5 Tips and Tricks For Choosing That Perfect Sports Bra

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Since the creation of the first athletic bra in 1977, the sports bra market has exploded. Women now have a seemingly limitless selection and variety to choose the best bra for them. However, not all sports bras are created equal.


Picking the perfect sports bra can be an overwhelming task with so many options to choose from. But don’t sweat it; we’ve got your back.


Here is an ultimate guide for what you should consider when selecting the right sports bra for you. With this guidance, you will find the ultimate workout partner that speaks to your needs and empowers your unique aesthetic.


Determine Workout Intensity:  Low, Medium, High Impact

The first thing to consider is the purpose of your sports bra. What type of physical activity are you doing? Do you casually work out once a week or do intense workouts every day?


Often, brands categorize sports bras based on the impact the workout has on the body. Determining the support you need will help you decide whether you need a low, medium, or high-impact sports bra.


Low-Impact Sports Bra 

Low impact sports bras are made for sports with minimal bouncing, movement, or just for casual wear. For women with smaller breasts or workouts like yoga, these sports bras are a perfect option. 


Medium-Impact Sports Bra 

Medium impact sports bras are designed for extra security for a wide range of cup sizes and body types. Combining the best in comfort and support, this sports bra type can accommodate the everyday woman.


High-Impact Sports Bras 

High-impact sports bras are constructed for maximum support and maximum performance. For women with bigger breasts or more high-intensity workouts like sprinting, gymnastics, and field sports, these sports bras handle it all.


Choose the Right Fit

Just like our bodies come in all shapes and sizes, so do sports bras. Finding the right fit depends on what works with your body to give you the comfort and support you need and the empowerment you want.


Support comes from three points on a sports bra: the straps, the cups, and the band, including the side panels. The most accurate way of determining your perfect fit involves a tape measure and a little bit of math to find your band, bust, and cup size.


However, when you don’t have those tools available, here are a few tips you can use when trying on a new sports bra to determine if it’s truly the right fit.


  • Straps: Grab the top of one strap and the center of the corresponding cup, then pull. Whether they're adjustable or not, less stretchy straps mean more motion control they'll provide.
  • Cups: Repeat a similar stretch test by tugging the top and bottom of each cup; the less give, the more motion control. There should be no spillage when you put on the bra. Consider a bigger size if the cup doesn’t provide complete coverage of your breasts.
  • Band and side panels: Slide a finger under the band between your breasts; you should not be able to pull it more than an inch from your chest. Also, if you reach your arms overhead and the band creeps up, it's too big.


Additionally, you can always use online bra fitting tools.

 

For professional fitting, try our  e-Bra Fitting Quiz and receive three top personalized sports bra picks that are best suited for you. Sports bra fitting has never been so easy.


Customize Your Perfect Sports Bra

Now you know your perfect fit and the use of your sports bra, you can have fun choosing unique features that will make you feel and look great while you work out.


Pullover or Front Closure? 

Choose from the all-over stretch for a full-body hug or fantastic on-and-off latch that breathes convenience when you’re finished working out for the day.


Racerback or Wider Straps? 

Choose from the classic T-style look or a more modern wide strap version for complete comfort and control.


Compression or Moulded Cups? 

Choose from the all-in-one sports bra for lower-impact workouts or the bra that encapsulates your breast for strategic support when you need it.


Specialty Sports Bras: Catered to Your Needs

Specialty sports bras work with total accessibility in mind. These specialty sports bras work to relieve any unique issues or support particular body types while providing outstanding comfort, poise, and relief. These bras can appeal to seniors, post-op or cancer patients, and those with maternity or additional protection needs.


There’s a place in sport for everyone. Your perfect sports bra should help you achieve your fullest potential so you can perform to the max on the field, at the gym, or whenever you put one on.


Bonus: Making Your Sports Bra Last

Our sports bras work hard so we can push harder. That means we expect more of them than our regular bras, especially while we’re moving, stretching, and sweating.


However, even the best fighters need a break. Maintaining good care of your trusty workout partners means they’ll last longer without letting you down. To maximize the life of your sports bra, you should:

  • Choose high-quality materials. Better materials will naturally last longer. Having the proper foundation means it’ll outperform cheaper fabrics time and time again.
  • Rotate your sports bras. Having at least three options will extend the life of each and give you a variety of styles tailored to your workout or aesthetic.
  • Coldwater for cleaning. Washing your sports bras with cold water and mild detergent can extend its life as sweat can be corrosive on your clothes. 
  • The 6-to-12 rule. It’s recommended to change out your sports bras between 6-12 months, depending on the intensity, frequency of use, or if you see early signs of wear-and-tear.

The Perfect Sports Bra Is Waiting for You. Order Yours Now!

When it comes to choosing the perfect sports bra, you can have it all. Now that you have the simple tips and tricks, shopping for the right sports bra will be a breeze. 


Since 2003, we’ve been offering the best collection of sports bras across Canada. Check out our outstanding online selection of sports bras catered to different types of fits, workout intensities and aesthetics, and specialized needs to find the perfect one for you. No matter your body shape, size, or unique style, we’ve got you covered. 



eBra Fitting Quiz

Galentine’s Day: A Toast to Support

By Brigitte Lessard • February 13, 2025
Galentine’s Day: Cheers to Your Boobs & Besties! It’s Galentine’s Day, and whether you’ve already had brunch or you’re counting down to happy hour, there’s still plenty of time to celebrate the incredible women in your life. Today is all about raising a mimosa (or a coffee, or whatever’s in that tumbler at your desk—we won’t judge) to the ride-or-dies who have been there through bad dates, questionable haircuts, and the sheer tragedy of a snapped bra strap in public. How to Celebrate Your Besties Right Now Your best friends are the ones who hype you up, pick you up, and call you out when necessary (like when you text your ex… again). They are your therapists, your karaoke partners, your late-night snack enablers, and the ones who remind you that you deserve the best—whether that’s love, success, or a well-fitted sports bra. So take a moment today to show them some love. Send them a message filled with inside jokes. Drop off a coffee to their office. Venmo them $5 for a treat. If you’ve got plans later, go big: bring flowers, make a toast, and remind them they are a gift to this world. And if you’re apart, plan a Galentine’s movie night for the weekend—complete with snacks, cocktails, and an over-the-top rom-com lineup. Friendship: The Love That Lasts We often put so much weight on romantic love, chasing butterflies and grand gestures, but let’s be real—our friendships are the true love stories. How many times have we cried over a breakup, only to be scooped up by the very friends who knew it wouldn’t last? While romance may come and go, friendships are the steady, unwavering presence in our lives, sticking with us through every high, low, and “what was I thinking?” moment. So today, let’s celebrate the relationships that truly stand the test of time—the ones built on laughter, loyalty, and a deep, unconditional love that no candlelit dinner could ever replace. Galentine’s Day: A Toast to Support 

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Bra: Lifting Adventures

By Brigitte Lessard • February 4, 2025
Ever gone on a trip and realized you packed the wrong bras for that horseback riding adventure or pickleball match? Painful mistake!!! A friend of mine (we’ll call her Sarah to protect the unsupported) came back from a romantic getaway to Mexico with her boyfriend and immediately called me. Not to gush about the sunsets, the margaritas, or the dreamy beach walks—but to confess her massive packing mistake. Sarah had packed push-up bras for “nice vacation vibes” and ONE comfy pullover sports bra for lounging. She figured she was set. She figured wrong. Push-Up Perils & Pullover Problems The first disaster? Pickleball. Sarah and her boyfriend had a fun little couples competition planned at the resort courts, but what she didn’t plan for was her push-up bra trying to escape the match. “Brigitte, I swear my boobs were moving more than the ball,” she told me. “Every time I jumped or reached, I had to stop and fix them. It was NOT cute.” She finished the game—barely—but her boyfriend won, mostly because she was too busy readjusting. 🫣🎾 Then came the horseback riding excursion. 🐎 Sarah imagined herself riding along the beach, wind in her hair, looking like a movie star. Instead, she was bouncing uncontrollably, holding onto the saddle with one hand and her chest with the other. The pullover sports bra she thought would be comfy? Useless. Zero support. And the humidity made it cling to her skin like a wet swimsuit. By the end of the ride, she wasn’t feeling romantic—she was chafed, sweaty, and swearing she’d never leave the country without a good sports bra again. 😅🌴

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By Brigitte Lessard • January 20, 2025
Hey there, my lovely fellow Canadian women! Let me just start with a little disclaimer—there isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell (or a polar vortex) that I’ll ever go full Donald Trump and switch teams to the south. Nope, I’m proudly Canadian through and through, and my e-commerce business, sportsbras.ca, is all about YOU—the amazing, resilient, and supportive women of this great country. I know e-commerce sounds all techy and modern, but let me tell you—I’m bringing some good old-fashioned Canadian service to the game. If you’re in Calgary, don’t be surprised if you see me rocking up to your doorstep with your bra in hand, just like the milkman of days gone by (except with better support and zero chance of spoiling). Yes, your bra delivery might come with a big smile and maybe even a witty quip or two. Why? Because I believe every woman deserves the perfect fit and a bit of joy with her day! And let’s not forget—I bring laughter to the business too, just like my comedy trio Women Wit & Wisdom comedy show . After all, a good laugh is just as uplifting as a great bra! Why Canadian Women Are My Jam From the Maritimes to the Rockies, I’m here for you, ladies. Whether you’re horseback riding in Alberta, running along the shores of Nova Scotia, or power walking your way through a snowy morning in Montreal, I’ve got your back (and front). Supporting Canadian women isn’t just my business; it’s my mission. When you shop at sportsbras.ca, you’re supporting a local business that’s just as proud to call Canada home as you are.
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