12 Sports Bras for All Body Types

By Rozalynn S. Frazier
March 18, 2014
Credit: Lisa Shin
Found: sports bras that keep all sizes comfy and pain-free.
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Find the perfect match

Credit: Lisa Shin

A good sports bra is among the most important pieces of exercise gear you will ever put on—but it isn't always easy to buy. "Everybody is unique in terms of the size, positioning and contours of her breasts," says LaJean Lawson, PhD, adjunct professor at Oregon State University and a research and design consultant to the sports bra industry. "Things that pinch, poke and squeeze in all the wrong places can be real workout killers." So Health staffers and readers put more than 100 bras to the test. Here are the 13 survivors.

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Especially Great for Larger Cups

Credit: Lisa Shin

Sports Bra by Panache ($68; herroom.com) Sizes 28-40, B-H

With barely noticeable underwire and full-coverage cups, this bra prevents high-impact jostling. "It kept me secure without the squish factor," noted Allison, a 36D.

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Especially Great for Curvy runners

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Saucony Curve Crusader ($45; saucony.com) Sizes 32B-40DD

In a word: sexy. Testers loved getting "solid support from a pretty bra," as Lisa, a 32D, put it.

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Especially Great for Smaller Cups

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Asics ASX Seamless Bra ($40; asicsamerica.com) Sizes XS/S and M/L

Say good-bye to uniboob! Underneath the first layer of fabric are molded padded cups that lift and separate. "You get cleavage, not one big lump," said Rorna, a 34B.

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Especially Great for A Little Boost

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Moving Comfort Just Right Racer ($48; movingcomfort.com) Sizes S-L

This seam-free padded winner—which encapsulates and compresses breasts—is easy to get on and off. "Finally, a sports bra I don't have to struggle with!" said Liz, a 32DD.

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Especially Great for Cardio Classes

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Oakley Strappy for You Bra ($44; oakley.com) Sizes XS-XL

Jackpot! This ultra-flattering bra doesn't flatten you and offers great support. "I made it through class without any bounce," said Suzanne, a 36D.

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Especially Great for High-Impact

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New Balance Seamless Genius I ($40; newbalance.com) Sizes S-L

"This felt amazing!" was the near-universal response to this top pick. Camille, a 32F, was skeptical—until she tried it in spin class. "Sports bras without hooks and eyes make me nervous," she noted. "But I felt totally contained."

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Especially Great for Low-Impact

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Nike Favorites Sports Bra ($40; nike.com) Sizes XS-XL

"This bra would go from sexy to scandalous on anyone bigger than a B cup," said Robin, a 34B, about this sleek V-neck number. "But for me, the minimal cut looked cool and got the job done.

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Especially Great for Yoga Classes

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Fabletics Vaasa Sports Bra ($20; fabletics.com) Sizes XS-L

This superlight racerback isn't short on support. And its four-way stretch fabric lets you really move. "I did all my yoga poses without worrying about exposure," said Lyndsey, a 32B.

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Especially Great for Heavy Sweaters

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C9 by Champion High Support Bra With Convertible Straps ($23; target.com) Sizes 34B-40DD

Perspiration, beware! "I tend to sweat in between my boobs—this bra absorbed every drop," raved Erin, a 34D. It also earned top marks for fit.

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Especially Great for Curvy Gymgoers

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Coobie Seamless Sports Bra ($22; shopcoobie.com) Sizes S-L

Well-endowed testers were impressed with this mid-impact bra. As Mia, a 34DD, said, "It's so hard to find sports bras that feel good, provide real support and are cute—this was all three."

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Especially Great for Techie Runners

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NuMetrex/Adidas MiCoach Seamless Sports Bra ($55; numetrex.com) Sizes S-L

Not only does this high-impact jog bra keep you contained, but it has a special spot underneath the rib band where you can snap in a heart monitor (not included). "I never use heart rate monitors because the chest strap always slips down when I sweat," said Leslie, a 32C. "But this bra solved that problem."

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Especially Great for Mid-Impact

Credit: Lisa Shin

Under Armour Still Gotta Have It Bra ($25; ua.com) Sizes XS-XL

Wearers were instantly sold on this classic pullover. "A perfect fit," said Crystal, a 36D. "And it stayed put during my circuit—no riding up."

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