Lululemon has come out with quite a few appealing sports bras lately. For a while, it felt like they were only releasing cute bras for smaller cup sizes, but I’ve been happy to see more options at lulu for mid-range cup sizes and even a few additions for larger cup sizes as well. Most recently, the time to sweat bra caught my eye. I fell in love with it and have gone back for multiple colors and will be watching for more. Here’s why I love it.
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The double keyhole back is simple but pretty and effective. Strappy styles often aren’t sturdy enough for anything but smaller cup sizes. These straps, by comparison, are quite sturdy. They’re wide, which offers support while distributing the load across your shoulders. No digging in here.
The coverage in front is slightly higher than the energy bra. The neckline is perfect on me: high enough that it doesn’t cut in but low enough that I still feel as ventilated as possible. The energy bra can cut in just slightly across the neckline. Another advantage it has over the energy bra: no more fussing with flipped over straps!
Some styles of lulu bras are cut larger in the armholes, which can create side spillover. No such issues here! It covers everything just right for me. If you’d like to compare this post’s photos of the time to sweat bra versus the run on bra or run: stuff your bra, you can refer to this post. You can also compare this to the cut and coverage of the free to be serene bra via the photos in this post.
The support is slightly higher than the energy bra as well. It’s in the same neighborhood as lulu’s run: stuff your bra that I also love. Proper band fit is key to a supportive bra, and this band is wide enough to provide some really solid structure to the bra. Overall, it’s supportive enough for me to be comfortable during high impact activities like my long runs. I’ve worn this bra for multiple workouts and I’m very happy with how it performs. Depending on your cup size, it will range from medium to high impact.
I purchased this bra in a size 2, my normal lululemon size (I wear 30DD in regular bras). In my opinion, it runs true to size versus the energy bra but runs a little smaller than the free to be serene bra.
I ordered this bra in the hinshu alpine print, as pictured, as well as eucalyptus and wee are from space nimbus battleship. For some reason, the wee space nimbus bra fit slightly larger than the other two. I confirmed this by laying it flat against my other 2 bras and it was in fact cut just slightly larger. I’m unsure if this is true for all bras in that color or if I just got a weird one. Whatever the case, I thought I would mention it in case it is consistent for all bras in that color.
Many of my sports bras are quickly approaching the end of their useful life, and I’m happy I found a solid alternative. If the fit and function sounds like it would suit you, I’d definitely recommend giving it a shot.
Outfit details
Lululemon time to sweat bra – newest colors and basics
Pattern worn here: hinshu alpine white multi
Also wearing:
Lululemon speed up shorts – hinshu alpine white multi
Garmin Fenix 5s
Brooks PureCadence 6 in evening blue (on sale! review here)
allie says
yay so glad you’re back! You’re my favorite fitness/athletic apparel blogger, and I just love your reviews.
Thank you for this, and my only comment is WOW those new Speed Ups are short. You look so lean and amazing in them, but these photos only reiterate why they didn’t work for me. (I’m a size bigger than you, with “sturdy” thighs, lol)
Would be amazing if the Speeds came back in addition to Speed Ups.
Thanks again for your great blog!
Tasha says
I have this bra too. I ordered in a 4. I am a 32 C or small D. My boobs get a little squished in the middle but not horribly. I could not go down a size or the bra would be too tight. I
Kristine says
Can you do a post on when you think sports bras, shoes, and any other athletic wear should be replaced?
Laura says
I second this! It would be so helpful.
Suzanne | Agent Athletica says
I know I’m late getting back to this comment, but I actually already wrote a post about replacing sports bras here: http://www.agentathletica.com/when-to-replace-sports-bras/ :)
As for other activewear, I pretty much just keep it until it wears out or just doesn’t work anymore (e.g., doesn’t fit, don’t use it).
carrie says
hi suzanne! that bra is super cute! i do not need it at all, but i love reading your reviews anyways :)
i haven’t bought as much activewear lately. i must be at a saturation point.
also, i agree those shorts seem so much shorter than speeds! i mean, geez. you look damn good in that outfit, but it also kinda looks like a sporty swimsuit.
Lauren says
I agree the shorts look really short. Mine are size 6 and i don’t think they look nearly that short. Will have to take a closer look now. Thanks for the review.
Amherstlulu says
So good to see you back blogging! Thank you for your fit review. I have to try on the bra since I am a little tired of energy bra even though I love the fit. I have to check out the speed up short in long and run time short in that pattern.
Kate says
Such a cute bra! You look fab!
Agree with others that the shorts are tiny. Maybe I’m wearing a size considered too big, but I like them looser for comfortable movement.
D says
You convinced me to buy this print! Looks so cute on you.
Annabel says
I love that bra on you so I got two of them in this Green print. It was on MD $39 so I got two! I love it
Thank u
Annabel says
Oh and I’m a distance runner and those shorts are awesome! I used to be a big speed shorts fan and when they switched to speed up, I was so happy. Speed up fit a lot better on my body than speed short. Speeed shorts bunched on my butt