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7 Best Sports Bras For Large Boobs, Reviewed
Sports bras for big boobs FAQs, answered:
Milly Major, senior design manager at Curvy Kate, gave Glamour the lowdown on shopping for sports bras when you have a larger-than-average bust.
What features matter most in a sports bra for big boobs?
When looking for a sports bra, it’s important to make sure it fits properly – all the bells and whistles will be useless if the bra fits incorrectly. The underband should offer 80% of the support and feel firm but not constricting, whilst the straps should sit comfortably on the shoulder with a two-finger tension. Once you’ve got the fit down,
It’s important to choose something that minimises bounce, as this bounce can damage the breast ligaments over time and cause strain. Encapsulation is the best feature for this, keeping the bust contained whilst you move and exercise without making you feel strapped down and restricted.
How tight should a sports bra feel?
Anything that digs uncomfortably is a big NO! The band of your sports bra should feel similar to that of your bra. As with bras, you might find it takes a day or so of wear to ‘break it in’, but if it feels too tight and like it restricts your breathing, a band size up might help. Alternatively, a sports bra that is too loose is also a no-no, so look for a band that stays anchored to your body instead of moving up and down as you move.
What’s the biggest mistake people make when buying sports bras?
As with any bra purchase, fit is often the biggest mistake people make: choosing a sports bra that is too big in the band or too small in the cup, leading to discomfort or even pain.
People also often assume that a sports bra fits differently from a bra, but it’s still made of the same components and thus is sized the same way. If you’re in doubt, look for a fit tip on a sports bra or speak to a member of the company who should be able to tell you how their sports bra fits. And there is no harm in trying on a few sizes and seeing which works best for your body if you are unsure.
Another common mistake is choosing a sports bra based on how it looks rather than the level of support it offers for your chosen activity. The right sports bra should leave you feeling secure and comfortable, allowing you to focus on your workout rather than your bust.
Meet the experts:
How I test the best sports bras:
I have tested every one of the products mentioned in this article during a range of workouts, from yoga to Pilates and a range of strength training and more cardio-based exercise classes and circuits to truly test out the pros and cons of all.
| Support | Be aware of the two types of sports bra support: compression (the extent to which your breasts are pushed against your breast wall during movement) and encapsulation (how much your breasts are cupped or covered by your sports bra). |
| Fit | It’s important to remember that a gym bra style that suits you a few years ago or a friend with a different body shape doesn’t mean it’s the best one for you. It’s so important to pick a product that fits you right now. |
| Style | While we know that we feel better in ourselves during exercise when we think we look good, we also need to consider whether the cut and design of the sports bra is the right one for the mode of exercise you are partaking in. You will need a different style and/or design for more cardio-heavy workouts in comparison to a slow flow yoga class. |
| Quality | Don’t get me wrong, getting a great deal on any piece of clothing is important. But it is important to weigh up the quality of the fabric and the design to ensure you are getting the best wear vs cost ratio. Even if it looks amazing on you, you don’t want a sports bra to start falling apart after a few workouts. |
Unsurprisingly, only the bras that impressed made it into this edit. However, I also tried the following, which impressed but weren’t my favourite styles:
- Adanola’s Ultimate Tank Bra, £30 – An absolutely gorgeous design, but I couldn’t fit into either the medium or the large size, and the cut across the chest made it feel largely like it was meant for women with a smaller bust. It is available in up to an XXXL though, so it really depends on how much of your chest you want on show while working out. For me, it didn’t give enough support.
- Gymshark’s Vital Sports Bra, £16 – A popular piece, but again feels it wasn’t designed with coverage of a large chest in mind. It’s certainly a light-support piece of kit, which I will be reserving for solo at-home workouts.
Why you can trust me:
I’ve been writing about exercise, health and wellness for approximately six years – having covered my journey into strength training, my yoga practice’s impact on my migraines and much, much more. These assignments and workouts require me to wear the right clothing to get the most out of my exercise regime, whether it’s a weekend yoga class or a cardio-heavy run. So I’ve trialled and reviewed my fair share of gym gear.
As well as my local yoga studio, you can also regularly find me at health and wellness events, from pilates to meditation and from hot yoga to boxing. I make it my mission to have conversations with the most educated and impactful of experts and personal trainers about the barriers women face when it comes to exercise. I am currently on my own journey returning to the world of fitness after having brain surgery earlier this year.
The way I shop for workout clothes as a woman in her 30s is very different to how I used to do so ten years ago. My bust is larger, as are my hips and legs. I do a wider variety of exercise, so I know what leggings, bras and other workout gear to wear for different workouts. Particularly on my yoga journey, I have made it my mission to shop brands that are size inclusive (for all parts of the body) and don’t champion just one body type. That feels good and empowering, not like they were made for a person half my size.