A sports bra is one of the most important pieces of gear in the bag of many female athletes. A supportive sports bra for running can transform your workout by reducing unwanted movement and bouncing and making you more comfortable as you jog, sprint or hit the perfect stride for an endurance race.
A high-quality sports bra that fits well is going to have more chance of long-term success than one that's too big or small. So, pay special attention to sizing and measurements..
Making sure your bra fits is the first step on the road to a great run. Make sure the bottom band is snug and lies flat across your back — not riding up or loose around your rib cage.
Your running bra should be snug but not too tight. It should feel tighter than your everyday bra, but you still want to be able to breathe! If you can slide two fingers in between the straps and your shoulders, you know it’s a good fit.
The cups should fit smoothly - spilling out the sides or front means the cup size is too small, while extra space means the cups are too big.
Being fitted by a bra expert at a running store is probably the best option, but you can also measure your own size at home with just a few tools. But how do you measure for a sports bra?
We'll help you with that.
HOW DO I MEASURE MY BAND SIZE?
Measure around your rib cage where the bottom band would sit. The tape measure should feel quite snug. If you get a fraction, round down to the nearest inch.
HOW DO I FIGURE OUT MY CUP SIZE?
Measure around the fullest part of your boobs — which may not be the centre — and round up to the nearest inch. Then subtract your rib cage measurement. The difference in inches translates to the letter of your suggested cup size. If you get a fraction, round up to the nearest inch.
