10 ways you can tell if it’s time to throw out your old sports bra

Shopping for a good sports bra can often feel like an impossible task. There’s just so many options and choices available – thick straps, thin straps, compression, moisture wicking fabric – the list goes on. But while there’s many cute looking sports bras out there, cute just doesn’t cut it when it comes to choosing a good sports bra. Wearing the wrong size or type of sports bra when you work out can lead to neck and back pain, breast pain and damage to the ligaments inside the breast. This can then lead to saggy breasts and stretch marks.

Is looking super cute at the gym in your sports bra worth all that? That’s why it’s important you take your time when looking for a sports bra and find one that’s not only supportive but fits you perfectly. So before you head out to look for your new sports bra, take a look at our list of the 10 ways you can tell if it’s time to throw out your old bra and what to look for in your new one.

If your sports bra is more than six months old, it’s time to look for a new one. Sports bras, like all other bras, stretch out over time – especially when you workout often in them. Replace your sports bra every six to eight months, depending on how often you wear it and how well you’ve been taking care of it.

If the band on your sports bra rides up in the back or if you’re using the tightest hook possible, it’s time to replace it. This could be a sign that your sports bra is either too big for you or has stretched out to the point where it is no longer supporting you properly. You might think that the straps do all the work, but it’s really the band that supports you and your breasts as you workout that does it. When shopping for a new sports bra, look for a band that fits snuggly, but not painfully.

If the straps dig into your skin and cause pain, it’s because the sports bra isn’t providing you with the support you need. When shopping for your new bra, look for one with straps that sit comfortably on the skin.

If you’re wearing the same bra when you run and when you go to yoga, you won’t have enough support for your high impact activities. High impact activities like running need a sports bra that’s supportive – think cushioned straps, molded cups and underwire. Lower impact activities like yoga can handle a light, seamless sports bra that provides minimal support.

If you didn’t spend that much on your sports bra, there’s a good chance it won’t last long at all. Inexpensive bras also tend to be less comfortable, less supportive and less flattering than a pricier, better quality bra. When it comes to sports bras the old adage really is true – you do get what you pay for.

6. It’s hard to take off

If you have a hard time taking your sports bra off, there’s a good chance it doesn’t fit you properly. A sports bra should come off as easily as it goes on. If it’s a struggle to take off when you’re trying it on, think about how hard it will be to take it off once you’re all sweaty after a good gym session.

7. Your breasts hurt

A bra that isn’t providing enough support will cause your breasts to jiggle as you work out. If your breasts hurt after you work out, it’s time to get rid of the bra. Look for one that minimizes the jiggle as you wear it. Jump around as you’re trying on bras to make sure there is no jiggle.

8. You have spillage

If your breasts are spilling out of the top of your bra, the cups are too small for you. Make sure you’re finding a bra that holds everything in for a perfect fit. Take a look at our fitting tips to help you decipher the best bra size for you.

9. It’s made of cotton

A cotton sports bra just won’t cut it for most activities. Technical fabrics are designed to support your breasts and wick away moisture as you workout. Cotton, on the other hand, stretches when wet and tends to soak up the sweat. When looking for a new sports bra, look for one made of sweat-wicking fabric with air holes for maximum breathability.

10. Your breasts go flying

If you’re finding that your breasts are flying when you do any sort of jump or high impact activity, it’s time to ditch the bra. Before you decide on your next sports bra, make sure you try it out first – do some jumping jacks, etc. If you find your breasts are flying or coming out of the bra, then move on to the next one.

Whether you’re a G cup or an A cup, it’s important that your sports bra fits you properly and provides you with the right amount of support, no matter what activity you’re doing. Knowing what to look for (and what not to look for) in a sports bra can make all the difference in your workout. Because really, who wants to have spillage in the middle of your aerobics class at the gym? So take a look at your sports bra inventory and throw any away that fall under one or more of the categories above. And when you’re ready to look for a new sports bra, look no further than our range of sports bras for small tatas to big busts.