How tight should a sports bra be?

Snug but not restrictive. You should be able to fit two fingers under the band and breathe fully, and the band should not ride up when you move.

What support level do I need for running?

Running usually calls for high support. Yoga and Pilates suit light support, and strength training, padel and tennis suit medium support.

What sizes does the FLO Contrast Sports Bra come in?

It comes in XS to XL, in Navy, Black, White and Maroon. Use the size guide on the product page to find your size.

How often should I replace my sports bra?

Replace it when the band feels loose, the fabric loses stretch or you feel less supported than before.

How to Choose a Sports Bra: Support, Fit and Fabric Guide

A good sports bra is the piece you notice least. It stays put, feels secure and lets you focus on the session instead of adjusting straps. A poor one does the opposite. This guide walks through how to choose a sports bra by thinking about three things: support, fit and fabric.

Step 1: Match support to your activity

Sports bras are usually grouped into three support levels. The right one depends on what you do most, and how much movement feels comfortable for your body.

Light support: yoga, Pilates, stretching, walking and everyday wear.
Medium support: strength training, cycling, barre, padel and tennis.
High support: running, HIIT, dance cardio and anything with lots of jumping.

Many people own two or three bras for different days. If you mostly do studio classes and strength work, a medium-support bra covers a lot of ground.

Step 2: Get the fit right

Even the right support level will not work if the fit is off. Here is how a sports bra should feel:

The band

The band does most of the work. It should sit level around your ribcage and feel snug but not tight. You should be able to slide two fingers under it, but no more. If it rides up at the back, it is too loose.

The straps

Straps should stay in place without digging in. If they leave deep red marks, the band may be too loose and the straps are taking the load. Racerback and crossback styles spread the weight and tend to stay put during fast movement.

The coverage

There should be no spilling over the top or sides, and no gaping at the neckline when you lean forward.

Step 3: Do the movement test

Before you cut any tags, try these at home:

Jump on the spot ten times. You should feel supported and secure.
Raise both arms overhead. The band should stay where it is.
Bend forward and twist. Nothing should gape or shift.
Take a few deep breaths. You should be able to breathe fully.

Our returns window is 15 days from delivery for unworn, unwashed pieces with tags attached, so you have time to try on carefully. See Shipping & Returns for the details.

Step 4: Look at the fabric

Sports bras are worn close to the skin and often in heat, so fabric matters. Look for stretch that recovers well, fabric that dries quickly and a smooth finish that does not rub.

Our sports bras are made in our performance core, a nylon-spandex blend with four-way stretch that is quick-drying. Cotton-heavy bras feel soft at first but hold sweat and can get heavy and lose shape, which is worth knowing in Indian summers.

Finding your size

Every brand sizes differently, so do not assume your usual size. Measure your underbust and fullest bust with a soft tape, then compare with the size guide on the product page. FLO sports bras come in XS to XL. If you are between sizes, size down for more compression and up for a more relaxed feel.

The Contrast Sports Bra

Our Contrast Sports Bra is a clean, everyday sports bra with contrast detailing, designed to work across studio classes, strength sessions and the rest of the day. It comes in four colours: Navy, Black, White and Maroon.

It pairs with the matching Contrast Stripe Legging, and both come together as the Contrast Set. Pick one colour for a co-ord, or mix them.

Common sports bra mistakes

Most fit problems come from a few simple habits. Watch out for these:

Choosing by cup size alone. The band matters more, so start there.
Wearing a stretched-out favourite long after it stopped supporting you.
Using one bra for everything, from yoga to a 10 km run.
Picking a size up for comfort when the real issue is the style or support level.
Ignoring rubbing. Chafing along the band or under the arms means the fit or the fabric is wrong for you.

Sports bras and Indian weather

Heat and humidity change how a sports bra feels across a day. In a Delhi summer or a Mumbai monsoon, a bra that feels fine at 7am can feel damp and heavy by noon. Quick-drying fabric helps most here. Lighter colours like white feel cooler for outdoor sessions, while darker colours like navy, black and maroon hide sweat better if you plan to wear your bra under a jacket into the rest of the day.

If you train twice a day or sweat a lot, keep two bras in rotation. It gives each one time to dry fully and recover its stretch, which helps it last longer too.

When to replace a sports bra

Sports bras work hard. Signs it is time for a new one:

The band feels loose even on the tightest setting, or rides up.
The fabric has lost its stretch or looks thin.
You feel less supported than you used to.
Your body has changed, which is normal and worth re-measuring for.

Caring for it well helps it last. Wash cold, skip softener and dry flat in the shade. Our activewear care guide has the full routine.

The short version

Choose support for your main activity, fit the band first, test it by moving, and pick fabric that dries quickly. Then forget about it and get on with your session.