The Best Sports Bras for Every Workout, According to Trainers
Updated: Mar. 07, 2023A sports bra is the most important garment for women when it comes to exercise. Here’s how to choose wisely.
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The key to a better workout
When it comes to working out, what you’re wearing can be just as important as what you’re doing. If you don’t feel comfortable while you’re exercising—whether it’s because your shoes are old and don’t have support, your shorts are too tight and are cutting into you, or a seam on your top is rubbing against you with each move you make—you likely won’t have a great workout and may even be less motivated for your next one. For women, sports bras are also an essential component in this equation. Bras are always important, but the right sports bra can make or break your workout depending on how well it fits, if it wicks sweat to keep you dry, and if it’s comfortable.
What qualifies as the “right” sports bra? “You have to take into account the activity you plan to do in the sports bra, along with cup size,” says Kristen McParland, a certified personal trainer based in Somerville, New Jersey. “If you can, you should try multiple brands, shapes, and sizes until you find the one that works best for your body and doesn’t take away from your performance.”
Since we know that it can be hard to try on lots of different brands to choose which is best for you, we took the guesswork out of the process and tapped a few trainers to share their input on the best sports bras—and which ones are particularly amazing for women with large breasts, smaller chests, and everything in between. Find the right fit and get ready for a whole new level of comfort, no matter what you’re doing.
The North Face Women’s Stow N Go Sports Bra
If you love running or working out with your phone but never seem to have a place to stash it, we have the perfect solution: Stick it into the front pocket of this moisture-wicking sports bra from The North Face. And that’s not the only reason you’ll love it. “This bra has excellent support, with wide straps,” explains Holly Roser, a personal trainer and the owner of Holly Roser Fitness Studios in San Francisco. “I love how the neckline is high, keeping you held in and fully covered.” Post-workout, when things are sweaty, simply unhook the clasp for an easy off.
Highlights:
- Hook-and-eye closure
- Internal pocket
- Sweat-wicking
Nike Women’s Swoosh Sports Bra
The classic silhouette of this sports bra looks good on all shapes and sizes, and it’s able to support all chest sizes for medium-impact activities. “The bra is designed with Dri-FIT material to keep you cool and comfortable during your workout,” says Roser. “And the compression in this bra helps hold you in place while you’re exercising.” Thanks to the thick straps, the bra stays put and won’t move or shift during workouts, either, which no one wants when they’re trying to exercise. Pair it with one of these exercise dresses.
Highlights:
- Racerback design
- Dri-FIT jersey material
- 360-degree stretch
Athleta Phenomena Bra
Slip this bra on and you’ll fall in love with the soft yet sweat-wicking fabric that molds to your body and provides incredible support. “I love the molded cups on this bra, which makes for a flattering fit, while also keeping everything in place when I’m doing high-impact activity like a HIIT class or running,” says Mallory Creveling, a personal trainer based in Brooklyn, New York. “The silky soft material also makes it super comfy to wear when I’m jogging for miles.” When you’re done working out, you’ll appreciate how easy it is to get off, thanks to the hook-and-eye closure. Pair it with these super comfy leggings and you’ll be all set!
Highlights:
- Adjustable straps
- Hook-and-eye closure
- Sweat-wicking
Handful Adjustable Sports Bra
If you’re looking for a sports bra that provides some support but also flatters your figure, look no further—the Handful bra comes with pads, which can be removed if you don’t want them. “This bra is excellent for a smaller cup size because of the pads, and it’s perfect for low-impact workouts such as yoga or Pilates or even weight lifting,” says Roser. “The thin straps don’t cause any chafing or irritation, but might not be the most supportive.” Speaking of the straps, they’re also adjustable, so you can go with a straight back or crisscross them across your shoulders, depending on your outfit. In our opinion, it’s also the best sports bra to go from the gym to coffee with a friend. Make sure you also pick up some of the best underwear for women.
Highlights:
- Removable pads
- Adjustable straps
- Quick-dry fabric
Free People Movement Wave Rider Sports Bra
You’ll love the exposed, sexy back of this moisture-wicking sports bra from Free People Movement. “This lightweight bra is perfect for smaller cup sizes, and it’s very fashionable if you enjoy working out with your sports bra and no tank on top,” says Roser. “Plus, the high neckline provides security during your favorite low-impact activities such as barre, Pilates, yoga, or dance.” Choose from three different colorways: blue granite, magenta, or black.
Highlights:
- Moisture-wicking
- Machine washable
- Stylish design
Champion Women’s Spot Comfort Full Support Sports Bra
Put on this bra and immediately notice the comfortable feel of the gel-infused adjustable straps. And that’s not all—the full coverage keeps everything in place, and it’s the best sports bra if you’re jumping around, doing plyometrics. “The mesh is a great feature that can make a tight sports bra feel breathable and comfortable during summer activities,” says McParland. “The thicker straps make for great support, too, for activities like running, jumping, or other high-intensity workouts.”
Highlights:
- Hook-and-eye closure
- Breathable mesh
- Sweat-wicking fabric
Vuori Yosemite Sports Bra
If you want to have coverage during your Pilates class but you also don’t require too much support, consider Vuori’s Yosemite sports bra. Thanks to its four-way stretch fabric, the bra flows with your body and won’t restrict any movement. “The soft fabric makes it a good bra for all-day wear, along with a stretchy fit for classes like Pilates or yoga,” says Creveling. “I also like the chic straps in the back.”
Highlights:
- Moisture-wicking
- Stylish back design
- Soft fabric
Alo Intrigue Sports Bra
If you’re all about yoga, you’ll be all about this lightweight sports bra from Alo. It’s made of four-way stretch material, so you won’t feel restricted flowing from one move or pose to the next. Plus, the adjustable straps give it a customized fit. “All bodies are unique in size and structure, so having a sports bra with adjustable straps is perfect if you fall in between sizes,” says McParland. Choose from three different colorways including black, aqua, and woodrose. Because it’s so slim, it’s also the best sports bra for travel, as it’s very easy to pack.
Highlights:
- Adjustable straps
- Lightweight design
- Four-way stretch fabric
Glamourise MagicLift Seamless Sports Bra
If you have a large bust, you’ll get the coverage and support you need sans wire with this sports bra. The seamless, molded cups lift and support your chest, without making you feel squished in or down. “I like the thick chest band at the bottom, which looks like it would help the bra stay put, while also staying comfy through dynamic movements,” says Creveling. Two-way stretch in the back, along with non-slip straps, keeps things flexible without allowing the bra to shift or move entirely so that you have to readjust mid-move.
Highlights:
- Non-slip straps
- Seamless cups
- Wireless
Spanx Longline Medium Impact Sports Bra
A sports bra that can double as a crop top? You can’t go wrong! This bra from Spanx provides enough support and coverage for a distraction-free workout—indoors or outdoors. “This versatile sports bra is sweat-wicking and chlorine- and salt-resistant, so it’s a great option for someone who wants a multi-use piece of apparel that they can wear in the gym and at the beach,” says McParland. It has built-in UPF 50+ sun protection, too. Speaking of which, if you’re exercising outdoors, don’t forget to protect yourself with the best face sunscreen.
Highlights:
- Stylish design
- Sweat-wicking fabric
- UPF 50+
Floatley Calm Cross Sports Bra
Wear this Floatley bra to your next hot yoga class, and thanks to its antimicrobial fabric, you’ll never have to worry about things getting too sweaty and stinky. Just be aware that it’s not for larger-busted women. “This stylish sports bra is perfect for smaller cup sizes,” says Roser. “This would work well for barre, yoga, Pilates, or even Tai Chi. The sweat-wicking fabric aids in keeping you dry, and the fixed cup shape makes it perfect for under your favorite tank.” By the way, do you know the best bra color to wear under a white shirt? (It’s not nude!)
Highlights:
- Antimicrobial fabric
- Lightweight design
- Keyhole for ventilation
Panache Convertible Wireless Sports Bra
Designed with a fuller bust in mind, this wireless sports bra allows you to wear it with the straps going directly back over the shoulders, or you can hook the clasp and wear it like a racerback. “I’m always a fan of molded cups to stop the uni-boob look, and I like the adjustable straps and hook-and-loop closure in the back for a more customizable fit,” says Creveling. The wide chest band provides a good amount of support, too, and the breathable mesh fabric in the center of the bra keeps things from getting too sweaty.
Highlights:
- Thick chest band
- Breathable mesh
- Molded cups
Under Armour Women’s Keyhole Sports Bra
This racerback sports bra that’s best for A to C cups is a fan favorite on Amazon, where it’s garnered more than 3,200 five-star reviews. Roser particularly likes it for HIIT training because the sweat-wicking fabric will keep you cool and dry. Plus, she adds, “the shape is also a perfect fit under most tanks, so you won’t see straps on the sides of your tank, for a seamless look.” The keyhole design allows for a bit of extra ventilation, so you won’t get too sweaty, no matter how hard you’re working. FYI, here’s how often you should be washing all of your gym clothes, including your sports bra.
Highlights:
- Sweat-wicking
- Compression
- Racerback design
Girlfriend Collective Paloma Sports Bra
You’ll love the longer silhouette that this racerback sports bra has—and the fact that it’s made from recycled water bottles! “I love the supportive, thick straps on this bra, and that the sizes go all the way to a 40DD,” says Roser. “I would recommend this for light- to medium-impact workouts like stand-up paddleboarding, hiking, boxing, or weight lifting.” The bra wicks moisture away from the body and dries quickly. If you love that this sports bra is eco-friendly, you’ll definitely want to check out these sustainable clothing brands.
Highlights:
- Moisture-wicking
- Made from recycled materials
- Racerback design
Brooks Dare Crossback Sports Bra
You’ll never run into issues with chafing when you wear this sports bra that boasts a seamless design. “If you’ve ever worn seamless leggings, you know how life-changing they can be,” says McParland. “Imagine that but in a sports bra! Comfort for the ladies and your lats.” The perforated dot design doesn’t only look cool, by the way—it’s designed to add more ventilation to help keep you cool and dry. It’s both sweat-wicking and supportive, too.
Highlights:
- Ventilated design
- Racerback design
- Chafe-free material
Now that you’ve found the perfect sports bra, check out these comfortable and stylish bralettes to wear at home and (nearly) everywhere else. Then, read up on what you should know about ThirdLove’s sports bra and leggings.
Sources:
- Kristen McParland, a certified personal trainer based in Somerville, New Jersey
- Holly Roser, a personal trainer and the owner of Holly Roser Fitness Studios in San Francisco
- Mallory Creveling, a personal trainer based in Brooklyn, New York
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