When compared to other gear such as jackets, shoes and shorts, a sports bra can often be an overlooked part of your sports kit despite its key importance. Sports bras are more than just a means of support, although, of course, this is important, they can also help to prevent pain and damage to breast tissue while you exercise, making them an essential part of your workout clothes.
In this blog, we take you through how sports bras can support and benefit not only your exercise but also your physical health, and how you can find the right size and fit so you can experience superior comfort for your next workout.
Why does a good sports bra matter?
Anatomically, breasts have limited internal supporting structures, and these structures can stretch during exercise. This can lead to pain and damage to the breast skin and tissue, making a suitable sports bra an essential part of any physical activity. Not feeling supported during your workouts can hinder your performance, for example, causing you to take shorter strides when running or distracting your focus from proper running technique.
Finding a sports bra that can offer both unmatched comfort and superior support can have many benefits that you may not have previously considered. These can include:
- Injury and pain prevention
- Boosted support and confidence
- Enhanced performance
- Improved posture
- Helps to promote breast health
Overall there are a lot of benefits and reasons why having a good sports bra matters. Keep reading as we help you to discover how to find the right sports bra for you.
How do I choose the right sports bra?
Before discussing what sports bras are best for different activities, we first need to discuss how to find one that’s the perfect fit for your body. Measurements for bras vary from brand to brand, and it’s likely that your measurements for a sports bra will be different from your regular bra.
Below you can find some key elements to consider to help you choose a style that suits your needs:
The band - The band of a sports bra is the part that rests underneath your breasts and holds the bra in place. It should be both firm and level around your whole body.
The shoulder straps - Your shoulder straps shouldn’t dig in or be too loose that they fall. A good rule of thumb is that they should have at least a one-inch give when pulled.
The cup - The cup is rather simple, your breasts should fill the whole cup without spilling over the top or sides.
Support - A sports bra should fit tighter than your regular, everyday bra. When trying on a sports bra, try jumping up and down to see how much bounce there is - there should be little to no bounce.
Comfort - The most important thing when buying a sports bra is the comfort it provides you. While sports bras are made to be tight they should also offer supreme comfort, there should be no digging in and they should hold your breasts in a way that feels comfortable for you.
What sports bra to wear for low-impact activities
Although you might consider certain workouts low impact - even light physical activities can cause breast discomfort if you’re not properly supported in your workout. Low-impact activities can include yoga, hiking and pilates as they create less bounce than more vigorous exercises such as HIIT workouts, Hyrox or running.
As such, you can opt for a lower level of support if you’d prefer something a little less compressive. Low-impact bras are usually able to hold your chest in place through gentle motion like stretching and flowing. Take this Under Armour Infinity Women’s Sports Bra, it still features padding but comes complete with a lightweight feel that won’t feel too restrictive for low-impact activities. This particular sports bra can even handle medium-impact activities such as cycling and boxing, so if you want to kick it up a notch - this sports bra can support your needs.
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| Under Armour Infinity Mid Covered Womens Sports Bra - Black £25 |
What sports bra to wear for high-impact activities
When it comes to high-impact activities such as running, HIIT workouts, Hyrox, dancing and anything that may cause excessive bouncing, then having a stronger bra that can support your breasts during these movements is essential.
You’ll want a bra that focuses on offering maximum support so you can stay focused on your workouts without any distractions or discomfort, such as this Shock Absorber Ultimate Run Sports Bra. Developed to provide absolute support and friction-free comfort, this sports bra is made for high-impact activities and has been proven to reduce bounce and movement by up to 78% for optimal performance.
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| Shock Absorber Ultimate Run Sports Bra - White £44.90 |
Another great sports bra for high-impact sports is the Shock Absorber Active Multi Sports Bra which can offer extreme support and style for any and all workouts. This sports bra features shaped, adjustable padded straps for comfort, Powermesh side panels for breathability and sweat-wicking materials for an uplifting experience even during the most gruelling of workouts.
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| Shock Absorber Active Multi Womens Sports Bra - Black £37.90 |
The best all-around sports bra
Whether you’re still searching for a workout that suits your needs and plan on trying a whole range of physical activities, or you prefer incorporating all kinds of diverse exercise into your routine - you’ll want a sports bra that can handle everything from low to high impact workouts.
This Brooks Drive Convertible Run Sports Bra is complete with adjustable straps to switch between scoopback and racerback for a personalised fit, so you can wear it your way for optimal support and comfort for any exercise. This bra moves with your body while providing the right amount of compression to reduce motion and absorb shock no matter the exercise.
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| Drive Convertible Run Womens Sports Bra - Black £39.90 |
Find the right sports bra for your workouts with Start Fitness
Having the right sports bra will not only aid your workouts but will reduce pain, discomfort and any other long-term health issues by supporting your breasts and reducing shock and bounce even during the most rigorous workouts.
If you’re still on the hunt for the perfect style for you then you can browse our full sports bra range to find a wide variety of supportive options for both high and low-impact workouts.