My favorite workout bras
(sorry to the dudes out there)
The birds are baaaaack.
Every spring, we have turtle doves nesting a condo that the Pilot built. The condo was initially built out of empathetic frustration for the poor birds -they’d try to add nest supplies to the top of the pillar and they’d fall off, landing in a sad pile on the porch- and since then, we’ve had multiple families and baby birds nesting in the house. One day, I was sitting at the breakfast table and noticed a baby wildcat scoping out the baby birds in our backyard. I ran out there screaming -my neighbors think I’m totally normal- but thankfully the wildcat ran off. So excited for the birds that will be born before we move!
Speaking of birds, there are a couple of things I’m excited to do when we get to Cali. #1: I’d love to have a chicken coop. I considered building one in Tucson, but figured it would be too alluring for nearby coyotes. Also, our HOA is kind of womp womp about animals/livestock.
Yesterday ended up being a wonderful relaxing day with the noodle. We had a great dinner together, and after she went to sleep, I had a glass of Malbec, a protein muffin and watched The Bachelor. I don’t even really like it any more, but for some reason, I still like to catch up… and fast forward through the annoying parts. (I can watch a 2-hour show in about 30 minutes haha).
A pic from yesterday’s afternoon snack:
1/2 acorn squash topped with 1 egg, 3 egg whites (from a carton), garlicky kale, sriracha, and almond butter on raw celery. I don’t even like raw celery, but I bought it for a recipe and figured an almond butter blanket would help it out. It was pretty good!
Since this post is already random, and this is a question I get fairly often, I thought I’d post a few of my favorite sports bras. I’m sure many of you are the same way, but I’m super picky about them. The fabric has to be super soft, they have to hold everything in place for high impact and fun colors are always a bonus 😉
My all-time fave for running: Champion smoothie bra. This one is extremely soft, light and no bouncing.
High impact faves: tie between Push Ur Limits (I think that was the name? lulu discontinued it) and Moving Comfort Juno. The Moving Comfort keeps everything in place, but feels more “industrial.” I wish the straps were slightly softer.
Strength training, yoga and dance: Flow Y (I probably have 10 of these) and Reebok studio stripe
What is your all-time favorite sports bra?? Are you loyal to a particular brand, or do you change it up?
Also, if you’ve lost weight or made changes to your body composition, it’s a great idea to invest in a new one. It’s funny, but the right sports bra can totally make or break a workout. Or the times that you forget to pack one and are stuck wearing a normal bra. I tried to do cardio and let’s just say it was a giant fail 😉
Hope you have a great day!
xoxo
Gina
Polar Loop giveaway ends tonight!
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I haven’t found “the one”, I always have to wear two at a time to avoid the dreaded bounce and ouch factor for running or high impact!
Same here! I always double up. I think sports bras are waaaay too expensive and find that the cheaper ones work well if I double them.
definitely try the Juno if they have it in your size. I used to double up and haaaaated it (summertime running + that = nooooo) and I bought that one and havent looked back. it’s expensive but in my eyes definitely worth it. I’m big up top and NOTHING moves. love that bra.
Ahh I’m with you on the doubling up…no fun!
I’m large chested so the Lulu Tata Tammer is my current fave. I have a couple of generic sports bras for low impact but for anything high impact I need thick sturdy straps, a wide band, structured cups and a bra clasp at the back. I’m not brand loyal, as long as it meets the criteria I’ll give it a try 🙂
Try sturdy girl sports bras!
Oh my god The Tata Tammer?? What a brilliant name for a sportsbra <3
My fav is the Energy Bra from lululemon. I had a few flow y’s but got rid of them because they dug into my traps too much. Actually they all dig into my traps but those are especially troublesome for me. I also am a fan of the champion bras, I use to have a lot of them but when they wore out I couldn’t find them around here anymore (whomp whomp)
Thank you so much for this post! I currently use the standard Target sports bras, but have to wear 2… I probably should really look into a good sports bra that only requires 1! But, I was losing a lot of weight and didn’t want to make huge investments at the time and just continued to buy that brand as needed, but now my weight loss has plateaued (womp womp), I probably am safe making the sports bra investment.
Moving Comfort is generally the only way I roll, but New Balance came out with this underwire one that sort of minimizes last year and OMG. It is amazing. Now that I think about it though, I haven’t seen that bra in a while….time to dig through my laundry!
This post came at just the right time, I’m pretty small chested, so when I start to feel a little achy after a run, I know my sports bras are in need of replacement. I just can’t figure out which ones to replace them with! I’ll have to check these out.
I used to love watching the Bachelor now, and even participated in a “bracket” last season, which I ended up barely watching so my bracket meant nothing to me. I can’t even watch this season. It’s just too much drama. It would be way better if the show was an hour, but 2 hours? nope.
I’m curious about the Moving Comfort one, but my favorite out of ones that I have tried (which isn’t that many!) is actually from Old Navy.
old navy has great athletic apparel
It does! And though I got it a year or two ago, it’s in “the color of the year” for 2014–radiant orchid! So I’m loving the one in question even more. :]
One time in college I forgot to pack a sports bra for my post-class workout and ended up doing the elliptical in a regular bra…it was the WORST! I’m a fan of the C9 by Champion sports bras from Target because they’re inexpensive, comfy, and come in fun colors!
Ahh.. I have a love/hate relationship with the Bachelor, too. & Juan just doesn’t do it for me this season.
I really need to invest in a good sport’s bra. I’m still nursing so that is all I ever wear, once I stop I’ll probably order a few of the ones you’ve suggested! Thanks!
i liked him more in the beginning. i still think he’s nice to look at.. if he isn’t talking haha.
being a ddd/F I have not found one but if anyone knows of any for bigger busted girls I would love some recommendations.
I love Moving Comfort. This post reminds me I need some new ones. Thanks for the incentive. 😉
My lady friends are fairly large, so investing in a good sports bra is crucial for me. A few years ago I came across a brand that makes high impact bras for larger breasted women called Sturdy Girl Sports. I’ll never turn back now!
I love the Incredible sport bra by Victoria’s Secret. Great colors and the fit always seems made for you.
I like the Flow Y too, great support, not that I need much, if you know what I mean 😉
I absolutely love your birdie condo. We’ve got birds nesting in the eaves of our place often.
Just an FYI, San Diego, especially neighborhoods around the canyons and hills have coyotes. They walk down the streets often, so I’m not sure they’d be a good idea here any more than in Tuscon.
My parents live in a mountain area and got a beehive a few years ago. I was trying to convince them to get a chicken coop until we read this article that really made us reconsider. Just something to ponder! http://www.nbcnews.com/#/health/health-news/backyard-chickens-dumped-shelters-when-hipsters-cant-cope-critics-say-f6C10533508
Sports bras from Target…or Old Navy…wherever they are on sale, actually 🙂
Chickens…go for it!!! My husband built a coop out of pallets and scrap lumber two years ago. We LOVE the chickens and will never go back to store bought eggs! They eat all the bugs and ticks in the summer along with any veggie scraps we have left from the far share and/or garden. My girls love them, and our dog is a great protector,
Beth
I’ve been interested in trying the Victoria’s Secret sports bras, but I need a good coupon first! I forgot to pack one on a weekend trip last year and the treadmill was not my friend. Thank heavens my husband and I were the only ones in the fitness center to witness what a hot-mess I was =)
I actually love Target’s C9 seamless camp bras. They come in great colors!! I’m also a big fan of the Flow Y.
I’m rocking 36DD, and I’ve found two brands that have great sports bras. CW-X (where Gina got her running pants) has bras that lock and load like you wouldn’t believe, but it’s not the most attractive piece of clothing. Also, I heard a lot of good things about Victoria’s Secret sports bras- I was a skeptic. But, I bought one, and it’s been great. I haven’t had any bounce issues while running.
I’m surprised you didn’t name Victoria’s Secret sports bras, they are the best! VSX 🙂
i LOVE them, but couldn’t include them since it’s literally been 10 years since i’ve bought one haha
Ohhhh Gotcha! Lol. You are cute Gina.
Hi Gina & Everyone,
This is so timely, I’m on the hunt for a supportive sports wireless bra that holds the D’s in place, but doesn’t create a “shelf” effect, smooshing them into a uni-boob. Does that happen to anyone? Do you think the Juno would keep things in place? I hike every day, mixing running and climbing, so it’s a high/low impact mix.
Any tips would be appreciated!!
Sue
hi sue! i TOTALLY think the juno would keep everything in place. it also keeps them separate entities 😉
Thanks Gina, just ordered one & will try it out!
Try the Maia from Moving Comfort. It has separate cups and then coverage over that. Think they call it dual support. I have two and love them.
Hi Kris,
I’m looking for no wires for now (I’ve recently had some major chafing issues with workouts, but that may be the bra I’m wearing). The Maia looks nice though, if the Juno doesn’t work out, I’ll give it a try. Thanks for the rec!
Sue
About a month ago I broke down and ordered a Handful bra. I absolutely love it!! I am small chested though. I can’t wait to order more. They are a little spendy though.
i’ve heard great things about them!!
I kept reading about them and decided it was time to just try one. So glad I did!
I love the champion sports bras!
I recently bought a new one from adidas at Dick’s sport. So far I love it — it is for high impact yet it does not have a mono-boob nor is too industrial looking. Not cheap, unfortunately.
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=32228336
I need a new bra so bad. I have plenty and just invested in THREE from VS, but none of them have great coverage and I always feel like I’m showing so much cleavage. Being as I’m a 34 D, it’s hard to get away from it, but I still need a new bra to lock down the goods!
I love Moving Comfort but do agree with you about the straps. They are a bit heavy duty. I’m a big fan of Victoria’s Secret too.
Random question – is a wildcat the same as a wild cat that we’d take into our home and domesticate or is it a different species? Sorry, science nerd here. 😀
Also, celery is so very gross. When people tell me that they love celery, I can’t help but think that they are totally joking. Haha.
Actually, I don’t wear sports bras. I like the Nike dryfit tanks with the built-in bra.
Love the Champion bra! I keep meaning to mention two places that you and the Pilot HAVE to go to when you move to San Diego. There are so many cool restaurants in San Diego but these two are must-visits. They are both in Point Loma. My husband and I lived there for a year and sometimes I consider taking a spontaneous flight back there just for these two spots.
1. The Pearl Hotel. To say that we love this place is the understatement of the week.
http://www.thepearlsd.com/ Everything = awesome.
2. Umi Sushi. http://umisushisandiego.com/ Delicious, easy going, reasonably priced, relaxing.
Have a great day.
I love the Lululemon ta ta tamer! great for larger chests, and high impact!
Recently there was a sale on Moving Comfort bras but they didn’t have a Juno in my size so I got the rebound instead and it works pretty well. The cups aren’t as stiff and solid as the juno which I like. But it still has the release at the straps for easy breastfeeding, if you have a kid.
I’m a Moving Comfort fan. I had a Lulu Ta Ta Tamer and never really thought it fit right. It was okay and it did hold the girls in but never felt right. Lo and behold, I was wearing the wrong size when I finally measured myself accurately. Too bad as I was wearing the largest size already.
So now I wear Moving Comfort’s Maia bra and LOVE it. 34E here. The girls do bounce a bit but I don’t notice like the previous bras.
I do need to road trip to Athleta for a new one that is not for high impact. Would like something less restrictive when I’m strength training and riding bike.
I don’t like celery either… I pretty much use it in place of a spoon for sun butter or ranch dressing!
I LOVED this post – it was totally all over the place! LOL!!!
I love Handful bras and the faux Lululemon bras from Marshall’s. I don’t need a lot of support so it doesn’t matter.
I’m a “small” 34C and love the Lululemon Energy bra and the Victoria’s Secret VSX “Standout” bra. Both are amazingly supportive, comfortable, and look cute!
Have you checked out imnotheretomakefriends.com? It’s a blog written by a guy and dedicated to recapping this season of The Bachelor, and it is hilarious! I can’t bring myself to care about this season either, but I find myself continuing to watch the show so I can try to predict what the blog will make fun of that week. It’s seriously 100 times more entertaining than the show itself!
Moving Comfort makes great sports bras! I’m super small chested so don’t need much support but also don’t enjoy overly padded bras. My most recent find that I’m loving is a Lorna Jane bra. Cute and comfortable!
As a girl who needs good support, I actually love the maximum support bras from VS. I love them more than Lulu lemon’s Ta-Ta Tamer. Honestly the girls never move!
I love my Flow Y bras! After nursing for a year, that was all I ever needed haha. Now that I’m pregnant again, I need to diversify. I like the All Sport bra from lulu, but it was discontinued sadly. I have a few VSX bras and love that I don’t get uniboob. That will probably be the route I go for my next round of athletic bra shopping.
Chickens!! I have been wanting chickens for YEARS. Now if we could just stop moving. We finally move out of the apartment this summer and on my short list of deal-breakers for the house is that it must be in a zone that allows chickens. I’m starting with tomatoes this month though, to make sure I can keep those alive first. 😉 We go through so many eggs its ridiculous. I think it would be cool for our kids to grow up getting their food from the backyard garden and coop too!
Next time add some raisins or chopped dried fruit to the celery and AB combo! Epically delicious!
I have addiction to under armor so all if my sports bras come from there, I like the ones I have but there sizing throws me off, I’m a smaller C cup but the bra size UA says I should buy is way to big so I end up going a size or two smaller every time I buy one.
I went as far as pricing chicken coop designs on etsy and a few other websites but my HOA doesn’t allow them. I’m going to try tomatoes and a few other vegetables I can grow in planters this year, maybe at the next house I can have chickens….
It’s definitely time for me to update the sports bra stash. My boobs are the very first to go when I start an exercise/healthy eating program (causing my husband to cry alone in a corner somewhere).
haha this made me LOL
Hilarious!!
I guess I haven’t been checking your blog enough because somehow I missed that you are moving to California! That is SO exciting! Where at and when? You are just going to LOVE it and so will Liv! So many things to do and beautiful places to see! No wildcats that I am aware of though…
So grateful for this topic because I’m always looking for a new one! I’ve had the most luck with the Champion brand.
I’ve never had a problem with being well-endowed… because I’m not… but just yesterday I heard the sales associate at the Nike outlet I was shopping at tell a customer about her favorite bra shop for those who need it: biggerbras.com. Apparently it’s amazing!
I am a target or old navy gal for sports bras. I could probably get away with nothing except for a few days a month, if you know what I mean….but without much up top at least they won’t get saggy when I’m older, right?!?
I’m a little big on the bigger chested size but not big enough that a lot of the bras made for that specific body type work for me; honestly, I’m still kind of on the hunt to find the perfect one. I completely agree, because I have had workout bras ruin a workout for!
I am so picky about sports bras! Hard to find a good one.