A great-fitting sports bra might be one of the most important parts of your workout prep. But finding just the right bra can make women dread the fitting room. We’ve got all the details you need to find the right sports bra for even your wildest adventures.

How should a sports bra fit? 

The key to getting a great fit in your sports bra is to make sure you check out all the angles: 

- Your bra should be tight enough to be smooth all the way around, without any wrinkles or puckers.

- It should also be large enough to hold you in (and that means top, side, and bottom boob) and provide the comfort you need to wear it for marathon sessions at the gym. 

- The all-important cup and band sizes are key, but you should also consider what type of activity you'll be doing. Low impact sports can call for a different kind of bra than a long running session.

- Want to know more about how to get the best bra fit? Check out our How to Choose a Sports Bra Guide. 

What’s the difference between a compression bra and an encapsulation bra? 

- Compression bras press your breasts against your body and are most often found in classic pullover racerback styles. (Think uni-boob!) 

- Encapsulation, on the other hand, gives you extra support from underneath—think of the traditional support you get from an everyday bra. 

- The gold standard (and the key for getting good support for D-DD and up) is to find a sports bra that provides both compression and encapsulation support.

How do I choose a sports bra?

When it comes to choosing a sports bra that works for you, there are a lot of different features to keep in mind.

Get support: The type of support you need not only depends on the size of your breasts but also your impact level. D boobs but doing yoga? A medium impact sports bra may do the trick. Doing a HIIT workout? Leveling up to a High Impact Sports Bra will most likely keep your girls supported and bounce-free. It might sound complicated, but we’ve done the work for you—our barbell ratings can help you decipher all the ins and outs of impact + sizing.

Get closure: Traditional Pullover Sports Bras have lots of company these days. Take a look at Front Close Bras, which usually zip in the front, as well as hook-and-eye closures, which work more like your everyday bra. 

Get the right fabric: The fabric you choose can make or break your workout, so make sure you know what your bras are made of. Choose silky, seamless styles to stay chafe-free, or moisture-wicking fabrics to wick away sweat and keep you dry.

When should I replace my sports bra?

The short answer? Sooner than you think. A bra will last about a year before it starts to slack on support, but keep an eye out for obvious signs of wear and tear, like fraying in a strap, sagginess in the band, or broken hooks or underwire. 

Want sports bra sizing help? 

Check out our Bra Size Calculator.