Sports bras are an unfortunate, slightly uncomfortable requirement when it comes to female fitness. A few reasons to invest in one: you went to the gym to work out, not to have men stare at your Kate Upton-esque jiggle while you try your best to conquer the StairMaster; your boobs need to be flattened and contained so they don't get in the way of the upward motion as you pump your iron; because any sort of bouncing activity (jumping jacks, treadmills, pot-holes while biking...) causes pain, and holding your arm against your chest while your trainer yells at you to “double speed for 30 seconds!” looks and feels plain ridiculous; and, lastly, because none of us want saggy boobs when we’re older (the painful tightness of sports bras helps prevent ligament damage). So, sports bras, we begrudgingly welcome you into our lives. But with endless but often uninspiring options out there, what to choose? Some picks below:
Under Armour ‘Armour’ Sports Bra : For the ladies with larger breasts, or even those on the smaller side that tend to participate in “high impact” exercises (running, biking, aggressive team sports), give this Under Armour bra a shot. It has a higher neckline to downplay cleavage, removable cups to avoid high-beam nipples, and a hook-and-eye closure for easy, no-sweat-in-your-face removal.
Calvin Klein Modern Racerback Bralette : Truthfully, this is more about fashion than function. A great option if you want to channel ‘90s Moss and Mark(y-Mark) in your low impact—yoga, Pilates, horizontal running—workout, or if you just bought some overalls and want some less-than-a-crop-top, but more-than-a-traditional-bra coverage.
Adidas Seamless Bra in Slime : Because neon is the greatest. Seriously, everyone looks better with neon against their skin. And when you’re staring in the mirror trying to perfect your posture during squats, looking good certainly will help with the embarrassment we all feel while doing squats. (Does anyone not feel like a total fool doing squats?)
Lucas Hugh Ion Sports Bra : Another option suited for a lower-impact sport—maybe with the warmer weather, you’ve decided to take up long walks in the countryside with your adorably large Irish Wolfound in tow—a bra with a bit of flair will be a welcome change among the many black options we all have stuffed in the backs of our bra drawers.
Anita International Extreme Control Sports Bra : Here comes another one designed for bigger-busted beauties. Has anyone else tried the double-up bra option—you know, wearing a normal bra under your sports bra to help ease the bounce? This bra is built for maximized support and will keep your boobs snug without squashing them so badly that breathing becomes difficult. Jeez, the things us women have to deal with.
—Elizabeth Brockway
Photo courtesy of Patta.
