A sports bra fitted to your size and with the right support level will minimize the impact of your chest’s movement during exercise, allowing you to exercise pain-free.

Made for high-impact moves, the molded cups separate and support to keep bounce at bay (which can be especially helpful for larger busts). Best of all, the band, straps, and edges are soft and body-smoothing, yet don’t dig in. The best way to prevent BPA exposure is to make educated decisions in choosing your personal care products,” explains Joshua Zeichner, MD, associate professor of dermatology and director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital. As a precaution, it is best to limit the amount of time you spend in activewear by changing out of it when you are finished working out.

verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ While it’s tempting to simply toss a sweaty bra into the washing machine after a killer workout, “I always recommend that you hand wash your bras in a mild detergent for lingerie. A three-to-five-minute soak in the sink should do,” Laporte recommends. Nolte, K., Burgoyne, S., Nolte, H., Van Der Meulen, J., & Fletcher, L. (2016). The Effectiveness of a Range of Sports Bras in Reducing Breast Displacement During Treadmill Running and Two-Step Star Jumping. The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 56(11), 1311–1317.

You can also machine-wash most bras unless the manufacturer states otherwise. “If you put your bras in the washing machine, use a lingerie mesh bag and always hook the bra before putting it in. Place it in a delicate cycle and only place lightweight delicates in the wash with them. Never put your bras in the dryer—the heat melts the delicate fibers and elastic,” she adds.Bowles K-A, Steele JR. Effects of strap cushions and strap orientation on comfort and sports bra performance. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 2013;45(6):1113-1119. doi:10.1249/mss.0b013e3182808a21

She adds that you should ensure the bra offers full cup coverage and separation without any gaping or pinching. Before shopping, try using a tailor’s measuring tape or a bra fitting professional like Laporte to help you find your band and bust size. Then follow product measuring charts, professional recommendations, and your comfort level for the best success. Low-impact sports bras have light compression and a more minimal support structure for light activities like stretching, walking, yoga, and barre. They usually have thinner straps and bands, which sometimes make them less ideal for larger breasts. Medium-impact sports bras have more compression, internal structure, and wider straps. They’re a good choice for activities like cycling, barre, studio fitness classes, and shorter, less-intense runs. Bowles K, Steele JR. Effects of Strap Cushions and Strap Orientation on Comfort and Sports Bra Performance. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 45(6), 1113–1119. doi:10.1249/MSS.0b013e3182808a21 High-impact sports bras provide the best level of bounce control. They have high compression, advanced structure, and wide, usually adjustable straps or bands. Wear these for high-impact activities that involve intense multi-planar movements, like jumping and bending at a fast pace and running. But that's not all there is to it. Trust us, even if you're a long-serving member of the itty-bitty committee, don't be fooled into thinking your sports bra size doesn’t matter.The impact level describes the type of activity that the bra would be suited for,'' Ferriter says. “High-impact bras will be for your higher impact movement, like running, jumping, HIIT training, and plyometric work. Lower-impact will be best for activities like walking, jogging, strength training, and even walking around town.” Medium impact is between support levels and is great for activities like cycling, barre, and studio fitness classes. In May 2023, the Center for Environmental Health (CEH) announced that, after testing, it found high levels of BPA in certain activewear pieces containing blends of polyester and spandex, including sports bras from Sweaty Betty, leggings from Nike, Athleta, Champion, Patagonia, and Kohl’s, shorts from Champion, Nike, and Adidas, and athletic shirts from Fabletics. We may recommend some of these products or similar items from these brands in this list, as these products have not been recalled and the science on transdermal absorption of BPA is still not settled. It’s no secret that wearing a sports bra when you work out is of utmost importance. But have you got your perfect fit? The band should fit snug, and the cups of the bra should lay smooth, with all breast tissue contained inside,” Heather Laporte says. “Straps should hold very minimal weight. Choose a bra that has adjustable straps for comfort and support.” Choose a bra with support features that will make it comfortable for the workout you’re doing. “High-impact bras are great for running, jumping, weight training, etc., whereas low-impact sports bras are good for activities such as yoga, and Pilates,” Amanda Barton says. She adds that the support level you need usually corresponds to your activity intensity.