Who invented the sports bra? Lisa Lindahl, Hinda Miller, and Polly Smith developed the first widely recognized sports bra, called the Jogbra, in 1977. Their design grew from a practical problem: ordinary bras did not provide enough support for running.
The invention was a team effort, not the work of one person. Here’s how the three women created the Jogbra, what came before it, and how sports bras have changed since.
Who invented the sports bra?
Lisa Lindahl, Hinda Miller, and Polly Smith are credited with inventing the Jogbra in 1977. Lindahl was a runner who wanted better support. Miller and Smith were costume designers with the sewing skills to help turn that need into a working garment.
The story began with a suggestion from Lindahl’s sister, who proposed wearing a jockstrap for running. Lindahl and Smith tested the idea by sewing two jockstraps together. The rough prototype offered a clue: support could come from a garment designed to hold the breasts securely, rather than from a regular bra adapted for exercise.
Miller joined the work, and the team refined the early design into a bra made for movement. They named it the Jogbra. The design is often described as the first sports bra, though a more careful distinction is useful: it was the first widely recognized modern sports bra, not proof that no one had ever made supportive clothing for athletic activity before.
Why did the Jogbra matter?
Before the Jogbra, people often exercised in ordinary bras, layered garments, or no bra at all. Those options could be uncomfortable during running and other high-impact activities. A regular bra may lift and shape for everyday wear, but it is not necessarily built to limit breast movement during repeated motion.
The Jogbra treated exercise support as a specific design problem. It used a close fit and a construction intended to reduce movement. That shift mattered because it gave athletes a garment designed around their activity, rather than asking them to make everyday underwear work for sport.
It also helped make sports bras a recognizable product category. As more people took part in running and fitness, demand grew for garments that offered different levels and styles of support. The basic idea—design the bra around movement—still guides sports-bra development.
How the sports bra developed
The Jogbra’s invention was an important milestone, but sports bras did not stop changing in 1977. Designers and manufacturers continued to adjust fabrics, fit, construction, and fastening to suit different bodies and activities.
- Early designs: The first modern models focused on a snug fit and reducing movement during exercise.
- More construction choices: Later designs offered compression, separate cups, or a combination of both.
- More activity-specific features: Bras developed for running, gym workouts, and lower-impact exercise began to differ in support and coverage.
- More fit options: A broader range of sizes, straps, closures, and fabrics gave wearers more ways to find a secure fit.
These changes do not mean every newer bra is automatically better. The right choice depends on your body, the activity, and whether the garment fits well enough to stay supportive without causing pain or restricting comfortable movement.
Sports bra types and what they’re designed to do
Sports bras are commonly grouped by how they support the breasts. These categories can overlap: a single bra may use both compression and encapsulation. Use the table as a starting point, not a substitute for checking the garment’s fit.
| Design | How it supports | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Holds the breasts close to the chest to limit movement. | Lower-impact activities or people who find this close-fitting style comfortable. |
| Encapsulation | Uses separate cups to support each breast individually. | People who prefer distinct cup shaping and separation. |
| Combination | Pairs separate-cup support with a compressive outer layer. | Higher-impact activity or anyone seeking both separation and a secure hold. |
| Front-closure or adjustable | Uses a front fastening or adjustable straps and bands to change the fit. | People who value easier on-and-off access or a more customizable fit. |
A racerback describes the strap layout, not a separate support method. It may help keep straps in place, but the back shape alone does not tell you how supportive the bra will be. Check the overall construction and fit.
How to choose a sports bra that fits
A sports bra should feel secure without making it hard to breathe or move. Support comes from the whole garment working together: the band, cups or front panel, straps, and fabric all affect how it feels in motion.
- Match support to your activity. Running and jumping involve more repeated movement than walking or gentle stretching. Look for a design intended for the impact level of your workout.
- Check the band. The band should sit level around your body and feel firm, not painfully tight. If it rides up, it may not be providing a stable base.
- Check the cups or front panel. Breast tissue should be contained without spilling out or being painfully compressed. Gaping can also signal that the shape or size is not right for you.
- Move before you buy or work out. Raise your arms, twist, and bounce gently. Notice slipping straps, chafing, pinching, or excessive movement.
- Recheck the fit over time. Fabric can stretch with wear and washing. If the band no longer feels secure or the bra causes new discomfort, it may be time to reassess the fit.
A useful point many shoppers miss: a tighter bra is not always a more supportive bra. Excessive tightness can cause rubbing, pressure, or restricted breathing, while a stable band and correctly shaped cups can provide support without painful compression.
Common misconceptions about the first sports bra
Was one person solely responsible?
No. Lindahl brought the running problem and helped drive the project, while Miller and Smith contributed to developing and sewing the design. Crediting all three gives a fuller account than naming only one inventor.
Was the Jogbra made from two jockstraps?
The early prototype was made by sewing two jockstraps together. That was an experimental starting point, not the finished commercial design. The team developed the idea into a garment intended specifically for women exercising.
Did sports bras exist before 1977?
Supportive clothing and undergarments existed before the Jogbra. The 1977 design is best understood as a landmark in the modern sports-bra category. Calling it the first widely recognized modern sports bra is more precise than suggesting that nobody had ever considered athletic breast support.
Does the first sports bra still suit every athlete?
No single design works for everyone or every activity. Body shape, comfort, workout intensity, and personal preference all affect which style is a good fit. The history explains where the category began; it does not dictate what you should wear now.
The short answer to who invented the sports bra is Lisa Lindahl, Hinda Miller, and Polly Smith, whose 1977 Jogbra helped establish the modern category. Their work began with a simple need: make running more comfortable with support designed for movement.
If you’re choosing a sports bra, start with the activity you do most and check the band, coverage, and comfort while moving. A secure fit should support you without pinching or restricting your breathing.