
Nothing ruins a workout quite like an ill-fitting, extra-bouncy or chafe-inducing sports bra. But when things truly fit and click into place, magic happens.
"A few things to consider when purchasing a sports bra are the fit, feel, and even the brand you're considering supporting in the process," says Sarah Grooms, CPT, an obé fitness and personal trainer based in New York City.
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Need some support? Here's our guide to picking the best sports bras for your body and sweat style, along with 13 trainer-approved designs.
1. Best for All Sizes: Girlfriend Collective Moss Paloma Bra
- Sizes: XXS-6XL
- Support: medium
- Underwire: no
- Fabric: recycled plastic bottles, spandex
Made from recycled water bottles, this best-selling sports bra offers sizes from XXS to 6XL, making it extremely inclusive and diverse, so anyone can enjoy it.
"I love this piece because of the built-in bra as well as the supportive yet breathable four-way stretch fabric. It feel comfortable and allows my rib cage to fully expand," Grooms says. "I can wear the Paloma for yoga, running and a night out. It's a staple in my rotation each week!"
Buy it: Girlfriend.com; Price: $38
2. Best Seamless Design: Salomon Women's Medium High-Impact Bra
- Sizes: XS-L
- Support: medium
- Underwire: no
- Fabric: polyester, elastane
If you have trouble with underwires digging into your ribcage or seams scratching your skin and rubbing it raw, opt for Salomon's seamless, wireless option, says Erin Bailey, CPT, a Boston-based personal trainer.
This seamless sports bra offers up comfort and breathability, but still has plenty of support, especially for women with small cup sizes. Think: compression without restriction.
Buy it: Amazon.com; Price: $30.86
3. Best Adjustable-Band Option: SHEFIT Flex Sports Bra
- Sizes: XS-6XL
- Support: medium
- Underwire: no
- Fabric: nylon, spandex
Featuring molded, seam-free cups and thick straps, this high-impact control bra is all about user experience.
"These thick straps won't dig into your skin, and the adjustable back is a great feature to make sure your sports bra fits you as comfortably as your normal bras," Bailey says. A zip-front closure makes it easy to put on and take off.
Buy it: SheFit.com; Price: $69
4. Best for the Price: Champion the Show-Off Sports Bra
- Sizes: S-XL
- Support: high
- Underwire: no
- Fabric: nylon, spandex, polyester
This option offers full coverage, as well as smooth, molded cups, and moisture-wicking performance mesh to see you through high-impact plyometric exercises.
"I like how lightweight the bra is, the thick chest band and that the straps are adjustable — all for an affordable price," says Kristen McParland, CPT, a certified personal trainer based in Somerville, New Jersey.
Buy it: Champion.com; Price: $19.99-$28.99
5. Best for Large Lats: Lululemon Free to Be Serene Bra
- Sizes: 2-14
- Support: low to medium
- Underwire: no
- Fabric: nylon, lycra elastane
"This is the OG fitness bra in my opinion," says McParland. "It doesn't matter how big your lats are either — this bra will fit and feel great!" After all, it's not uncommon for chest bands to dig into the back muscles, especially if you have built lats.
Fortunately, this option has room for your back muscles, and is made with such a soft fabric that you may never want to take it off. While it does provide full coverage, it isn't build for max support. Wear it during lower impact workouts like yoga, Pilates or strength training.
Buy it: Lululemon.com; Price: $52
6. Best for Support: Under Armour Eclipse High-Impact Zip Sports Bra
- Sizes: 32A-32C
- Support: high
- Underwire: no
- Fabric: cotton, polyester, elastane
With a next-to-skin fit and super-soft feel, this racerback bra will keep you comfy and supported throughout your workout. A zip-front design makes it a cinch to remove once you're done.
"This bra provides great coverage and support, and it lasts forever," says Meghan Hayden, CPT, a certified personal trainer based in New York City.
Buy it: UnderArmour.com; Price: $59.99
7. Best Mastectomy-Friendly Design: Empower Bra A-C
- Sizes: A-C
- Support: medium
- Underwire: no
- Fabric: polyester, lycra
Breast cancer survivors and athletes helped to design this slick post-mastectomy sports bra with lightweight prosthetic inserts.
Whether or not you use them, you'll stay cool, thanks to the bra's breathable, wicking fabric. And with an adjustable chest strap and front straps, it adapts to each woman's body. Grooms is all about the easy-to-use front zipper.
Buy it: Athleta.com; Price: $54
8. Best for an Adjustable Fit: New Balance Women's the Shockingly Unshocking Sports Bra
- Sizes: 32C-44DD
- Support: high
- Underwire: no
- Fabric: polyester, spandex
With interior molded cups and a double knit spacer, this New Balance bra offers both coverage and support.
"I love that I have the ability to adjust this sports bra based on the amount of support I would want for a workout," says Grooms. Front adjustable straps let you customize the fit, while stabilizer fabric and molded cups keep you braced.
Buy it: Amazon.com; Price: $27.46
9. Best Breathable Design: Brooks Fast Forward Crossback Sports Bra
- Sizes: XS-L
- Support: medium to high
- Underwire: no
- Fabric: polyester, spandex, nylon
This Brooks bra's scoop neckline with front-mesh paneling is perfect for letting your chest breathe, Bailey says.
It also features moisture-wicking compression fabric and flatlock seams to keep you dry and cafe-free throughout your entire sweat session. "Four way stretch allows the bra to work with your body, versus restrict it," she says.
Buy it: Amazon.com; Price: $34
10. Best Basic Option: Nike Dri-Fit Swoosh
- Sizes: XS-2XL
- Support: medium
- Underwire: no
- Fabric: polyester, spandex
When it comes to the best sports bras, there's something to be said for simplicity of design. And this Nike racerback rocks it. It provides gentle compressive stability with no muss or fuss.
"The thick straps provide good support, but they don't dig into your shoulders or arms, which is so important," explains Bailey. "This bra also lasts forever, too!" Consider it a bra-drawer staple.
Buy it: Nike.com; Price: $38
11. Best for Low-Impact Workouts: CRZ Yoga Women's Light Support Cross Back Sports Bra
- Sizes: XS-XL
- Support: low
- Underwire: no
- Fabric: polyamide, spandex
"The 'barely-there' feel and moisture-wicking fabric make it great for a vinyasa class," says Grooms.
Though advertised as a yoga bra, this option is great for Pilates as well. It has light support, removable cups and stylish criss-cross straps.
Buy it: Amazon.com; Price: $18
12. Best to Show Off: Fabletics Oasis Twist-Front Sports Bra
- Sizes: XXS-4XL
- Support: low
- Underwire: no
- Fabric: polyester, elastane
If you're getting into a low-impact workout and you don't require all too much support to begin with, consider this adorable bra. The all-way stretch fabric moves in sync with your body, and it's moisture-wicking, too.
"I love the tied front design," says McParland. "It's very comfy!"
Buy it: Fabletics.com; Price: $49.95
13. Best Front-Zip Design: Outdoor Voices Powerhouse Bra
- Sizes: XS-XL
- Support: high
- Underwire: no
- Fabric: nylon, lycra, polyester
Style meets function with this zip-front bra. Honeycomb mesh in the back offers high breathability, while molded cups provide support without restriction.
"I like to feel empowered during any workout, and the support this sports bra provides is key," says Grooms. "And I enjoy that there's a front zipper, making it easier to take off when sweaty!"
Buy it: OutdoorVoices.com; Price: $75
3 Things to Ask Yourself When Buying Sports Bras
1. What Level of Support Do You Need?
When you exercise, your breasts are going to move around. But a lot of that can change based on your chest size, as well as your sport of choice.
For example, a low-impact exercise like yoga or Pilates might not call for as highly supportive a bra as high-impact activities like running, jumping or CrossFit do, Bailey says. And if you have a big chest, you're also going to have more movement than those with a smaller cup size.
So it's important that you choose a bra that can withstand the impact of what you're doing, as well as support your breasts, no matter your cup size. To find the best sports bras for support, look for descriptions like "full coverage,""high neckline," "compression," and "thick or reinforced band."
2. What Cut Works for You?
Are you looking for a classic racerback style, or do you want something with a bit less coverage and design-heavy back straps?
"It definitely matters what you're looking for, as well as your cup size," says McParland. "I'm an A-cup, so I can wear literally any style and have enough support, but I know this is not the case with most women."
"If you have heavier or larger breasts, you may want something with a higher neckline, for fuller coverage, that's still breathable. And for those with smaller chests, you can choose a more minimal coverage option. "It's really personal preference from there," says Hayden.
3. What Features Do You Love?
If you have a large chest size, look for a bra with a thick chest strap or maybe underwire in the cups. But if support is less of an issue, a seamless, low-cut option could be more comfortable.
"The fabric will make a major difference in support, or lack thereof, and it can also inhibit your movement if it's not flexible enough for the type of movement you may be doing," says Grooms. Fabrics like lycra, elastane, and polyester are most popular, as they allow for four-way stretch and comfort.
In other words, a bra might look nice online or on the hanger, but you need to be sure that those cute mesh details or zippered front closure actually moves with you and doesn't cause any discomfort.
When shopping online, check for generous try-on and return policies. "You should try on multiple brands, shapes and sizes, until you find the right fit for your body and activity," McParland says.