Happy Thursday guys! As some of you may have seen earlier this week on either my Instagram Stories or the Brooks Running Instagram, I had the opportunity to spend time shopping for sports bras with Brooks and Jack Rabbit. If you are a long-time reader, you may remember that I am small chested (36A). For years, I didn’t think much about sports bras because I didn’t think that someone who was small chested needed support. I did not enjoy wearing sports bras as I felt they made my small chest even smaller and flatter. Maybe that’s because for the first four years I worked out, from the age of 22-26, I wore a very basic sports bra that was $14.99 at Target. It provided no support or padding, instead it was more like an ace bandage wrapped around my chest. No wonder I hated putting that thing on.
Luckily since my favorite brand, Brooks, makes wonderful sports bras, they offered to provide me with a bra fitting session in partnership with Jack Rabbit. During my session with Leslie at Jack Rabbit, I learned so many tips that I asked my friends at Brooks if I could share the images and tips with you guys to ensure you pick the right sports bra for you, regardless your chest size.
- Women of all size can benefit from a quality, well-fitted sports bra – not just those with larger chests.
- Women with small chests need to have a bra with support to avoid sagging and permanent damage to breast tissue later in life.
- Get measured every year because even small changes can make big differences, especially for people with smaller chests.
- The fit of the bottom band is the most important part of the bra as this is what provides most of the support. You want it to be tight enough to provide support but tight enough so that your girls won’t come out if you raise your arms.
- Breast tissue moves in a figure eight pattern when you run, walk or jump. Wearing a sports bra with cups, known formally as an encapsulation bra, will support you better and help you avoid that unfortunate uniboob feeling.
- If the bra is folding, wrinkling or has too much space in the cup that means you need to go down a cup size.
- Your sports bra size may be different from the bra size you wear each day. Try on lots of different sizes and styles, often in one size smaller and larger than your daily bra, before choosing a sports bra.
- A bra with adjustable straps can help ensure a perfect fit and that the bra can provide enough support regardless the exercise.
- In the Fall of 2015, Brooks began re-branding their Moving Comfort division to Brooks. Therefore, if you have a favorite Moving Comfort bra that you’re looking for, it can be found on the Brooks site and may now have a Brooks logo on it!
During my session, I fell in love with three bras.
I have never worn a sports bra with a hook and eye closure but man did I fall in love with the level of flexibility and comfort this provided. In addition, this bra comes with molded cups so I felt supported and shapely versus flat as a pancake. The adjustable straps, which I am modeling in the above picture, also allow me to adjust the bra depending on the activity. For high intensity or running I would tighten it to limit the movement but for yoga or pilates, I can wear it a bit looser. If you are nursing, the adjustable straps can also make this a great bra option for easy access. The molded cups on this bra made me actually feel as if I had shape versus being flat as a pancake. I loved this bra so much that I bought two of them, one in black and one in blue!
How fun and unique is the design of this bra with the plunging v-neck and seamless style? This lightweight, breathable bra is a great option as it provides support and contoured cups without sacrificing style. Even though I tried this bra on again at Jack Rabbit, I have owned this bra for three months and have worn it to many a workouts and run. It is comfortable and a great, chafe-free option!
This bra is the only one that I tried on which was designed specifically for A/B cups. Even though it has S/M/L sizing it still has contoured cups which provide support as well as a nice, curvy shape while the cross back allows for ventilation during your workout. As you can see from the picture at the top of this post, I love this bra so much that I wore it throughout our Canada hiking trip, even stripping down to just the bra on an especially hot day. The only thing that could make this bra even better would be adjustable straps.
GIVEAWAY CLOSED – Winner @momsgottarun entry #47
I like the jubralee sports bra and would love to win it. I need a bra that can support me and that looks like it would.
I follow on Facebook
Uplift Crossback in pink
Love the uplift
The second crossback option, love it!
I’m a huge fan of Brooks sports bra. My two favorites are Juno and Jubralee! I find they both work well for those of us that have been ‘blessed’ up top!
I love the design and the fun prints of the rebound racer!
I follow on FB!
Love that front runner racer bra! So different! Adorable!
I follow of FB
Also,follow on Instagram!
i love the uprise crossback and the front racer!!
There are a lot of great styles but I especially like the Uprise Crossback Sports Bra!
I’ve heard the Juno is great and would love the opportunity to try it. I’m a new mom and definitely need to adjust with the changes my body has undergone.
The Uprise Crossback is the one I´d choose!
I love both the uprise and front rise bras!! Hard to choose!
I’ve heard great things about the Juno, so I think I’d try that in a fun color. I follow on insta!
I love the Uprise Crossback!
I follow on Instagram.
The women’s “Just Right” looks perfect for me!
The front runner racer bra is the one that stands out to me but the Fiona is a close 2nd!
I follow on Instagram and FB!
I like the JUNO SPORTS BRA.
I liked you on Facebook.
I followed you on Instagram.
front runner racer bra!
I would love to win the Frontrunner sports bra!
I follow on Facebook!
I like the Women’s Maia Sports Bra
Uprise crossback is the one I currently have in my running bra rotation so would love another!
I’ve been wearing the Juno bra for years- it’s the best!
The Uprise Crossback Sports Bra is so cute! I am small chested too and sometimes feel like sports bras give me TOO much support!
I loveeeee the Juno. I have a large chest and it’s the only thing that works for me!
I would like to try the Uprise one! I feel like we are similar size
I would love to try the uprise crossback bra
Frontrunner Racer Bra
I’d love to try the Frontrunner Racer Bra!
The Fiona looks interesting – never seen anything like that before.
I would love to try the Fiona
I follow on insta
I like you on facebook
I’ve heard lots of great things about the Juno. I would also love to try the Uplift Crossback. It’s looks like a good running bra!
I’d love to try the Juno!
The uprise is fantastic
I like the Upright Crossback!
i followed you on FB!
Great options! I like the Women’s UpLift Crossback Sports Bra in black with the design straps!
Of course I follow you on IG 🙂
And duh I follow and LOVE your FB page <3
I love the criss cross back of the UpRise!
I also follow on Instagram and Facebook!
I love the crossback one!
The FrontRunner Racer bra is my front runner. 🙂
I think the Fiona would work best for me. I follow on Instagram and FB.
I love the rebound racer and the juno! I good running bra that doesn’t allow me to bounce all over is worth every darn dime.
I also follow on Facebook.
You had me at adjustable straps! Frontrunner!
I like the front runner racer.
I follow you on instagram
I would love to try the AnyDay bra!
I follow you on Instagram!
I’d love to win ANY of them! I’m nearing the end of my first trimester and my chest has gotten huge! I am in desparate need of a new sports bra!
The Fiona for me! Hook and eye + adjustable straps FTW
Not sure if this is open to your Canadian readers or not, but I really love the Rebound Racer.
I follow you on Instagram already.
I didn’t realize you had a Facebook page too, but I just followed it. 🙂
I am loving the FineForm bra!
Already following you on instagram @j_mosh 🙂
I like you on facebook, too!
The juno! Great bra that keeps everything in place while still being comfortable!
Also follow on Fb
And on insta
I like the Uprise Crossback Sports Bra!
Love them all but the uprise is my fave
Insta follower
FB follower