Skip to content

Top Navigation

Health.com Health.com
  • Health Conditions A-Z
  • News
  • Coronavirus
  • Diet & Nutrition
  • Fitness
  • Beauty
  • Mind & Body
  • Lifestyle
  • Weight Loss
  • Newsletter
  • Promo

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences this link opens in a new tab
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Health.com

Health.com Health.com
  • Explore

    Explore

    • Is Your Doctor Gaslighting You? Here's What to Do

      How to handle a physician who doubts or dismisses your symptoms. Read More Next
    • 9 Signs It's More Serious Than the Common Cold

      Doctors explain how to tell if you have a head cold or something more serious that requires medical attention, such as the flu, strep throat, meningitis, or mono. Read More Next
    • How Your Period Changes During Your 20s, 30s, and 40s

      From easier cramps to a heavier flow, here's a guide on what to expect decade by decade. Read More Next
  • Health Conditions A-Z

    Health Conditions A-Z

    See all Health Conditions A-Z

    12 Anxiety Symptoms That Might Point to a Disorder

    The symptoms of anxiety can be hard to detect. Here are the ones you need to pay attention to, and how to know if you may have an anxiety disorder.
    • Allergies
    • Anxiety
    • Birth Control
    • Breast Cancer
    • Coronavirus
    • Chronic Pain
    • Cold, Flu, and Sinus
    • Depression
    • Digestive Health
    • Diabetes (Type 2)
    • Eczema
    • Eye Health
    • Fibromyalgia
    • Heart Disease
    • Headaches and Migraines
    • Oral Health
    • Pregnancy
    • Psoriasis
    • Sexual Health
    • Skin Conditions
    • Sleep
    • Thyroid
  • News

    News

    See all News

    Shannen Doherty Reveals Stage 4 Breast Cancer Diagnosis—Here's What It Means

    "I'm petrified," the actress said when she shared the news that her breast cancer came back. Here's why a stage 4 breast cancer diagnosis can be so frightening.
    • Celebrities
  • Coronavirus
  • Diet & Nutrition

    Diet & Nutrition

    The Best (and Worst) Diets of 2020, According to Experts

    FYI: The keto diet is not number one.
    • Food
    • Nutrition
    • Vitamins and Supplements
    • Groceries
    • Restaurants
    • Diets
    • Keto Diet
    • Mediterranean Diet
    • Whole30
    • Recipes
  • Fitness

    Fitness

    See all Fitness

    10 Moves for a Cardio Workout at Home—No Equipment Required

    Stay in your living room and still spike your heart rate.
    • Cardio Workouts
    • Strength Training
    • Yoga
    • Ab Workouts
    • Arm Workouts
    • Leg Workouts
    • Butt Workouts
    • Fitness Gear
  • Beauty

    Beauty

    See all Beauty

    These 13 Women Prove Every Body Is a Bikini Body

    We're loving their inspirational, body-positive messages.
    • Skincare
    • Makeup
    • Hair
    • Nails
  • Mind & Body

    Mind & Body

    See all Mind & Body

    Why Do People Lie? We Asked an Expert

    Here's the truth about lying.
    • Body Positivity
    • Self-Care
    • Misdiagnosed
    • Invisible Illness
    • LGBTQ+ Health
    • Health Diversity and Inclusion
    • Resolution Reboot
  • Lifestyle

    Lifestyle

    20 Things You Should Throw Away for Better Health

    Clean out expired products and clutter to make way for a healthier you.
    • Healthy Home
    • Pets
    • Family
    • Relationships
    • Style
    • Holidays
    • Sex
    • Gifts
    • Money
    • Tech
    • Medicare
    • Best Life Now
  • Weight Loss
  • Newsletter
  • Promo

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences this link opens in a new tab
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow us

  1. Home Chevron Right
  2. Fitness Chevron Right
  3. 6 Superb Support Tanks for Summer

6 Superb Support Tanks for Summer

By Su Reid-St. John
May 26, 2011
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin
Our senior fitness editor tests the latest workout products—so you don't have to
Start Slideshow

1 of 7

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Fit fashion

Credit: Getty Images

Support tank, shimmel, long top—no matter what you call it, this bra-and-tank-in-one top is a must-have for stay-cool summer workouts.

To find the best of the new spring and summer bunch, my curvy, short-trunked self and a tall, willowy friend tested dozens of contenders for fit, function, and (of course) fashion. These six stars shone the brightest.

1 of 7

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 7

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Pooch patrol

The groovy pattern on the front of the Brooks Glycerin Print Support Tank II ($46; BrooksRunning.com) isn't just for looks—it actually acts as camouflage for your tummy. The solid-color side panels help with the visual slenderizing, and the inner bra has cups to complete the streamlined look by keeping the girls lifted and separated. (Think moderate support, perfect for cycling, power walking, or inline skating.)

The hidden zippered pocket on the back (it's just big enough for a pack of GU or a house key) is a handy bonus, and the double strap racer back isn't just super-cute; it allows for an impressive range of motion, too.

2 of 7

3 of 7

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

From om to out on the town

First of all, the REI Sariska Strappy Tunic ($42.50; REI.com) is so soft that you might be tempted to wear it to bed. But that would a shame, because this top deserves to be seen!

The stretchy, flow-y, eye-catching fabric skims the body, and the crisscross straps (adjustable, no less) add an unexpected super-style twist when glimpsed from behind. Wear it to turn some heads at the yoga studio, then keep it on to meet the girls for dinner at your favorite outdoor cafe.

(Editor's note: Currently available in sizes L and XL only.)

3 of 7

Advertisement

4 of 7

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Beautiful in blue

This tank looks like two! The front zip of the Champion Double Dry 1/4-Zip Workout Tank ($34; ChampionUSA.com) actually reveals the patterned inner bra, giving the top a flattering layered look.

And don't be afraid to show your back—the cross-over keyhole styling is an unexpected style bonus. Mesh insets under the arms add to this top's substantial cooling and wicking power. It's perfect for low impact activities like walking or strength training, or wear another bra if you're up for a tougher sweat session. Tip: Get the Seaport Blue color—it's gorgeous.

4 of 7

5 of 7

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Seriously stylish

How do I like thee, Zobha Julia Tank ($62; Zobha.com)? Let me count the ways: One, the off-the-shoulder cut—fun and sexy! Two, the adjustable straps (such a boon for short-trunked women like me). Three, the removable pads in the bra cups—keep 'em in if you're looking for a shapely bust boost, take 'em out if you prefer a simpler fit. And four, the impressive support provided by the stretchy, substantial fabric and aforementioned bra (though the top might be a bit warm for major sweat sessions).

Strut your stuff in Pilates class, then wear it out to the club for a night on the dance floor.

5 of 7

6 of 7

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Fashionably forgiving

Introducing the winner of Health magazine's 2011 Gear Awards for Best Supportive Tank: the PUMA Complete Run Top ($44.99; RoadRunnerSports.com).

Here's why we chose it: The layered-look fabric skims flatteringly over your body without making you look like a potato sack. The shirred back is a nice touch, and the pattern (great for hiding not-so-tight tummies) is cute as can be. Bonus: The mesh backing on the shelf bra is a welcome touch on steamy days. While this top isn't super-supportive, it'll work fine for medium impact for A, B, and C cups; if you're larger or planning on hitting it hard, simply wear another bra underneath.

6 of 7

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 7

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Support star

"Ooh, what a beautiful color!" gasped two of my friends when they saw the Athleta PR Tank ($59; Athleta.com)—that would be the Wave Blue, reminiscent of a tropical cove on a sun-drenched day.

Hue aside, this tank provided the best support of the group—high intensity (running, anyone?) for up to a C cup, medium intensity for Ds. The generously placed mesh on the sides and back invite the cooling breeze in, and the two back pockets are deep enough to hold an energy bar, your keys and ID, your cell, and more during a long bike ride. But that's not all: The higher neckline provides great coverage when leaning over the handlebars, and the fit is generous enough that you don't feel self-consciously hugged by the fabric.

7 of 7

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Su Reid-St. John

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 7 Fit fashion
2 of 7 Pooch patrol
3 of 7 From om to out on the town
4 of 7 Beautiful in blue
5 of 7 Seriously stylish
6 of 7 Fashionably forgiving
7 of 7 Support star

Share options

Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Login

Health.com

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • About Us
  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact us
  • Advertise this link opens in a new tab
  • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
  • Sitemap

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en Español this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
Health.com is part of the Meredith Health Group. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. All rights reserved. The material in this site is intended to be of general informational use and is not intended to constitute medical advice, probable diagnosis, or recommended treatments. All products and services featured are selected by our editors. Health.com may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.health.com

View image

6 Superb Support Tanks for Summer
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.