Good Fit/Bad Fit
Our Sports Bra Experts are here to help you understand when your sports bra is fitting properly... and when it isn't!
Your sports bra needs to fit well to ensure you can exercise comfortably and confidently. A badly fitting sports bra can lead to chafing, too much bounce, back and neck pain, and a lack of confidence during exercise.
Put on your sports bra, watch this video with a mirror handy, and let's evaluate the fit! We discuss the common pitfalls, the three key areas of support, and how you can fix the fit.
Making the Right Adjustments
Sometimes it can be difficult to know what is fitting right and what isn't. Have a quick read of our guide below to help you make the right adjustments to your sports bra.
80% of the support in a bra comes from the band, so it's important to get this fitting correctly first before moving on.
The band should feel firm but comfortable - try taking deep breaths like you would during sport. If it is feeling too tight to breathe, and it is digging in, then it is too small, try going up a band size.
If your band is too loose, it will ride up your back during the day, and can cause shoulder, back pain, chafing, and red marks! Try going down a band size if you are experiencing any of these.
Your band should sit straight around your body and you should be able to fit two fingers under the band and run them smoothly between bra and skin for the perfect fit.
A new sports bra should fit like this on the loost set of hook and eyes. Then we recommend that every three months you will be ready to cinch it into the next row if worn and washed regularly. A sports bra doesn't last forever, so expect to renew it each year or sooner if you change size.
If there is spillage of breast tissue out of the sports bra (from any direction) or the bra sits away from the breastbone, then the cups are too small. Fix this by going up a cup size.
If the cups are gaping, or you are experiencing chafing under the armpits, then the cup size is too big and you should go down a size.
The cups should encase all of your breast tissue, and your sports bra should sit flush against your skin with a smooth transition from sports bra to chest.
Swoop & Scoop! To properly check the fit, make sure your boobs are in the right place inside the cups. Lean forward slightly, swoop your opposite hand inside the bra, and scoop up your breast into the cup towards the centre of your chest. Repeat on the other side! Then check the fit - sometimes a bit of placement is all your need!
Once you have found your band and cup size feeling correct, use the straps to make small adjustments to suit the size of your frame. There should be 1-2 inch give in the straps at the top of the shoulder. Adjust up or down to suit your shape.
It is important to understand that straps can't fix bigger fit issues, so look out for: tight straps that cause red marks and indentations, and your feel like you need to keep tightening your straps throughout the day: your band size is probably too big and that the weight of your breasts is being carried on the straps. Go down a band size to fix this.
Not all sports bra offer adjustability so pick a style that offers you a more personalised fit.