Searching for a Sports Bra to Stop Your Boobs from Bouncing?

For a woman with a large bust, finding a bra that provides the right amount of support while minimizing bounce can seem like an uphill battle. Even sports bras, known for their snug fit, can be challenging to find. 

But don’t give up hope just yet—it can be done. 

 

If it’s a challenge to find the right size or style for your body type, make a list of “must-haves” for the next time you go bra shopping. When you know what works on your body and what doesn’t and you arm yourself with the information you need, it makes the whole experience less overwhelming and frustrating. 

In the case of containing a large bust, buying a sports bra that minimizes bounce is a big selling point.

Here is what to look for in a bounce-reducing sports bra:

• Molded cups
• Adjustable, cushioned straps
• Underwire for extra support*
• Lightweight, stretchable fabric

Some women appreciate the extra support and shape an underwire provides during an intense workout; others save the underwire for their everyday bras and prefer wireless in a sports style.

Do I need to wear a sports bra when I work out?

Some women wear their regular bras for all types of activities, whether working or working out. Although there’s nothing exactly wrong with wearing your regular bra to the gym, most women prefer a sports bra for working out. 

Sports bras are designed differently than a regular bra and are meant to withstand the most intense physical activities. A regular bra is made from lightweight materials like cotton, microfiber, and satin, with delicate embellishments such as lace, silk ribbon, and pearls. 

Sports bras are sturdier. Built from durable materials like Spandex, microfiber, and strong elastic, they work hard to absorb (or wick away) moisture and keep everything in place during extreme activities like running, hiking, and even intense stretching like yoga and PiYo.

There are a few types of sports bras:

• Compression bras hold the breast tissue right to the chest and restrict movement.
• Encapsulation bras have individual cups, like a standard bra. But this style has even more structure and some of the features mentioned above, such as an underwire, cushioned, adjustable straps, and a high level of support.
• Combination compression/encapsulation bras that hold the breasts close to the chest limit movement but have individual cups for the greatest amount of comfort and support.

Just some of the features you find in a sports bra that you don’t typically find in a regular bra are:

• Mesh panels for breathability
• Moisture-wicking fabric which allows the bra to dry quickly
• Reinforced, padded underwire
• Cushioned straps

You can continue to wear a regular bra to the gym, track, or trail, but sports bras are meant for working out. And here’s something to think about: regular bras tend to wear out faster than sports bras just because they are worn more often. 

If the garment starts to show signs of wear or the elastic is starting to lose some of its stretch, you’re not getting the right amount of support. So wearing your regular bra while working out isn’t doing much to help control the bouncing. 

Why is “less bounce” so important?

Part of a sports bra’s job is to reduce the amount of bounce during a workout. This is important for a few reasons:

• The more you bounce, the more you’re distracted from your routine. You should be focusing on your workout, not your bouncing boobs while running or worrying about what might be popping out of your top.
• Any type of movement can cause damage to your breast tissue. Intense movement from a high-intensity workout can cause stretch marks and sagging if you don’t have the right kind of support.
• Your breasts should move in sync with your body as you do your workout. Without the right type of support, they could move up, down, or in a figure-8 motion, all of which can be painful. There’s the feeling you get when the lactic acid kicks in, and you “feel the burn,” so to speak, but you don’t want to be in actual pain from your routine.

What are some of the best sports bras for reducing bounce?

The great thing about sports bras is the wide variety of sizes and styles available, so there is something on the market for every breast type. Here are a few of our top recommendations:

No Limits High-Support Underwire Sports Bra

Take it from us—everything will stay in place with this high impact, high-support style. This bra has got it all—cushioned underwire, non-stretch cups for the ultimate in bounce control, and moisture-wicking fabric to keep you cool and dry throughout the most intense workout.

Max Out High Support Underwire Sports Bra

If you’re looking for the perfect combination of securing your bust and the right amount of bounce control, this is it. This style lets you focus on what’s most important—your workout—and not what may or may not be falling out.

Proper care for a sports bra

The best way to care for any kind of bra is to hand wash the item with detergent just for delicates. But we get it’s not always possible to have special detergent on hand. In this case, you can hand wash with regular detergent. 

Machine washing and drying can harm the fabric (even the more durable materials in a sports bra), causing it to dry out, lose its elasticity, and significantly shorten the garment's life. Rather than toss your sports bra in the dryer, lay it flat and allow it to air dry. 

Shopping for a sports bra can take some trial and error. You want to find a style with the right amount of support and bounce reduction that makes you look and feel fantastic. It sounds impossible, but when you know what to look for, it can make the process much easier.