How to Measure Your Nike Sports Bra

For many athletes, sports bras are a crucial part of every workout outfit. This is because a sports bra is one of the most technical clothing items athletes can own, explained Tara Sweeney, a Nike sports bra technical designer.

But the ideal fit comes down to more than just measurements. “Finding the right sports bra comes down to striking a balance between comfort and support for your breast size and firmness, body type and intended activities,” said Sweeney.

For more on finding the right fit, Sweeney shared how to calculate your bra size.

How to Measure Your Nike Sports Bra Size

According to Sweeney, in order to correctly measure yourself for a Nike sports bra, try to wear an unlined, lingerie-style bra that allows for some separation between the breasts.

3 Ways to Tell If Your Sports Bra Fits

To ensure your bra fit is perfect, in the fitting room (or your own home), try this quick, three-step test.

1. Assess the Band’s Tightness

When it comes to functionality, the bottom band of a sports bra is the garment’s MVP, noted Sweeney. To indicate proper fit, see if you can comfortably place two fingers under the band while wearing it. Here are some additional tips:

The bra is likely too big if the band moves up and the cup area feels unsupported and loose when you raise your arms.

The bra is likely too small if the band feels so tight that it’s difficult to take deep breaths and freely move.

2. Check the Straps

The bra might be too big if you constantly feel the need to adjust the straps, or if the straps are sitting far out on your shoulders. It might be too small if the straps are putting pressure on the neck and there is excessive (and visible) cutting or digging in the shoulders.

If the underband stays put when you raise your arms, you’re good to go. Straps should feel secure but not pinching.

More than half of all women have asymmetrical breasts. Adjustable straps are a useful way to customize the fit of a sports bra, but Sweeney advised that tightening them should not be used as a fix for a sports bra that doesn’t fit properly in other areas, such as “the cup being too big or the band being too loose.”

3. Mimic The Activity You Plan to Do In The Bra

A bra should help make you feel more confident and comfortable in your activity or sport. The best way to test for that, said Sweeney, is to duplicate whatever movements you’ll do while wearing it, whether that’s moving through your favorite yoga flow or settling into a deep squat. The way your sports bra fits and moves with you should be as individualized as you are.

Finding the Best Bra Size: Additional Fit Factors to Consider

Although strap and band fit tend to provide the most clear signs that a bra correctly fits, a few other indicators can signal the wrong size, said Sweeney:

A bra that is too small will often:

• Have a neckline and/or underarm area that causes the breast to spill or cut out of the sides of the bra
• Feature a neckline and/or underarm area that sits too low on the body
• Contain a cup area that is too short, which can cause the bottom band to ride up and sit on the bottom of the breast rather than just below the breast tissue

A bra that is too big will often:

• Show excess fabric bunching or gathering throughout the cup area
• Have a neckline and/or underarm area that sits too high, potentially rubbing the neck or underarm and causing chafing
• Not provide any compression or support, or allow for too much breast movement

Find the Right Nike Sports Bra For You

There are three key types of Nike sports bras. Learn more about their features to decide which is appropriate for you.