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Find the right support for your body type Supportive Yoga Bra
This article was updated in December to reflect the latest deals and prices.
Whether you’re into sweaty spin sessions, running, or relaxing yoga classes, one piece of kit you’ll need to invest in is a good sports bra.
Even for lower-impact activities like going for a walk, wearing a sports bra that’s suited to your body will support you properly and increase your comfort levels.
To help you find the right fit, the Good Housekeeping Institute put the best sports bras on the market to the test, narrowing them down to the top 18 for every body type, budget and exercise. Meet your new workout buddy...
Not all sports bras are created equal. For high-impact workouts such as running and circuit training, you’ll need a supportive style that keeps bouncing to a minimum — stopping your coopers ligaments (the tissue that supports your breasts) from stretching.
Compression sports bras do this by flattening your chest and restricting movement; however, if you have a larger chest, you may find that a wired or encapsulation bra, which supports each breast individually, is more comfortable. Consider the style of strap too – racerback sports bras provide more support than standard straps. Try on a few different styles to establish which works best for you.
For lower-impact activities including yoga, Pilates and hiking, you don’t need quite as much support from your sports bra. You should look for a style that fits comfortably, feels nice against your skin and doesn’t cut in when you’re lying on a mat or wearing it for extended periods of time.
Sports bras aren’t all sized in the same way — some use classic cup sizes and others use dress sizes. You can use these as an initial guide, but it’s worth looking at each brand you’re interested in to see if they have a specific guide.
Look at the sizing charts too and see how your digits compare. You’ll need your ribcage and full bust measurement. To get an accurate reading, the tape measure should be snug but not tight.
Sports bras should be snug, but not so tight that they restrict your breathing. If you can get two fingers between the straps and your shoulders, that’s just right. Adjustable straps help with fitting the bra to you, and allow for monthly fluctuation.
As with everyday bras, any wiring should sit flat against your rib cage with no digging or pinching. The band should also sit flat and shouldn’t move about as you exercise.
After analysing the market, we tested over 60 sports bras with a panel of women aged between 18 to 55 and with sizes ranging from an A to a K cup. Each tester put them through a range of workouts, from running and strength training to yoga and Pilates, to see how they coped.
Our experts at the GHI also put each bra through thorough wash tests to look for shrinkage and discolouration. Bras were then scored for comfort, quality, performance and design.
Testers said this sports bra was so comfortable they almost didn’t notice they were wearing it.
The bra is designed for medium impact workouts such as cycling, and is made with moisture-wicking fabric to keep your skin free from sweat. It hits a supportive sweet spot thanks to the padded cups and provides good coverage with a mesh insert.
The bra is available in a wide range of sizes, so you should be able to find one that works for you — some testers found it gaped or was a tad tight, so you may want to book a free bra fitting appointment in-store to be sure.
Adidas is known for its high-quality sportswear and this luxe bra excelled on test. According to our panel, it’s stylish, supportive and comfortable. And not only did it keep their breasts firmly in place during bouncy HIIT sessions, the fast-drying fabric also kept them cool as they worked up a sweat.
The innovative design also caught our testers’ attention – it has swan hooks around the chest and adjustable shoulder straps at the front so you can scale up the support depending on your workout. The unusual clasp system takes some getting used to but, trust us, it’s worth it.
All in all, a strong contender for those who enjoy high-intensity training. Note, though, some testers found the fit a little snug around the bust, so size up if in doubt.
With its snazzy strappy back and range of shades, this compression bra is our on-trend pick. It ticks all our exercise boxes too – the band is supportive enough for most activities, including hiking and Crossfit.
The luxuriously soft fabric is made with 76% recycled nylon and is lightweight to wear. It’s tight fitting though, with limited sizing options — we had to squeeze into it — so you’ll likely need to size up. However, this does mean there is absolutely no room for bouncing breasts!
If you're looking to upgrade your activewear, then this high-impact sports bra is a wise investment. According to Reebok, the technical design features fabric that adapts its support level as you exercise, becoming firmer for more involved activities and looser for cool downs.
Whether you like this will come down to personal preference, but the fabric keeps your skin dry and provides a lot of coverage. The strong compression was better suited to our testers with smaller chests and the straps posed a bit of a challenge to get on. Once in the zone though, it’s thoughtfully designed and supportive.
Runners, this sports bra is for you. Whether you’re working through Couch to 5k or training for something a little longer, this technical design provides all the support you need to keep your boobs in check.
With adjustable racerback straps and a secure clasp, the compression bra is designed to counteract the movement breasts make when unsupported on the road — and it really works.
It’s not the most attractive design we tested, but it’s available in an extensive size range, and our testers felt snug and secure all workout long.
Low impact but high quality, this sports bra has a lot to offer. The lightly padded pull-on style has crossed straps at the back, which are adjustable too, taking the support available up a notch and making it stand out from other low-impact bras on the market.
The fabric is soft and our testers found the stylish bra — which comes in four different colours — comfortable enough to wear for their regular yoga practice, on a long walk or while relaxing at home.
Compression bras don’t suit everyone and if that includes you, then this wired sports bra is a must-try alternative for high-impact exercise.
With two distinct cups, there’s no chest flattening, but don’t be deceived by its resemblance to an everyday bra — this design will keep you well supported in the gym.
From our testing, we’d suggest finding a bra that’s designed with more compression for running, but for all other activities it performed well. The adjustable straps can also convert into a racerback, and it’s made with smooth, breathable fabric.
Using an innovative adjustable band that sits across the top of your chest — Maaree calls it an “overband” — this sports bra is ultra-supportive for high-impact exercise. It’s expensive and does tend to flatten chests, but it’s high quality and our testers confirmed it stopped uncomfortable bouncing with ease.
It also has adjustable straps, as well as a clip to transform them into a racerback for extra security — especially handy if you’re a runner. Overall, it was comfortable for our testers and fits true to size, something that’s hard to find for bigger boobs.
If you’ve got big boobs and you like the support of an underwire, this bra from the experts at Panache won’t let you down. Don’t be fooled by its simple design – our testers were mightily impressed with its array of features, including the racerback style, wide adjustable straps and hook-eye-closure, offering unrivalled support for any type of workout.
Unlike many underwired bras that rub and dig in, testers said this one was comfortable enough to wear all day long. “It’s my new favourite sports bra!” said one enthusiastic panellist. High praise, indeed.
Sometimes, all you need is a simple, no-frills sports bra. Enter this understated option from Dare2b. It’s made with quick-drying fabric, so it’s a winner for sweat-inducing workouts, while adjustable straps and stretchy material make for an easy on/off. Our testers found the non-padded style surprisingly flattering, too.
If you’ve got a small chest, this bra will provide all the support you need for vigorous exercise. For those with bigger boobs, however, it’s best for medium- to low-impact activities such as cycling, Pilates and yoga.
If you’re a G to a K cup, this design makes sports bra shopping easy. The compression bra works wonders for high-impact exercise, keeping our testers secure throughout their workouts. The style — which features adjustable straps and a racerback clip for added support — does come up small, so it’s worth trying on a couple of sizes.
It’s also comfortable enough to wear for low-impact workouts, looks good on the body, and the fabric feels high quality — making it well worth the higher price tag.
The best sports bras can cost an arm and a leg, but for under £35, this underwired style from the experts at Pour Moi proves that doesn't have to be the case. It's supremely comfy (no digging in, chafing or poking was reported on test), easy to get on and off, and it looks good, too. Our panel couldn't get enough of the racerback style and soft form-fitting material.
Like the Dare2b offering above, this bra will provide plenty of support during high-impact sessions for those with small boobs. But, if you have a bigger chest, we'd stick to low- to medium-impact workouts when wearing this versatile bra.
It scored bonus points for its inclusive sizing — it goes up to a G cup, making it easier to find the right fit. Just note that it's hand-wash only.
We all know that peeling off a tight, sweaty sports bra isn't enjoyable, but there’s no such problem with this Decathlon design, which features a handy front zip for easy-on, easy-off.
Zipper aside, the bra scored well among our panel thanks to details such as adjustable straps for the perfect fit, lightly padded foam cups that provide support and shaping, plus a soft fabric panel to protect the skin from the zip.
It's a great choice for activities including yoga, Pilates and barre, but our testers felt it was too bouncy for anything more dynamic. Still, at just under £25, it's great value for money.
According to Lululemon, its signature Align Bra “feels buttery soft and weightless” and our testers found it lives up to its claims. Everyone said it was a joy to wear while working out or relaxing, with one enthusiastic tester saying, “I literally didn’t want to take it off!” The stylish design went down a treat with our panel and despite having just one strap, it stayed in place during workouts, with no slipping reported. The sweat wicking Nulu™ fabric felt cool, comfortable and dried extremely quickly, making it an ideal choice for sweaty hot yoga and intense reformer Pilates sessions. Made with low-impact exercise in mind, it’s not one for HIIT classes or running, though.
Like the Lululemon bra above, this scoop neck style from luxe brand Vuori is also a top choice for yoga, Pilates and barre. Made with the brand’s unique BlissBlend material, the silky soft fabric is stretchy, lightweight and feels gloriously soft against the skin. It was so comfy, it even inspired our panel to work out more often! They also loved the chic racerback style, saying it looked great and made them feel confident while exercising. Though designed for low impact activities, it scored highly in the support stakes – it stayed put as testers moved from pose to pose and didn’t rise up when they lifted their arms. It wasn’t sticky or uncomfortable when damp with sweat and it washed well.
This vibrant New Balance number is packed with innovative features. It has a small pocket at the front for storing your keys and lip balm and a secure drop-in pocket at the back for your phone – ideal if you're heading out for a run or don’t want to carry your phone around in a busy gym. More of a crop top than a traditional sports bra, the design was an instant hit with our testing panel, who thought the length and fit were extremely flattering. It kept them supported as they ran, cycled and squatted and the DRYx fast-drying fabric prevented any pesky sweat patches. It was a tad tricky to get on and off, but you can’t expect top-quality support without a bit of a squeeze. No chafing or rubbing was reported, and it remained soft and comfortable after numerous washes.
This high-impact H&M design punches well above its price tag. It features adjustable straps and a hook-eye fastening at the back, so finding the perfect fit is a breeze. Our testers said it reduced bounce effectively and gave them the extra support they needed during cardio sessions. While some high-impact bras can feel tight and restrictive, there’s no such problem with this DryMove style. The thick straps feel comfy against the skin and the seamless design means there’s no unwanted digging in or chafing around the bust. It also ticked the box in terms of breathability and sweat wicking. Even better? The moulded cups are extremely flattering, whether you’re wearing the bra by itself or underneath a T-shirt.
There’s more to this understated sports bra from M&S than meets the eye. Not only is it easy to pull on (there’s no need to faff about adjusting straps and fiddling around with hooks), but it’s also comfortable and supportive, thanks to the wide straps and soft, stretchy fabric.
Our testers found the racerback style sufficiently supportive for low and medium impact activities, including yoga, Pilates, hiking and strength training. They also appreciated the lack of padding and wiring, with some saying they’d happily wear this bra all day long, whether running errands or lounging around the house.
What’s more, it excelled in our wash tests, maintaining its quality after several goes in the washing machine. At just £12, it’s an affordable and reliable pick.
Priyankaa is our senior health and wellness writer, specialising in expert-tested reviews and roundups on the latest health and fitness products. From walking boots to running machines, Priyankaa has written about hundreds of products and is passionate about providing in-depth, unbiased reviews. Plus, as an avid runner and gymgoer, she knows exactly what to look for when finding the right gymwear, fitness tracker or earphones. Priyankaa has an MA in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University and over five years’ experience in health and fitness journalism. Priyankaa has written for Stylist’s Strong Women Training Club, where she regularly wrote about diversity in the fitness industry, nutrition tips, training advice and her experience completing various fitness challenges. She has also written for a variety of publications including Business Insider, Glamour, Bustle, Metro, HuffPost UK, gal-dem and more. Outside of work, Priyankaa can usually be found trying out a new gym class, seeking out London's best eats or watching a Spanish TV show in a bid to keep up her language skills. You can follow Priyankaa on Twitter @_priyankaajoshi and on Instagram @priyankaajoshi
Yanar was our former Fitness Group Testing Manager. She managed health and fitness product testing across all the magazines, overseeing all testing processes and ensuring our lab and panel tests are conducted to the highest standards. Yanar spent 15 years as a health and wellness content editor and writer for national titles such as Runner’s World, Men’s Health and Women’s Health. Yanar is a Level 3 qualified PT, trained yoga teacher and a registered yoga therapist. She has been into fitness and wellness her whole life. After many years running races and marathons, she now trains and competes in CrossFit and Olympic lifting. She passionately advocates strength training for women to build a stronger mind and body for life.
Kim Hawley is our health and fitness product tester. Her career in fitness has spanned over 30 years. Prior to joining the Good Housekeeping Institute, she worked as a personal trainer, writer and fitness instructor for some of London’s most prestigious health clubs, including The Harbour Club, David Lloyd and The Chelsea Club. Passionate about women’s health and fitness, especially in pre/post menopause, she is also a Level 4 PT and holds a professional nutritional qualification. Kim is responsible for rigorously testing everything from cross trainers to smart watches.
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