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Sports Bras Tried And Tested: Which Are The Most Supportive And Comfortable?

Which Sports Bra Should You Buy? We Put Them To The Test
Ellen Wallwork
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Not being able to find the right sports bra deters one in five women from taking part in sport or exercise, according to a study by the University of Portsmouth.

So in order to remove this obstacle to fitness we've put sports bras from brands including Nike, Adidas, Berlei and Sweaty Betty to the test to help you decide which is the right one for you.

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"It is really important to wear a supportive sports bra as your breasts move a lot during exercise, as much as up to 14cm depending on your cup size," says Agnes Dewhirst, lingerie buyer at Figleaves.com.

"A good sports bra enables you to be comfortable and confident. Not wearing a supportive sports bra could cause pain in your breasts as well as stretching the ligaments, the effects of which are irreversible."

But buying a good sports bra doesn't have to be difficult, as Dewhirst explains to HuffPost UK Lifestyle:

"It is important to choose a support level suitable for the activity," she advises.

"A low impact sports bra is not going to give you the support you need if you love running or horse riding.

"Crop top styles (without cups) tend to be used for low impact exercise such as yoga or pilates, although there are a lot of sports bras now that give the appearance of a crop top but have internal structuring that give you a higher level of support.

"The type of straps you choose can be down to personal preference or the style of top you like to wear, but from a fit perspective a racer back can be useful if you have narrow shoulders or tend to find the straps slipping off your shoulder.

"Some people also feel as though a racer back can give more support and also if you’re running it can help with freedom of movement with your shoulders.

"Most sports bras with wide straps are also designed to have a racer back option with a hook so you have both options to choose from."

How should you test a sports bra before buying it?

"The most important things you should first check are that the level of support is correct for the activity you intend to use it for and that the fit is correct," says Dewhirst.

"Once you know these things then try jogging in the spot or jumping up and down to make sure your breasts do not feel like they are bouncing."

How can you ensure you've got the right size?

"It is really important to make sure your underband is firm and horizontal," says Dewhirst.

"Most sports bras will come up a bit tighter on the underband to give you the support you need.

"It is also really important that your breasts are fully covered and you do not have any bulges at the top of the cup or at the underarm area.

"Make sure you tighten your straps enough that they feel secure but don’t dig in. A sports bra should be more covering than a everyday bra to prevent movement."

How should you care for your sports bra?

"Make sure you follow the care instructions on the label as it will depend on the sports bra," says Dewhirst.

"Most non wired sports bras you can give a gentle machine wash whereas underwired styles will need to be hand washed."

Scroll through the gallery below to see how the sports bras held up to our testing:

Sports Bras: Tried And Tested
Freya Active Moulded Sports bra, £38.00(01 of13)
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Level of support: It held in all the right places during a run.
Straps: Adjustable and quite thick - making this bra a good choice for larger sizes.
Comfort: It was fairly comfortable during a short burst of exercise, but possibly not the best option for an hour run.
Look/fit: Love the design and bright burst of neon, but the three row hooks were really irritating - and made it hard to put on by yourself (although our tester did manage to get into it eventually). Would our tester buy it? Yes - it's good value for money and seems like it would last a long time. It looks really cool too - a nice blend of fashion and function.
Size range: 34-40B,C 28-40D,DD,E,F,FF,G 28-38GG 30-36H 32B,C
Available from figleaves.com. (credit:Freya)
New Balance The Seamless Genius I in Bright Cherry, £32(02 of13)
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Level of support Very strong, the front of the bra comes up quite high and holds you in place securely - no matter how many star jumps you do!
Straps: Wide and elasticated with a racer back
Comfort: The fabric is soft and the bra is seamless so there's no rubbing whatsoever.
Look/fit: The bright neon pink colour means it is a shame to cover up this beauty with a T-shirt. However, it fits very snugly - perhaps a little too snugly, and does flatten you out quite a lot, which doesn't create the most flattering silhouette.
Would our tester buy it? Definitely but perhaps in a slightly larger size than I'd normally go for.
Size range: S, M and L.
Available to buy from newbalance.co.uk. (credit:New Balance)
Running Bare - Kendall High Impact Sports Bra, #44(03 of13)
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Level of support: The bra can definitely stand the test of time.
Straps: Racer back, crop top.
Comfort: It was comfortable, it comes with added cups (which were promptly removed as they we a little on the small side) but you could wear this for an extended period of time.
Look/fit: If the bra's jazzy print isn't enough to motivate you to go out for a run, then we don't know what will. This is definitely a sports bra to wear out and about.Would our tester buy it? It's a great bra, but is a bit too expensive for me personally - especially when you could buy a pair of trainers for the same price!
Siza range: 8-16
Available to buy from ActiveinStyle. (credit:ActiveinStyle)
M&S Collection Extra High Impact Zip Front Non-Wired Sports Bra , £22.50(04 of13)
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Level of support: The bra wasn't particularly padded and the racer back meant there wasn't a great deal of support. Ideal for yoga, not for running.
Straps: It was a racer back so not adjustable, but comfortable.
Comfort: It had a zip down the front which didn't look comfortable, but it was. It was also flattering under the arms - usually bras are too supportive and push the fat out giving you bingo flaps. Look/fit: It had a nice bit of animal print piping but wasn't too garish. Would our tester buy it: No - it looked nice and fit well but just lacked the proper support.
Size range: 32C-F, 34A-G , 36B-G, 38B-F, 40C-E
Available to buy from marksandspencer.com. (credit:M&S)
Active Sports Bra with zip, £32(05 of13)
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Level of support: This bra is really supportive, especially if your boobs aren't the biggest. It holds your assets in tremendously well and you can jump around to your heart's content without any mishaps.
Straps: The straps are wide, adjustable and made from a very comfy material - meaning they don't rub the shoulders or dig in. There's also a racer back, which is quite a nice feature to have on sports bras.
Comfort: The bra was super comfy! The material is lovely and soft, the support is second-to-none.
Look/fit: It's not the prettiest of sports bras but it does what it's supposed to. One other downside is that your nipples show through, which some people might find off-putting.
Would our tester buy it? If they did it in colours other than black and white, I definitely would.
Size range: 32-38
Available to buy from Intimissimi. (credit:Intimissimi)
Nike - Pro Classic Bra, #22 (06 of13)
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Level of support: The bra offers great support, whether running or in a high-intensity exercise class for up to around a C cup. Breasts stay in place throughout exercising - even when doing burpees or running up and down stairs.
Straps: Elasticated crop top with a racer back.Comfort: The bra is very comfortable, you could easily leave it on to go for brunch with friends after exercising.Look/fit: The bra is available in a range of colours - neon green is by far the most fabulous, especially under a black sports vest. The Nike website doesn't do the green justice, imagine a highlighter pen and you're along the right lines. The only thing is it does kind of squash your boobs to your chest, but that doesn't really matter if you're exercising - the most important thing is support, which it gives.
Would your tester buy it? Definitely - it's really good value and a great colour.
Size range: XS-XLAvailable to buy from Nike. (credit:Nike)
Berlei Running Bra, £32(07 of13)
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Level of support Very good, we were a bit dubious as this bra doesn't come up as high in the front as some of the crop top styles, but it feels secure and supportive.
Straps: Adjustable and multiway, so you can cross them over if you wish.
Comfort:The straps are very soft and comfortable, but the under-wiring does chafe a bit when stretching.
Look/fit: This bra is shaped like a normal T-shirt bra so you could happily wear it all day and head straight to the gym after work.
Would our tester buy it: Yes, but only the non-wired version.
Size range: 32B – 38FF (under-wired) / 28A – 38FF (Non-Wired)
Available to buy at berlei.com.
Berlei Podium, £45(08 of13)
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Level of support This bra claims it has firm support and it certainly isn't kidding. It is so secure there was virtually no movement at all, which is exactly what you want.
Straps: Wide and racer back, with two hook and eye fastenings at the back.
Comfort: This bra is soft and the adjustable straps mean you can loosen them if there's too much pressure on your shoulders.
Look/fit: The subtle detailing on this bra is gorgeous. It has a flash of silver along the front and the straps are purple on the back.
Would our tester buy it: Definitely, it's pricey, but it ticks every box.
Size range: 32A – 38D (Racer Back) and 32DD – 38G Standard Back.
Available to buy from berlei.com. (credit:Berlei)
Sweaty Betty - Stamina bra, £33(09 of13)
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Level of support: As a compression sports bra, the Stamina bra gives really solid support for medium impact exercise (running, cardio classes). Breasts are so secure, you'll kind of forget they are even there, which is definitely the making of a good sports bra.
Straps: Elasticated crop top with a racer back straps.
Comfort: It's super comfortable, the sweat-wicking fabric can even withstand a VERY hot yoga class.
Look/fit: The turquoise green is great to add a little colour to a drab gym outfit. It provides a good shape and tons of support.
Would our tester buy it? 100%.
Size range: S-L
Available to buy from Sweaty Betty. (credit:Sweaty Betty)
Adidas Techfit Bra, £22(10 of13)
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Level of support: Quite light, this bra was fine while doing yoga but it didn't provide much support while jogging.
Straps: Racer back, which fitted well.
Comfort: Very comfortable. The fabric is made of a light mesh, which helps keep you cool.
Look/fit: It fitted like a glove and looks sleek. It also doesn't have any odd fastenings so can easily be worn under a vest.
Would our tester buy it? Only for lighter exercise such as yoga or pilates.
Size range: 2XS-XL
Available to buy from adidas.co.uk. (credit:Adidas)
Lucas High Paragon Sportsbra, £105(11 of13)
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Level of support Despite it's lightweight feel, the bra still manages to offer a fantastic level of support, even when running or completing star jumps. Your boobs will not move.
Straps: Racer back, not adjustable.
Comfort: The light weight material is breathable and will help to keep you looking cool during a hard workout - even if you don't feel it! Unlike cheaper sports bras that can sometimes feel clingy, it's easy to forget you're wearing this bra, even during a long stint in the gym.
Look/fit: Despite the fact that straps are not adjustable, this bra fit perfectly. The gorgeous blue colour is perfect for summer - wear it poking out above a vest to brighten up your workout look.
Would our tester buy it? Yes, if it wasn't for the price. It's hard to justify spending £105 on one item of underwear - even if it does look and feel fabulous.
Size range: XS to L.
Available to buy from Lucas High.
Me Time Bra, £45(12 of13)
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Level of support There's some slight boob-movement when you wear this bra to run or complete star jumps, but it's fine for it low-impact exercise such as yoga or Pilates.
Straps: Racer back and adjustable, enabling you to create the perfect fit.
Comfort: Although the bra is soft against the skin to begin, the material isn't particularly breathable and becomes slightly clingy by the end of a workout.
Look/fit: A flash of pink brightens up the subtle grey animal print on this stylish bra. A warning though, the grey colour doesn't help with sweat patches if you're really working hard.
Would our tester buy it? Only for light exercise.
Size range: XS to XL.
Available to buy from Every Second Counts. (credit:Every Second Counts)
Result Crop, £62(13 of13)
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Level of support Even if you've got small boobs, this bra has the ability to make you feel self-conscious when exercising. There is very little support and the low armpits make side-boob exposure a constant risk - even after adjusting the straps.
Straps: Racer back and adjustable.
Comfort: The soft, breathable material makes this bra comfortable to wear. It doesn't rub at all.
Look/fit: The fun colour of this bra is pleasing to the eye, but nothing else about it works visually. The fit is very questionable - it doesn't cover you up as much as you'd expect a sports bra to.
Would our tester buy it? No.
Size range: XXS to M.
Available to buy from Every Second Counts. (credit:Every Second Counts)

SEE ALSO

5 Fashionable Outfits To Work Out In For Under £50

#FitNotThin: Top Instagram Fitness Accounts Will Motivate You To Exercise Like Never Before

This April we're running a Fitspiration campaign, where we're championing fitness as a positive addition to life rather than always being about weight loss. From inspirational interviews to easy-to-follow exercise tips, we hope to inspire everyone to get out there and have fun. Trust us, your body will thank you for it. If you'd like to contribute email uklifestyle@huffingtonpost.com or tag us on social media using the hashtag #HPFitness

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