The best sports bras for every type of workout, from HIIT to yoga

The best sports bras come in three different types. Here, the experts reveal how to find your perfect fit and we recommend tried-and-tested options from top brands

A selection of the best sports bras from Panache, Sweaty Betty, and Elomi
(Image credit: Panache / Sweaty Betty / Elomi)

Finding a pick of the best sports bras for you can be a tricky endeavour. Unlike a regular bra, there's so much more to consider, and while there are many designs and brands to discover, not every type will be suitable for everyone.

What size you are, what support you're looking for, and personal preferences like style and colour will determine which sports bra is best for you. But as well as choosing the specific sports bra, you'll need to bear these three factors in mind when deciding where to buy a sports bra as some brands cater to some styles more than others.

Here, we outline the three types of sports bras you can consider when looking for your perfect fit, along with a few tried-and-tested, woman&home-approved favourites in each category to consider from top names like Sweaty Betty, Pour Moi, Panache, and Shock Absorber. 

The quick list

Best sports bras

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A selection of the best sports bras in the compression design, including picks from Decathlon, Sweaty Betty, and Shock Absorber

(Image credit: Decathlon / Sweaty Betty / Shock Absorber)

Compression

A compression sports bra is often the type we think of when we think of a sports bra. "It tends to come in a crop top style that you pull over your head and compresses breast tissue close to the body to minimise unwanted movement," says Jess Grace, expert bra fitter at Boobydoo, a specialist sports bra website. 

Most suitable for those with A to C cup size, a compression sports bra is designed to support those with smaller chests.  

You can buy compression sports bras in many different styles, making it a suitable design for all kinds of exercise, from low-impact yoga and Pilates to gym workouts. While many people do higher impact exercise in compression bras, given that it's the most popular type sold, it may not be the best choice for workouts like running where you have a little more bounce to deal with. Instead, encapsulation or hybrid styles may be a better option. 

Jess Grace, our expert bra fitter
Jess Grace

Jess Grace is an expert bra fitter at Boobydoo, where she has been working for three years. She is an avid runner and taking on her first half-marathon in September this year. 

A selection of encapsulation sports bras from SYROKAN, Elomi, and Pour Moi

(Image credit: SYROKAN / Elomi / Pour Moi)

Encapsulation

Encapsulation bras tend to offer more support than compression bras, Grace says. "They have a more defined cup structure to separate the breasts and give more shape for maximum support," she says.

For this reason, they tend to be among the best sports bras for larger breasts. “If your breasts are large, you may hate that undefined, squashed-together look you get from typical compression crop top style sports bras that flatten your breasts against the chest wall," says Pour Moi garment technologist Lois Siciliano. "Choosing a sports bra with underwire [like an encapsulation bra] can avoid this, as it keeps breasts both separated and fully supported." 

While encapsulation bras do tend to come with an underwire, you can get some in non-wired styles that still provide great support.

A selection of combination sports bras, including picks from Panache, Sweaty Betty, and Shock Absorber

(Image credit: Panache / Sweaty Betty / Shock Absorber)

Combination

A combination style, or hybrid as it's known, offers the best of both worlds with an encapsulating design and compressive fit. "The cups tend to provide separation of the breasts but there's usually a layer of fabric over the top to create a compressed feeling," says Grace. It's a great option for comfort and support, so often ends up being one of the best high-impact sports bras as well. 

Most combination sports bras are made without underwire too, since the additional fabric over the top of the breasts provides the added support. 

They are the best choice for high-impact activities like running and HIIT workouts and those with larger chests. 

How to choose a sports bra

  • Find the right support: "A good level of support is a crucial part when exercising," says Tash Curry, fitness coach, and former professional dancer-turned-boxer. "It's important to wear a well-fitted sports bra that minimises the amount of breast movement for good support and comfort during exercise." How you wear a sports bra is very important, so if you're in doubt, book a consultation online with your chosen brand or head to a specialist sportswear store. 
  • Choose a bra for your cup size: "Bra sizing is the most important element in finding the perfect sports bra," says Curry, who works with Another Round as a senior coach. "More than 85% of women are not wearing the right bra. A bra is meant to support you as you work out and give full support. Therefore, I would suggest always looking for a brand that offers cup sizes to ensure there isn't spillage and you get proper support." 
  • Is it moisture-wicking? No matter the activity - whether you're doing yoga as a workout or intense hiking - you'll probably sweat in your sports bra, so choosing the right material to cope with this is important. "If you don’t look for a sports bra with a proper breathable, wicking fabric then be ready for some chafing. Sports bras should also be made from wicking fabrics that direct moisture away from your skin. This will keep you dry and comfortable during your workout," she says. 
  • Focus on the band support: "A correctly fitted bottom band will offer more support when working out. The wider the bottom band, the more support, and it should be supporting most of the weight on your chest." 
  • Focus on the bra straps: "While we are on the subject of support," she notes, "Having secure straps is a must and you should ensure they aren’t falling off your shoulders." If you have larger boobs or want to do higher-intensity exercise like HIIT or running 30 minutes a day, you might find slightly wider straps can help take off additional pressure. 
  • Read the reviews: "Remember just because a sports bra says it’s suitable for high-intensity exercise doesn’t mean it is," expert bra fitter Jess Grace reminds us. "Always read reviews (ideally from someone with a similar cup size to you) and look for something officially bounce-tested if possible."
Tash Curry

Tash Curry spent 20 years on stage as a former professional dancer before switching her dance shoes for boxing gloves. Victorious in her first boxing match, Tash decided to qualify as a LesMills body combat instructor and group exercise trainer. Shortly after, she completed her Level 3 Personal Training qualification.

What are the different types of support in a sports bra?

There are three types of support a sports bra can offer, named after the different types of exercise you can do in them: low impact, medium impact, and high impact. Here, PT Tash Curry reveals the key differences between all three: 

1. Low impact

"These provide minimal, gentle compression and support," Curry says. "They're suitable for lower intensity workouts with less bounce such as yoga, Pilates, and strength training." You won't want to wear a low-impact sports bra for anything more vigorous as you won't feel supported. 

You'll often find compression sports bras in this category. These are sports bras that work by compressing the breasts to prevent bouncing. They tend not to have a front or back closure and you normally can't adjust the support - you pull it over your head like a crop top. 

2. Medium impact

One step up, medium-impact sports bras are a great middle ground between low- and high-impact bras. "These offer moderate support and can be worn for activities like cycling workouts, in the gym, and walking," Curry says.

A medium-impact sports bra will often be a compression or combination design, so you have a wide variety of choices when it comes to finding the best sports bras for you in this category. 

3. High impact

High-impact sports bras tend to offer more compression, have a more supportive band at the back, and may be a better choice for those with larger breasts. "High-impact sports bras offer bounce-free support during running, HIIT training, and any other high-intensity workout," she says.

Encapsulation and combination sports bras fit into this category. These both work much like a regular bra with a front or back closure and a strong band, and the breasts are supported separately. Some do come with underwire as well but most don't. 

Can you wear a sports bra every day?

It depends on the design, the experts say. "A high-impact sports bra is designed to be worn during fast and excessive movement and because of this, it's not intended to be worn all day," says Grace. However, a soft, comfortable, and looser-fitting compression bra may be designed for and suitable for daily wear and physical activity. 

"We understand that some people’s daily lives involve a lot of movement and wearing a normal bra isn’t practical. In this case, opting for a low/medium impact level bra would still give you extra support but be more comfortable for longer durations and everyday wear," she says. 

How often should you replace a sports bra?

It's best to replace a sports bra every 6 to 12 months, says Curry. "This depends on how much you wear it but generally, the bra elasticity decreases with use, which means the bra loses its stretch and becomes less supportive," she explains.

It'll last even longer if you know how to wash gym clothes properly, as sports bras often degrade in the washing machine over time as well. Never put your sports bra in the tumble dryer. 

If your bra is still comfortable and working for the activity you're doing, there's no need to replace it. "The most important part of finding a sports bra you like is that it should feel good, it should fit right for you, and have you feeling your best when working out."

Grace Walsh
Health Channel Editor

Grace Walsh is woman&home's Health Channel Editor, working across the areas of fitness, nutrition, sleep, mental health, relationships, and sex. She is also a qualified fitness instructor. In 2024, she will be taking on her second marathon in Rome, cycling from Manchester to London (350km) for charity, and qualifying as a certified personal trainer and nutrition coach. 

A digital journalist with over six years experience as a writer and editor for UK publications, Grace has covered (almost) everything in the world of health and wellbeing with bylines in Cosmopolitan, Red, The i Paper, GoodtoKnow, and more.