The Best 14 Sports Bras for Every Kind of Workout, According to Fitness Pros (2024)

A sports bra is arguably one of the most important pieces in your activewear wardrobe. A supportive and well-fitting bra will keep you comfortable while you sweat it out; an ill-fitting one can altogether ruin the experience. Choosing the sports bra comes down to finding one that’s a great fit for the coverage and support you need—and that’s also a fit with the activities you plan to do. An overbuilt bra won’t feel great during a yoga class, while jumping rope in one without enough support can downright hurt.

We spoke with seven fitness pros to find a range of sports bras to suit low-, medium- and high-impact activities for all types of bodies. These are 14 they wear and love.

Versatile favorite

The Daily Bra from Vuori received compliments from some experts we interviewed, including celebrity fitness trainer and founder of The Sculpt Society, Megan Roup, because of its classic scoop-neck design, luxe fabric and range of colors. The minimal design suits most exercises, but LA Thoma Gustin, DPT,— a celebrity trainer, physical therapist and founder of the Dare To Be Active fitness app—likes the medium compression for higher-impact activities: “I would have loved to have had this bra while playing soccer in college,” she says, because of its comfortable support.

High-impact choice

It’s important to choose a bra that supports your chosen workout and that’s especially true with running, says Massy Arias, Los Angeles-based certified personal trainer. “Since I am a full C [-cup], I always need support and coverage in any activity I do.” That’s why she’s such a fan of the quick-drying Sweaty Betty Ultra Running bra. The stylish high-impact bra has mesh paneling for added ventilation, padded shoulder straps and molded cups that add shape and hold your chest in place. The bra transforms into a racerback, and the hook-and-eye closure makes taking it off much easier than your average high-support bra, adds Arias.

Stylish statement maker

With a twisted front detail, keyhole cutout, and plunge neckline, the Fabletics Oasis bra has a sexy edge, which is what Shelby Robinson, fitness coach and founder of FXS Body Factory in Atlanta, Ga., is looking for in a sports bra. “It allows you to have a little cleavage, and it’s just very feminine,” she says. “On top of that, it’s got great support and comes in so many different colors.”

High-neck standout

New York City-based celebrity personal trainer and founder of The Stoked Method, Kira Stokes, is partial to the high-neck version of this Lululemon bra because it adds sun protection to her chest when working outdoors and helps prevent bounce. Stokes, whose high profile clients include Olympic gymnast Nastia Liukin and actress Shay Mitchell, says the strappy racerback Energy bra is one of her longtime favorites “because it provides really great support for higher-impact activities like jumping rope and running.” It’s made of Lululemon‘s smooth and sweat-wicking Luxtreme fabric, and the high lycra content allows the bra to stretch well and retain its shape. And even though it’s compressive, it’s easy to get on and off, says Stokes.

Longline style

For a bra that accommodates larger breasts with support and comfort, Arias recommends the quick-drying Warrior Longline made of Athleta’s body-hugging performance material. “The fabric is buttery soft for light to medium activity like yoga, studio workouts and floor work,” she says. The thicker lower band and crisscrossing straps hold everything in place, and the fabric is rated UPF 50+, offering UV protection for outdoor workouts.

Reversible option

Overly complicated sports bra designs can sometimes impact support and functionality, says Roup, who instead often opts for the soft and stretchy 24/7 Reversible Crop from Free People, which can be worn in a V-neck style or flipped around for a higher neckline in the front. “I have this bra in multiple colors and love the coverage.” She adds that it “can work in a high or low-impact class.” The slight ruffle trim adds a delicate touch and makes it more stylish for everyday wear. If you’re new to wearing a bra as a top, this is a good place to start.

Breathable mesh top

The Patagonia Active Mesh is the favorite sports bra of Olympic rower turned competitive cyclist Kendall Chase. “It’s the only bra I have purchased for the last seven years, and I haven’t looked back,” says the Athlete Ally pro ambassador. “It’s great for rowing and cycling because it’s not too tight but still supportive.” The seamless bra is treated with a plant-based textile softener, so it feels extra smooth against the skin and has an odor-control technology. The double-lined fabric also provides excellent nipple coverage on the front, according to Chase.

Classic choice

For running, Peloton instructor Kristin McGee recommends the Nike Swoosh sports bra because of its wide straps and compressive hold. “It’s supportive without smushing my breasts,” she says. The simple racerback bra is made of recycled polyester and spandex with Nike’s sweat-wicking Dri-FIT technology. It has a single removable pad which gives the chest streamlined yet sculpted look, and the pocket for the padding opens from the top, so you can also use it to stash small items like a credit card or key while you exercise.

Low-impact wardrobe staple

For a low-impact bra that’s also super stylish, Stokes recommends the Airlift Intrigue from Alo Yoga, which has a keyhole cutout at the back, adjustable, crisscrossed straps and the perfect amount of stretch. It comes in a wide range of gorgeous colors, including Cinnamon Brown and Magenta Crush. “The adjustable straps make it really kind on your shoulders,” says Stokes, because the last thing you want is a bra that digs into your traps while working out.

Lower-price pick

You’d be hard-pressed to find a more comfortable, supportive and flattering bra for less money than Old Navy’s adjustable PowerSoft version. With a sleek look and soft feel that rivals many pricier brands, the adjustable racerback straps make this bra a winner for Robinson because you can personalize the fit, so if you fluctuate in size, the bra will meet you where you’re at. “I went running in mine and had to adjust the straps compared to the last time I wore it, which is a huge convenience,” she says. “And the straps aren’t going to loosen on you.”

Nursing-friendly bra

Thoma Gustin welcomed her first child last year, and the Kindred Bravely Sublime low-impact nursing and maternity bra supported her through pre and postnatal workouts. “It was the right combination of support and comfort during a very sensitive time,” she says. The pullover racerback bra features adjustable straps (a bonus for shifting breast sizes), pull-down nursing clips and removable padding, which also help prevent leaks from showing. The bra is available in both “regular” and “busty” size ranges.

Supportive racerback

McGee is a fan of Handful bras and wears the Oregon-based brand’s adjustable strap bras for low-impact yoga and under everyday clothes. For running and other high-impact activities, she turns to the more supportive Y-Back bra. “I like the material they use, and the straps never chafe me.” The bra has racerback straps and a wide band that keeps the bra from shifting during movement, and the front ruching isn’t just cute, it also helps with shape and support to keep breasts from bouncing when battling ropes at CrossFit or doing aerobics.

Front-closure convenience

If you’re looking for a workhorse of a bra and you prefer one that fastens in the front, the Enell Sport has you covered. It opens with a hook-and-eye closure, which makes getting it on and off easy because you don’t have to pull it over your head. Stokes’s supermodel client Ashley Graham wears the brand in her Thank Bod at-home workout video series, created in conjunction with Stokes. Enell specializes in bras for women with larger chests, and it doesn’t get more supportive than this classic sport version with a thick, bottom band and wide straps that won’t dig into your skin.

Chic V-neck

The Let’s Move Kellam style is a fashionable bra that looks as good out to brunch as it does at the gym. Roup, who owns the Varley bra in different colors, compliments the V-neck front, which adds a stylish touch to athleisure outfits. The fabric is soft—made of a blend of recycled polyester and elastane—she says, but still offers excellent support for high or low-impact exercise classes.