how to tell when a sports bra is right for you.
Below, we’ve also rounded up our pick of some good all-rounders – the sports bras we reach for time and time again to keep us supported during all kinds of workouts.
Shock Absorber classic support bra
With thick straps and a wide underband, Shock Absorber bras are designed for total boob comfort.
The fit is so comfortable and supportive that you can completely forget about what’s going on with your body and focus on the workout in front of you.
Nike Swoosh medium support bra
Make like Chloe Kelly during the 2022 Euros final in a white Nike bra, complete with a comfortable racerback and sewn-in padding for a secure fit.
The compressive style helps to hold everything close to your chest for minimal movement.
Under Armour Infinity 2.0 sports bra
Engineered for tailored support, this bra has an injection-molded pad which shapes to the natural movement of your breasts to provide support where you really need it.
It’s also sweat wicking and has an easy hook and eye closure to make post-workout changing simple.
Maaree Solidarity high-impact sports bra
One brand that has thrown out the rule book and revolutionised sports bras is Maaree. Its design incorporates an overband as well as an underband to limit upward bounce while you train.
Designed by a qualified sports bra tester, it also features a clasped racer back for extra support.
Spanx Active high-impact sports bra
For a bra with a little more coverage but full support, this thick strapped and mid-length bra from Spanx is ideal.
The non-wired band stops the bra from rolling up or down and the adjustable straps mean you can ensure everything fits just right.
Shop Spanx Active High Impact Sports Bra at Net A Porter, £58
Lululemon Like A Cloud longline bra
Just because you’re not hitting the ground in low-impact sports, it doesn’t mean your boobs aren’t moving.
This Lululemon bra’s soft, moulded cups are perfect for yoga and pilates – supple enough for stretchy movement but still supportive.
Asics Core logo bra
This classic bra from Asics proves you don’t need to break the bank to get the support you need.
Made from a compressive fabric that pulls your breasts close to your chest to minimise movement, the racerback design ensures minimal movement no matter how intense the activity.
Triumph Triaction Cardio Cloud bra
Triumph’s new Triaction range of sports bras aims to offer maximum freedom with minimal bounce, and it certainly delivers.
The Cardio Cloud design is engineered to reduce breast movement during high-intensity cardio sessions, so its higher cut and elasticated band are accompanied by breathable cups to keep you dry and comfortable.
Images: courtesy of brands
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