How to shop the perfect sports bra for you

Buying bras is hard work at the best of times, but sports bras are a different kettle of fish.

It seems you need different supports for different activities, and if you have a bigger cup size, the odds are your size won't be stocked at a regular store.

To make matters less stressful, we've sought professional help. Philippa Mitchell is the owner of The Fitting Studio, which operates out of Orange, NSW. However, she offers online fitting consultations and does trips to regional areas to help women find their correct bra size. She knows her way around a sports bra, and exactly what features they need to have to keep you comfortable and supported while exercising.

NOTE: Prices are accurate at time of publishing.

What's the difference between the levels of impact?

"The first thing you've got to think about is what sport or exercise you're doing," Mitchell tells us.

"For high impact, it's for things where there's a lot of bounce … a lot of running and changing direction quickly, things like horse riding, hockey, soccer, netball, those sorts of sports."

"Medium impact would be things like the gym … doing a cardio workout or weights, or on the bike or rowing machine. And then the low impact is things like yoga or Pilates," Mitchell explains.

Based on this, we like:

Rockwear Adjustable High Impact Sports Bra

Yours for $48.99

Triumph Triaction Racerback Sports Bra

$39.95 on The Iconic

"With high impact, you want to stop the bounce as much as possible," she continues.

"Things like having a high front to the bra, where it goes high over the top of your breasts will help stop bounce. Or, if the bra cup has an inner sling … at the top and the bottom of the cup to stop the bounce both up and down."

What about bigger busts?

Shopping for a sports bra when you've got a bigger bust can be a real challenge, given how much bounce you're dealing with.

For this, Mitchell recommends a sports bra with an underwire.

"It does give more support. It shouldn't irritate you when you're exercising or playing sports. If it does, it usually means you're wearing the wrong size bra."

She also suggests racerback bras for bigger busts, as they help your posture by lifting your shoulders back, and therefore your breasts into the cups. Another option is a bra with a J hook, which can be modified into a racerback.

"The other thing for bigger women is that the bra is quite high under the arms and across the back," she adds.

"Your breasts actually start under your arms, so if it's too low … it's not a well-structured bra. It needs to be high under the arms to give you support."

While Mitchell advises that the best thing you can do is to be professionally fitted, we've sourced some low-, medium-, and high-impact sports bras that check these boxes. Specifically, she recommends the Freya Dynamic and Sonic Bras and the Elomi Energise Bra.

NOTE: Prices are accurate at time of publishing.

Freya Women's Sonic Underwire Spacer Bra

$122 here

One of Mitchell's recommendations, the Sonic bra from Freya features an underwire design, a high cut to the chest and underarms, and a J-hook that can turn it into a racerback. You can also check out the Dynamic bra from Freya here.

Elomi Women's Energise Sports Bra

Yours for $120.90

This non-compression bra helps with support and shaping as you exercise. It also features a J-hook, an underwire, and supportive cups.

Shock Absorber Infinity Power Front Close Zip Sports Bra

On sale for $77.97

Designed to reduce bounce by up to 78 per cent, this bra will work for high-impact activity. However, it doesn't have underwire, so is likely best suited to smaller busts.

Rockwear Olympia Moulded High Impact Sports Bra

Now just $55.99

This Rockwear style is currently on sale, reduced from $79.99 down to $55.99. It has adjustable 'bounce-reduction' straps, and an adjustable underband to help with comfort.

Rockwear Evolve Moulded Adjustable High Impact Sports Bra

Get it in tealGet it in pink

You can shift this bra into a racerback style by crossing the adjustable straps, creating a crossover strap effect to aid with posture and range of motion. It also comes in two cute colours – crossing the adjustable straps and pink.

Work It Sports Crop

$59.99 here

Designed for low-impact activity, this compressive bra is ideal for smaller busts.

Berlei Shift Underwire Sports Bra

Buy yours for $69.95

Perfect for a mid-sized bust, this underwire sports bra offers up to 60 per cent bounce reduction – making it ideal for high-impact activities. Buy yours here at Bras 'N' Things.

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