Of all the things an active woman could want in a sports bra, the main thing we need is something that provides decent support. A bra that won’t leave your breasts bouncing all over, won’t have you spilling out, and won’t dig into your skin. But in an attempt to find the best heavy-duty sports bra (because a gal can’t wear just any sports bra for Zumba class), many of us end up purchasing ones that are all about holding us in place, but not about comfort and breathability. That’s how we end up with uniboob, bra bulges that don’t look so hot through our tops, and a bra left sopping wet at the end of our workout because it was doing more trapping than supporting. But the good news is that you have a pretty awesome option available on the market.
The Sportee sports bra by Shapeez is sure to make all the difference for your workout of choice. Not only does it provide great maximum support, minimizing bounce, but the way that it’s constructed also does away with uniboob. The best part of the bra to me was the long breathable mesh back. Because Shapeez is known for its back smoothing bras and shapewear, they integrated the technology used on their everyday bra and body shaper options into their Sportee. The results? A sports bra that you can barely see through your shirt. One that doesn’t dig into your skin. And thanks to the mesh, during a workout, you honestly can’t even really feel anything back there.
I used the bra twice for review purposes: Once during a six-mile run, another time for that CrossFit class I told you about. We’re talking about extensive cardio vs. intense strength training. Whether I was trying to keep a steady pace on the parkway during my run or jumping up on wooden boxes, I was good. There was absolutely zero movement going on in terms of the Sportee.
The only setbacks I would note include the struggle it can be to pull this baby off after a workout. Without any hooks or zippers in the front or back, you have to literally pull the Sportee up and over your head, and when you’re sweaty, that’s difficult. The first go-round, I had a really hard time to be completely honest. But I will say, the second time around, with a little more finesse, I was able to pull it down, and then up over my head in less than 20 seconds. The other issue I would also be up front about is the fact that this bra, in my opinion, is better suited for workout tees and tanks that have a higher neckline. I initially wore it with a cotton Reebok tank that had a lower neckline, and during CrossFit, while swinging kettlebells, I noticed that with my arms to the side and the constant up and down motion I was doing, by the end of those reps, the entire front of the bra had eased its way out of my shirt. Yikes! Thankfully, it was ladies’ night (a.k.a., women only) at the gym.
But aside from those minor issues, I think the Sportee is a great addition to the drawer of any woman looking for comfort, support, and both minimized bounce and bulge while working out. And with the simple black and white color, it works with just about any colored top you wear with it. If you wear a 33 or 34 A, B, C, D, DD or DDD, you would fit a small (trust me, the molded cups will hold in all those letters). If you are between a 35 and 37, you need a medium. If you are 38 through 40, you will need a large. And for those with a 41 to 43-inch band, you need an XL. A Sportee is available through the Shapeez website and sells for $79, but it’s definitely worth the price for the comfort.
