Ever cross the finish line and wish there was more pavement to cover? I didn’t think so…but you’ll effectively run the equivalent of one extra mile in a marathon if you're not wearing a supportive sports bra. (Yikes right?!) The up-and-down bobbing can shorten your stride up to 1.5 inches.
So, next time you slip on a running bra, remember you’re doing so much more for your bod than controlling the bounce. What's more, if you only have loosey-goosey sports bras that’ve been in your drawer for years? There’s a good chance you’re not exercising at even close to your full potential. A supportive sports bra is *that* important.
Meet the experts: Bertrand Bru, PhD, is the head of research and development at Progressive Sports Technologies, Loughborough University, in the U.K. Mari Thomas is the founder of sports bra company Maaree and a former lab tester for sports bras.
Designing this specialty apparel is also incredibly complex. “As a general rule, the sports bra is one of the most complicated items for brands to design,” says Bertrand Bru, PhD, head of research and development at Progressive Sports Technologies, Loughborough University, in the U.K.
The Lululemon Energy Bra High Support features wider, adjustable straps for a custom fit.
What may come as an even bigger shock? There aren’t industry standards for sports bra performance. Any company can slap a “high impact” sticker on a product, with or without the testing to back it up. But you can avoid being swayed by marketing tactics and wasting your precious funds on tops that don’t cut it.
Consider this your no-BS shopping guide to supportive sports bras. Your perfect match does exist, ahead.
How To Find Your Perfect Fit
Are sports bras supposed to be tight? Yes, but not uncomfortably so. And, there's a lot more that goes into a properly fitting sports bra. Here’s how to know if your bra is too tight, too loose, or just right, according to Mari Thomas, founder of sports bra company Maaree and a former lab tester for the apparel.
Maaree's Solidarity Bra debuted the overband to squash upward motion.
Follow this quick guide for the telltale signs to determine if you’re set to sweat:
Straps
- You don’t feel any pain or discomfort.
- The straps can stretch up to one inch away from you.
Tip: If the straps slide off your shoulders when snug, try a racerback design.
Band
- The band is level all around the rib cage.
- It’s as comfortably tight as possible.
- You can pull the band only one to two inches away from torso with a finger.
Cups
- The fabric is free of wrinkles and gaps.
- Your skin doesn’t bulge above or around the cups.
- The center of the bra sits flush against your chest.
How To Shop For A Supportive Sports Bra
FYI: Your sports bras aren’t meant to celebrate birthdays. Experts recommend replacing them before the one-year mark for a few important reasons. (It's not a marketing scam.) Your size can fluctuate; after 25 wears and/or washes, bras in a small study allowed breasts to move 25 to 32 percent more.
Adjusting before or mid-run is a breeze with hooks on the front of the Brooks Dare Racerback Run Bra 2.0 straps.
And, your girls don't have built-in support. Your breasts are made up primarily of fatty tissue and fibers, says Deirdre McGhee, PhD, an associate professor at University of Wollongong and the director of Breast Research Australia. “Women’s breasts don’t have anatomical support,” she says. “The only thing holding their weight is overlying skin and fibrous webs attached to the chest.”
These are the motion-squashing qualities to look for in any bra:
- Two distinct cups with padding (often listed as “encapsulation” on product sites)
- A higher neckline (think: four inches or less between the “suprasternal notch”—the bony area at the base of the neck—and the top of the bra, about the width of your hand)
- Adjustable underband
- Material with a high nylon content (check percentages on the tag)
Best High-Support Sports Bras
Removable padding, front swan hooks that cinch the elastic underband, and moisture-absorbing, cool-to-the-touch fabric with a mesh overlay provide all-around reinforcement for As to DDs.
Brooks Dare Racerback Run Bra 2.0
This new-and-improved nearly seamless version is ready for the long run with a hook-and-eye closure on the band, while perforations between the B to G molded cups act like built-in air-conditioning on sweaty days.
MAAREE Solidarity High-Impact Sports Bra
Customize the under- and overbands to control upward and downward movement with the perfect tension for the day’s activity. Fabric cups hold tight, while stretch panels in back allow for deeep, sweaty breaths.
nike Alpha Women's High-Support Padded Adjustable Sports Bra
Enter: breathable fabric on the front and back, plus cups engineered with pads that mold to your figure, all adding up to minimal bounce and maximal comfort. Even better? It’s made from at least 50 percent recycled materials.
Lululemon Energy Bra *High Support
The long-loved style gets supercharged for impact with an adjustable, soft underband and wider, double crossback straps, plus sweat-wicking 78 percent nylon fabric to hug snug for B to DDD full-coverage comfort.
Jennifer Nied
Jennifer Nied is the fitness editor at Women’s Health and has more than 10 years of experience in health and wellness journalism. She’s always out exploring—sweat-testing workouts and gear, hiking, snowboarding, running, and more—with her husband, daughter, and dog.
