Not all bras are made for burpees, cleans, and skipping. Here’s how to choose the right one.
Running, jumping, lifting — it’s hard enough exercising as a woman without your boobs staging a rebellion. I think I battled for approx. 25 years to find the right sports bra and even when I found a great one for running, as soon as I tried a box jump or a barbell clean and jerk, the vertical movement almost caused a head injury. If you’ve ever cut a run short, skipped a workout, or doubled up on bras because of bounce or discomfort — you’re not alone.
Bra Fit Tool - has been developed by the Australian Institute of Sport in collaboration with Breast Research Australia, you simply input your age, bra size and intensity of exercise and it recommends the style of sports bra. Turns out by that simply wearing a crop top over the top of my heavy duty sports bra I felt a lot more supported and was no longer self-conscious doing skipping and weightlifting.
Here are my top 5 tips to help you find the right one — and why it’s worth the effort:
- Don’t guess your size — get fitted (or at least measured properly). Our bodies change. A lot. And most of us are wearing the wrong bra size without realising it. The free Bra Fit Tool is a game-changer — it walks you through exactly how to measure yourself at home and suggests sizes based on actual research.
- Match the bra to the movement. Different sports bras are made for different types of movement.
- High impact (e.g., running, jumping): maximum support.
- Medium impact (e.g., gym, strength training): compression or hybrid styles.
- Low impact (e.g., yoga, walking): lighter support, more comfort. Wearing a yoga bra for running is like wearing thongs for a hike — not the right tool for the job
- Think about your breast shape, not just size. Cup size is just one part of the puzzle. Whether you’re full on top, shallow, wide-set, etc., it can change which brands and styles work best. This is why trying on a few different types can make such a difference.
- Don’t settle for discomfort. A good sports bra should support you, not squash you. It shouldn’t dig in, rub, or feel like a straightjacket. If you can’t wait to take it off the second you’re done training, it’s probably not the right one.
- When in doubt, phone a (pro) friend. There are actual bra fitters out there who know their stuff — and many of them specialise in sports bras. If you’re totally lost, it’s worth booking a fitting. Or even just heading to a store that stocks a wide range and taking the time to try on a few properly.
A few brands I (and friends) rate:
- Berlei (especially the High Impact and Ultimate Performance) - I often stock up at DFO
- Nike Alpha (if you like firm compression)
- Lululemon Enlite (pricey, but buttery soft + supportive)
- LSKD Accelerate I wear these ones over the top of my Berlei sports bra and nothing budges
- Cadenshae and Active Truth are my favourite breast-feeding friendly sports bras
- She Science (store based in Melbourne that also does virtual fittings)
If this helps even one person ditch the double-bra situation or feel more confident in their training — totally worth sharing.
Let me know what works for you or if you’ve found a bra you swear by!
Coach Caz
