Which Sports Bra Is Right for You? Guide

The Mama Movement sports bra guide

Choosing a sports bra should not feel like a workout. This guide matches you to the right support level, cup size and style, whether you are running, lifting, swimming, pregnant or nursing.

Designed by a fellow mum, our colourful sports bras have sewn-in padding, adjustable fits and inclusive sizing from XS to 5XL.

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Liberty Hookback Crop high impact sports bra in Rainbow Splatter print

Teal FlexiZip Crop II zip front sports bra

Confetti Jewels Active Swim Crop, an active and swim friendly hybrid sports bra

XS-5XL inclusive sizingA-G cup supportSewn-in paddingRecycled PET fabric3,000+ 5-star reviews

Running & HIIT Nursing Zip front All-day & swim Compare

Quick answer: which sports bra should I choose?

Choose by impact level first, from high to low, then check cup size and nursing access.

Running, HIIT and dance (high): Liberty Hookback Crop or Be Free Hookback Sports Bra (medium to high impact, A-F/G cups).
Strength, pilates and easy on and off (medium): FlexiZip Crop II (medium impact, A-E/F cups).
All-day comfort, yoga and swimming (low): Active Swim Crop, our active and swim friendly hybrid (low to moderate impact, A-E cups).
Pregnancy and nursing: Liberty Hookback Nursing Crop for active days, or Miracle Nursing Crop for gentle all-day comfort (A-F/G and A-F cups).

What impact level do I need in a sports bra?

Impact level describes how much your bust moves during exercise. The more bounce, the more support you need. Use this scale to find your range, then tap a style below.

Higher impactLower impact

Medium to high impactRunning, HIIT, dance, jumping
Liberty Hookback Crop, Be Free Hookback, Liberty Nursing Crop

Medium impactStrength training, pilates, weights
FlexiZip Crop II

Low to moderate impactAll-day comfort, yoga, walking and swimming
Active Swim Crop, Miracle Nursing Crop

I run, jump or do HIITLiberty Hookback Crop or Be Free Hookback Sports Bra. Tap to shop. I need a supportive bra for a bigger bustLiberty and Be Free fit A-F/G cups. Tap to shop. I am pregnant or nursingLiberty Hookback Nursing Crop or Miracle Nursing Crop. Tap to shop. I want easy on and offFlexiZip Crop II with a half zip front. Tap to shop. I swim, or want one bra for pool and gymActive Swim Crop, chlorine and saltwater safe. Tap to shop. I want soft, all-day comfortMiracle Nursing Crop for light to moderate support. Tap to shop.

High impact

Best high impact sports bras for running, HIIT and bigger busts

If there is bounce involved, you want a bra that holds you firmly in place without digging in. These are built for runners and high-intensity movers, and fit A-F/G cups.

Liberty Hookback Crop best selling sports bra in Rainbow Splatter print

Medium to high impact

Liberty Hookback Crop

Our best-selling crop. Maximum support, maximum comfort, and easy to take off after a sweaty workout.

Support

Cup sizesA-F/G

Best forRunning, strength, everyday

SizesXS-5XL

BackAdjustable hooks

Wide straps spread weight evenly, great if you carry tension in your shoulders
Full-coverage cups with signature sewn-in padding
Adjustable back hooks that change as your body does
Sweat-wicking fabric made from recycled PET

Shop Liberty Crops

Shop the Liberty Hookback Crop in:

Rainbow SplatterShop Leaves and Blooms Liberty Hookback Crop

Leaves & BloomsShop Night Polka Liberty Hookback Crop

Night PolkaShop Lucy Leopard Liberty Hookback Crop

Lucy LeopardShop Ellie's Garden Liberty Hookback Crop

Ellie's GardenShop

Be Free Hookback Sports Bra in Amazon print

Be Free Hookback Sports Bra cross-back design

Medium to high impact

Be Free Hookback Sports Bra

Effortless to wear and remove, without compromising on support. Built for runs and HIIT classes.

Support

Cup sizesA-F/G

Best forRunning, HIIT, cardio

SizesXS-5XL

BackCross-back with hooks

Interwoven cross-back design for secure support
Adjustable back hooks, easy on and off
Thick, comfortable shoulder straps
Signature sewn-in padding that never shifts

Shop Be Free Crops

Shop the Be Free Hookback Sports Bra in:

AmazonShop Coastal Wildflowers Be Free Hookback Sports Bra

Coastal WildflowersShop Neon Flow Be Free Hookback Sports Bra

Neon FlowShop

Liberty Hookback Nursing Crop in Coastal Wildflowers print

Model wearing the Liberty Hookback Nursing Crop

Nursing + medium to high impact

Liberty Hookback Nursing Crop

The best nursing sports bra for training. All the support of the original Liberty, plus discreet one-handed nursing clips, for active breastfeeding mums who need extra support.

Support

Cup sizesA-F/G

Best forActive nursing, bigger busts

SizesXS-5XL

Nursing accessOne-handed clips

A-frame drop cups for modest coverage while nursing
Wire-free, with an adjustable underband and hookback
Thick straps and signature sewn-in padding
Moisture-wicking fabric made from recycled PET

Shop Nursing Liberty Crops

Shop the Liberty Hookback Nursing Crop in:

Coastal Wildflowers Liberty Hookback Nursing Crop

Coastal WildflowersShop Night Polka Liberty Hookback Nursing Crop

Night PolkaShop She Believed Liberty Hookback Nursing Crop

She BelievedShop Black Liberty Hookback Nursing Crop

BlackShop

Looking for gentler nursing support? See the Miracle Nursing Crop below. The FlexiZip Crop II (front unzip) and Active Swim Crop (stretchy pull-down) are also nursing-friendly.

Medium impact

Best zip front sports bra for strength, pilates and easy on and off

Supportive without the wrestling match. If getting out of a sweaty sports bra is your least favourite part of a workout, start here.

Teal FlexiZip Crop II half zip sports bra

Medium impact

FlexiZip Crop II

A half zip opening, a convertible back and a brushed, super-soft feel. Ideal for postpartum recovery and anyone who finds sports bras tricky to take off.

Support

Cup sizesA-E/F

Best forStrength, pilates, everyday

SizesXS-5XL (varies by print)

Nursing accessFront unzip

Half zip opening that reduces chafing
Convertible back: racerback for more support, open-back for comfort
Adjustable underband and shoulder straps for long or short torsos
Soft, brushed fabric made from recycled PET

Shop FlexiZip Crops

Shop the FlexiZip Crop in:

TealShop

Electric LeopardShop Matilda FlexiZip Crop II

MatildaShop Australian Natives FlexiZip Crop

Australian NativesShop

Low to moderate impact

Best all-day comfort sports bras and active swim hybrids

Soft, easy support for the days you want comfort first: yoga, walks, school drop-off, the beach and the pool. Our Active Swim Crop is a sports bra and swim top in one, and the Miracle Nursing Crop is made for gentle, all-day maternity and postpartum comfort.

Active Swim Crop, an active and swim friendly hybrid sports bra in Confetti Jewels print

Active + swim friendly hybrid

Active Swim Crop

One crop, three lives: sports bra, swim top and all-day comfort. Go from the pool to the playground without changing.

Support

Cup sizesA-E

Best forSwimming, beach, yoga, all-day

SizesXS-5XL

Nursing accessStretchy pull-down

Chlorine-resistant, quick-drying fabric
Double-layered with signature sewn-in padding
Firm supportive band and thick, comfortable straps
Modest coverage with a dipped back

Shop Active Swim Crops

Shop the Active Swim Crop in:

Electric LeopardShop Confetti Jewels Active Swim Crop

Confetti JewelsShop

Miracle Nursing Sports Bra in Floral Fields print

Nursing + all-day comfort

Miracle Nursing Crop

Our softest, most gentle nursing sports bra, made for all-day wear through the ever-changing maternity and postpartum body.

Support

Cup sizesA-F

Best forPregnancy, postpartum, all-day wear

SizesXS-5XL

Nursing accessOne-handed clips

Fully adjustable straps and back
A-frame drop cups for modest coverage while feeding
Wire-free comfort for all-day wear
Convertible back: wear it open for comfort, or clip up for racerback support

Shop Maternity & Nursing

Shop the Miracle Nursing Crop in:

Floral FieldsShop Backyard Treasures Miracle Nursing Crop

Backyard TreasuresShop Ellie's Garden Miracle Nursing Crop

Ellie's GardenShop

Sports bra comparison: support, cup sizes and nursing access

All six styles side by side, from highest to lowest impact, with a shop link for each.

Sports bra	Best for	Support level	Cup sizes	Nursing access	Shop
Liberty Hookback Crop	Running, strength, everyday	Medium to high	A-F/G	No	Shop now
Be Free Hookback Sports Bra	Running, HIIT, cardio	Medium to high	A-F/G	No	Shop now
Liberty Hookback Nursing Crop	Active nursing mums, bigger busts	Medium to high	A-F/G	One-handed clips	Shop now
FlexiZip Crop II	Strength, pilates, easy on and off	Medium	A-E/F	Front unzip	Shop now
Active Swim Crop	Swimming, yoga, beach, all-day comfort	Low to moderate	A-E	Pull-down	Shop now
Miracle Nursing Crop	Pregnancy, postpartum, all-day wear	Light to moderate	A-F	One-handed clips	Shop now

Why is an adjustable sports bra better?

Up to 80% of a sports bra's support is commonly said to come from the underband, not the shoulder straps. That is why so many of our crops have adjustable back hooks: you can fine-tune the fit as your body changes through your cycle, your workouts and your motherhood journey.

Whether your bust feels fuller during your period, you are postpartum and navigating fluctuating milk supply, or you just want a little more breathing room, an adjustable bra makes all the difference. Your body is not the same every day. Your bra should support you through that.

How should a sports bra fit?

Four quick checks to get the fit right. Not sure of your size? Use our Size Guide.

1Check the band. It should feel snug and sit level around your ribcage. If it rides up, size down or tighten the hooks.

2Check the cups. No gaping and no spilling at the top or sides. Full-coverage cups should hold everything comfortably.

3Check the straps. Wide straps should sit comfortably without digging in, with weight spread across your upper body.

4Compare with our models. Every product page lists what our models wear and their usual bra size, so you can compare with your own.

Sports bra FAQs

How do I choose the right sports bra?

Start with your activity. Choose low to moderate impact for yoga, walking and swimming, medium impact for strength training and pilates, and medium to high impact for running, HIIT and dance. Then check cup size (our sports bras fit A-E up to A-F/G depending on the style), how adjustable the band is, and whether you need nursing access.

What is the best sports bra for running?

For running and other high-impact movement, the Liberty Hookback Crop and Be Free Hookback Sports Bra offer medium to high impact support, adjustable back hooks, wide straps and sewn-in padding, and fit A-F/G cups.

What is the best sports bra for a bigger bust?

The Liberty Hookback Crop, Be Free Hookback Sports Bra and Liberty Hookback Nursing Crop fit A-F/G cups and come in sizes XS to 5XL. Their adjustable back hooks let you fine-tune the fit, and the wide straps spread weight across your upper body.

Can I exercise in a nursing sports bra?

Yes. The Liberty Hookback Nursing Crop gives medium to high impact support with one-handed nursing clips and A-frame drop cups. The Miracle Nursing Crop suits low to moderate impact and all-day wear. The FlexiZip Crop II also has a front unzip for feeding.

What is the best sports bra for postpartum?

Comfort and adjustability matter most while your body is changing. The Miracle Nursing Crop and FlexiZip Crop II both have adjustable straps and backs, and are easy to get on and off. Check with your doctor or physio about when to return to exercise.

Can I swim in a sports bra?

Choose the Active Swim Crop for swimming. It is chlorine-resistant and quick-drying, double-layered with sewn-in padding, and fits A-E cups for low to moderate impact activity.

Do you make plus size sports bras?

Yes. Our sports bras come in inclusive sizing from XS to 5XL in most styles, with cup support up to A-F/G.

Do your sports bras have padding?

Yes. Our sports bras feature signature sewn-in padding, so there are no inserts to scrunch, fold or lose in the wash.

What are Mama Movement sports bras made from?

Our sports bras are made from sweat-wicking, breathable fabric made from recycled PET (plastic bottles). The FlexiZip Crop II uses a lightly brushed, super-soft fabric, also made from recycled PET.

Ready to find your perfect fit?

You deserve to feel confident, supported and colourful, no matter what kind of movement you are doing.

Shop all sports bras Shop maternity & nursing

Mama Movement is an Australian activewear and rainwear brand designing colourful, inclusive activewear in sizes XS to 5XL. Last updated October 2026.

Which Sports Bra Is Right for You? Support, Fit and Nursing Guide

Quick answer: which sports bra should I choose?

What impact level do I need in a sports bra?