Whether you're well-endowed or not, exercising without a proper sports bra can be uncomfortable and even painful at times—one study showed that breast pain is reported by 70 percent of women during exercise.  Not to mention, many sports bras work to hold your breasts in place by simply squishing them down, creating a pancake boob effect that's less than flattering and potentially not effective. But not all bras are created equal—and there's some studies to prove it.

Freya Active just released the results of a new research study on sports bras, conducted with the  University of Portsmouth. “Breast strain may occur during exercise when the breast is not supported correctly and there is tension on the ligaments and skin of the breast," says Dr. Joanna Scurr, a specialist in breast health from the University of Portsmouth. "Over time this may lead to a stretching of the breasts natural support, which could lead to permanent breast damage.” All I heard was permanent breast damage and stretching—both of which are not cool in my books. But the study found that their new bra could reduce pain by 9 percent, reduce strain in the inner region of the breast to 3 percent, and reduce overall breast movement. Um, sign me up! But what you really want to know is, does it work? I wore the bra on a long run this past weekend. Not only did it give me support, it also gave the girls some structure instead of simply mushing them down like other sports bras. A good quality sports bra is truly hard to find. Most of the ones I've tried would be perfect for yoga but if there's any jumping or running, they just won't cut it. What should you look for in a sports bra? This bra had moulded cups to actually protect your breasts from movement. It also had an underwire for added support and padded, adjustable straps so it can become a racerback. Test-drive the bra of your choice in the store to see how much your breasts move. If you're super active consider buying a new sports bra every six months and hand wash the ones you own to help them maintain their elasticity. Freya Active’s new bra comes insizes from a 34B to 36H cup, $92and available at Ce Soir Fine Lingerie, Essentials Lingerie , Fashion Foundations, Forever Yours Lingerie, Just For You Fine Lingerie, and Victoria’s Attic. For more interesting facts about your breasts, read our story here.