Wearing a sports bra is recommended for running. As mentioned above, sports bras are designed not only to provide compression and support but also use fabrics that dry fast and reduce irritation during activities like running. Sports bras are also designed with features like bonded seams and extra ventilation that a typical bra doesn’t have. These features mean more comfort for you while exercising. 

Women with larger chest sizes will find the use of a sports bra while running more crucial than a woman with a smaller chest size. This is because there is more breast tissue that can move during exercise for women with larger bust sizes. However, women of all shapes and sizes can benefit from a great sports bra while running. The key is finding the right one for your body.

For more information on the performance fabrics used in Lume Six sports bras click here.

For more information on the comfort-focused features used in Lume Six sports bras click here.

The best sports bra for exercise is the one that works best for you. When looking for the right sports bra for you, consider the exercise you are planning to do (is it high impact? low impact?), your chest size and your own personal preference. 

The best thing is to try on a variety of sports bra to find the right one. There are a huge variety in body shapes, sizes, breast tissue composition and all that combined with personal preferences mean there is no one right sports bra for everyone. When trying on sports bras, take the time to move around and see how the sports bra feels and if it moves with you. The straps shouldn’t fold or collapse, which can cause a pressure point over the shoulder, and the bottom band should have a good, secure connection under your bust, this is where the foundation of support comes from. 

We recommend a high impact sports bra for high impact activities like running, if you have a large bust size, or when you want a little bit more coverage. Medium impact sports bras can be great for lower impact sports like mountain biking, hiking, weight training, etc. A medium impact sports bra can be supportive enough for high impact activities if you have a smaller chest size. 

The type of sports bra you wear for cardio greatly depends on the type of cardio that you do, your chest size and personal preference. Here are some examples:

These are both low impact cardio exercises. For these, the focus should be on lightweight and breathable fabrics since you will heat up from the cardio but there won’t be much, if any, air flow to cool you down. High compression and support is less important for these, but some people may want extra coverage. We recommend our Alta Medium Impact Sports Bra.

Running is a high impact exercise and requires a high impact sports bra for most women. Look for a sports bra that is focused on support and compression. We recommend our Cirra High Impact Sports Bra.

HIIT (High Impact Interval Training) is a high impact and varied activity that requires lightweight breathability combined with support. So, depending on your chest size, medium or high impact sports bras could both work. We recommend our Cirra High Impact Sports Bra.

Cycling can range from low to medium impact. The focus should be on lightweight breathability and certainly overall comfort. If you are wearing a pack, be sure to get a sports bra with bonded seams or seamless construction so that you don’t get irritation from the bag and sports bra rubbing your skin. We recommend our Alta Medium Impact Sports Bra.

Sports bras can help to reduce bouncing while exercising. Reducing bouncing can help to alleviate discomfort while exercising however, if bouncing is completely eliminated, it can also restrict movement and breathing. Therefore, we recommend looking for a sports bra that reduces bouncing while still allowing enough flexibility for freedom of movement. You should not feel any pain or discomfort from your sports bra. 

To view the full Lume Six collection, and find a sports bra that suits you, click here.