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Best plus size sports bras

 (Nike)
(Nike)

Good fitness wear is half the battle when it comes to working out. Apart from looking good, for women with curves, there’s that extra need for it to support their assets properly.

If you’ve ever attempted to jog, swim, do yoga, HIIT or any kind of training for that matter - with an ill-fitting sports bra, you’ll know how off-putting it can be. Apart from being an obstacle to your fitness routine, it can leave you worried about the damage you’re wrecking on your delicate chest tissue.

While it was once tough to find sports bras in plus size, many brands have taken up the cause and developed designs that not only flatter, but support in all the right places too.

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We’ve rounded up our favourites to make shopping for them that much easier.

Nike Training Plus classic swoosh mid support bra in black

Sizes available: 20 to 30

 (Nike)
(Nike)

In an all-black look with a racer back and the brand’s Swoosh logo on the front, this bra may look basic but it supports superbly. We tried it on week six of our Couch to 5K efforts and were pleased to find zero bouncing, allowing us to focus on our pacing and breathing without distraction.

£26.95 | ASOS

Pink Soda Sport Plus medium support sports bra in leopard print

Sizes available: up to 3XL

 (Pink Soda)
(Pink Soda)

Sporting a fetching leopard print, Pink Soda’s pull-on bra is just the motivation we need to roll out our yoga mat. It’s wire-free which means it offers greater flexibility, and the elasticated waistband did a fantastic job of keeping everything where it should be.

£25 | ASOS

Shock Absorber Multi Sports Bra

Sizes available: up to 38F

 (Shock Absorber)
(Shock Absorber)

Made for high impact sports like running, horse-riding and intense gym sessions, Shock Absorber’s Multi Sports Bra comes with panels for full breast coverage and a semi-rigid inner lining to offer further support against unintended jiggle. There’s a twin set of hook-and-eye fastenings at the back, which keeps the piece closer and secure than ever.

£39 | John Lewis

Nike Women’s Medium-Support Non-Padded Printed Sports Bra (Plus Size)

Sizes available: up to 3XL

 (Nike)
(Nike)

Sports bras have come a long way from looking like a pair of heaving shopping bags - with many putting fun back into function. Nike’s light blue tie dye print is a textbook example. It combines the en vogue retro print with DRI-FIT technology and compression support for a medium support bra that’s good for yoga, pilates and weights. There’s no cup separation though, which may be an issue if you’re doing high intensity reps (hello boob sweat!).

£31.95 | Nike

Sweaty Betty Victory Sports Bra

Sizes available: Up to 38F

 (Sweaty Betty)
(Sweaty Betty)

A stylish option from boutique fitness brand Sweaty Betty, this bra is made from moisture-wicking mesh panels, offering great ventilation when you’re hard at work burning calories. It’s in the high impact category, which makes it ideal for running, circuits, HIIT and more, while the crossover strappy back keeps things feeling secure. There are slim cup pads stitched in - which means they can’t be removed - but offer great shape under vests and t-shirts.

£50 | Sweaty Betty

Sweaty Betty Ultra Run Sports Bra

Sizes available: Up to 38F

 (Sweaty Betty)
(Sweaty Betty)

If you’re not wild about the idea of padding - and plus size wearers rarely are in the bra department - Sweaty Betty does offer another option.The Ultra Run Sports Bra is thinner, so while there are panelled cups they’re not reinforced with further padding. This felt more comfortable to wear out on a run than the Victory, a view furthered by the mesh back and mesh scoop neck. While there are only two hook-and-eye fastenings on the back, the adjustable straps come with a clip, so you can turn this bra into a halter - thereby offering more chest security.

£50 | Sweaty Betty

Sweaty Betty All Train Sports Bra

Sizes available: Up to 38F

 (Sweaty Betty)
(Sweaty Betty)

The prettiest training bra we’ve seen from Sweaty Betty, this is deemed their ‘ultimate high impact sports bra’. With a soft, absorbent lining to mop up sweat, there are additional thoughtful features like wide straps (no uncomfortable digging in) and a high bonded neckline to protect against chafing. This is also non-padded, offering more flexibility and freedom of movement.

£65 | Sweaty Betty

ASOS 4505 Curve square neck sports bra in organic cotton

Sizes available: up to 30

 (ASOS)
(ASOS)

ASOS’s Curve range is much-loved amongst plus size shoppers, not just for style but for its size range - this sports bra goes up to a 30 and comes in a pretty lilac colour. The pull-on style is made with organic cotton and is part of ASOS’s responsible edit (the cotton crop is grown using less water and is pesticide-free, so it’s a win for both farmers and local wildlife). With no wires and wide, nearly crossover-style straps, you can move freely without feeling like anything is falling out. We’d save this for lighter, mat-based workouts as the all-cotton design may show sweat stains more obviously than the other bras featured on our list.

£18 | ASOS

Goodmove Extra High Impact Serious Sports™ Bra F-H

Sizes available: up to 42H

 (M&S)
(M&S)

Unusually for a sports bra, this M&S option comes with underwire. It’s been developed in collaboration with Japan’s Asahi Research centre and purports to cut bounce by 25 per cent - we certainly felt safely locked in wearing this printed design. When you factor in the padded adjustable straps, the extra-secure quadruple hook-and-eye fastening and the breathable, moisture-wicking fabric, it all works out to be a great option for punishing fitness routines.

£19.60 | M&S *On sale from £28

Bravissimo Apollo Sports Bra

Sizes available: up to 40L

 (Bravissimo)
(Bravissimo)

If you don’t like the idea of the dreaded mono-boob, Bravissimo has your back (and front) covered. The Apollo design comes underwired with thick lining that mimics padding on the cups. Both the straps and the fastening are padded, so there’s no danger of digging in or chafing.

£40 | Bravissimo

M&S Goodmove Extra High Impact Sports Bra

Sizes available: up to 42F

 (M&S)
(M&S)

Another underwired option from M&S, this time in a more subdued black option (but livened up with lime green lining), this too has been developed alongside Japanese scientists.

The full-cup sports bra also cuts bounce by a quarter, making it perfect for high-impact workouts and sports like tennis and rowing. The moisture-wicking Cool Comfort™ fabric helps you feel fresher for longer.

£19.60 | M&S *On sale from £28

Shock Absorber InfinitY Power Bra

Sizes available: up to 40F

 (Shock Absorber)
(Shock Absorber)

Promising ‘Extreme Bounce Control’ sets the standard high but sadly we don’t have a trampoline to try this out. Instead we took this front zip bra out for a run, really putting it through its paces on a final 30 second sprint. While everything thankfully remained contained, the fear of the zip unlocking was too much. Instead we’d save this for a mat-based workout at home.

Bravissimo Venus Sports Bra

Sizes available: up to 38J

 (Bravissimo)
(Bravissimo)

Helping to raise the style stakes in your fitness game, the Venus is one of the newest additions to Bravissimo’s collection of sports bras. Straps can be crossed over and the quad hook-and-eye fastening is also padded, all helping you feel comfortable and secure.

£40 | Bravissimo