Chest, breasts, boobs, or milkies (as my niece used to call them–you can guess why!). If you are someone who has or used to have the mentioned above and you plan to go running, you need the right support. And no, I am not talking about a supportive running shoe. I am writing about a supportive bra.

I used to hate exercise and really disliked it, especially running. I wish I had learned about supportive running and exercise/work-out bras and their value in my teens but didn’t learn about them until my late twenties. Shame on me. But no fooling me twice. Below are things to consider when purchasing or hunting (sometimes if feels like a hunting trip) for the right support.

Decide what support you need

1. The support you need can vary on the size of breasts (are you an A cup or a DD cup). And this varies by brand too!
2. It can vary on previous chest injuries or scar tissue (have you had a mastectomy, do you have pain in a specific area)?
3. The activity? Low impact sports (walking), medium impact (cycling), high impact sports (HIIT, running, kick-boxing).
4. What you want vs don’t want. Do you want your boobs to bounce up and down or not? Do you want full coverage? Do you want cleavage?
5. Do you have implants?
6. What is the shape of your chest? Yes there are shapes!

Decide what style you like/suits you. This is going to take time!

1. What type of back? H-back, x-back, racerback
2. Lots of straps? One strap?
3. front closure or back closure
4. zip-up or hook or pull-on or velcro
5. adjustable
6. color
7. material
8. cups or no cups, molded cups, removable cups
9. underwire or wire-less
10. band width
11. width of straps
12. Do you want it to match with your leggings/bottom outfit
13. Will you wear this by itself or with a shirt on
14. brand?

I envied smaller chested women because it appeared to me it was so easy for them to find the size/fit they needed and that they didn’t even need a supportive bra anyways! But I have learned that is not the case. Every person struggles to find the right feeling bra and even if you are on the smaller end…doesn’t mean you still don’t need the right support. It is again…like a shoe. Very specific to that person.

Here are my recommendations if you fall into the larger chested category.

My first recommendation is Shefit Bras. They are $$$ (retails for $65-$70) but when I caved and ordered one for my first 5k that I planned on jogging I was drunk on happiness because for once I felt my chest was not hindering my pace potential. I use the Ultimate (for high support). It is size inclusive and fully adjustable (the straps and the band are a velcro tug away from feeling just right). And I know why this is amazing…because a woman is the creator! That makes sense. When women design for women, great products happen. With this bra on, I forget that I have a chest that often gets in my way. I feel a lot faster and my posture improves. I make sure to wear this bra for runs outside and also for any days where we might be having a very dynamic day in the gym or when we have a treadmill challenge. It makes a difference! I ran (really jog/walked) my first and to-date only half marathon wearing this bra.

My second recommendation is CALIA Women’s Go All Out High Support Sports Bra $$ (retails for about $45) which I have used for the past two months. I purchased this bra because it was on sale and I was needing a smaller band size (after some weight loss) and I am sometimes cheap and wasn’t ready to shell out $$$ for a smaller size of the Shefit bras. WOW! This is a very good running bra for the cost! The straps are semi adjustable (they do not cross), I like the higher neckline (again because I prefer fuller coverage) and the band is thick. Just know that the band is not adjustable.

Yes, I have tried other usual workout brand name running bras but they just didn’t do it for me…and that is ok. If you have large chest problems consider the brands above and say good-bye to wearing two work out bras at once (which I totally used to do) to control the ‘situation’.

Side rant! Why are work-out bras (actually, all bras) so GOSH DARN EXPENSIVE—even the cheap ones will be at least $10-$20?

*DON’T FORGET….just because you have a really good bra doesn’t mean you aren’t prone to chafing…so use that Body Glide (or whatever you like).

I would love to know about your bra recommendations or bra stories (horror/comedy/drama/other genre) or bra thoughts! Please share your comments below!