The short answer is no, a sports bra is not a top, although it can look a lot like one. Let’s dive into why.
What is a sports bra?
By definition, a sports bra is a bra that supports your breasts during physical activity.
You might also see mentions of “underwear” in some of the Google definitions, but we disagree! While daily bras are considered underwear, sports bras are gear, equipment designed to help you perform at your best.
If a sports bra were simply underwear, you could wear a regular bra to the gym without any negative effects on your health or performance—but that’s not the case.
What is the difference between a sports bra and a top?
When you think of a top, you probably picture a cropped, tank top that fits closely to your body. Some sports bras might resemble these tops from the outside, but it’s the inside that matters. A top is just a piece of fabric that covers your body, while a sports bra has additional features like an underband, straps, and cups that lift and support your breasts.
Why does support matter?
Support is crucial when exercising, even during low-impact activities like walking, because the breast is primarily made of fat, skin, and ligaments.
Image source: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Group, edited to only show ligaments, skin and fatty tissue.
These tissues alone are not strong enough to prevent your breasts from bouncing, which can cause issues like premature sagging, permanent ligament damage, and pain, among other symptoms (read more about these here).
What is a sports bra used for? Do I need one?
A sports bra is used during any physical activity, whether it's walking, participating in a PE lesson, after-school clubs like badminton or table tennis, going to the gym, running, hiking, and more.
While it’s true that larger breasts need more support, it’s a misconception that smaller breasts don’t need support at all. No matter your size, your breasts can lose fat, your skin can stretch, and your ligaments can still become damaged. Make sure you wear a sports bra for any activity that gets your heart rate up!
To Note – not all sports bras are good sports bras
While the goal of a sports bra is to provide support and reduce movement so you can exercise freely, not all sports bras achieve this effectively.
Some trendy, aesthetically pleasing sports bras lack key supportive features, making them more like tops in terms of functionality—so we understand the confusion!
Other sports bras might be too tough or constrictive. While they may offer support, they can cause other problems, such as discomfort, rib cage pain, or restricted movement and breathing. We recommend avoiding these types of bras.
Finding the right sports bra
You might think it's difficult to find a good sports bra—but fear not! There's a great sports bra for everyone. Use our handy guide for tips on what to look for when purchasing a sports bra.
The solution
We have created a sports bra backed by science, with the help of breast health experts. It incorporates everything we know about how breasts move during exercise, ensuring you stay both supported and comfortable while avoiding the issues mentioned above.
This ultimate sports bra features industry-first innovations and has been tested extensively in both labs and real-world settings. It achieved an impressive 74% reduction in breast movement, outperforming its top 60 competitors in its testing group.
If you’re serious about your athletic performance and health, and you're an active person, this bra is definitely for you. Learn more about it, here.