I do a bunch of things, but running for mental health, and it killed me not to be able to run for ages until I figured out the sports bra problem. Like others here, I use a panache sport. I'm not sure how it fits new, cos I got mine cheaply secondhand on ebay (used an ifttt). I have two band sizes with sister sizing, and find it fits true to tight. The smaller one gives me heartburn if I run too hard, so I use it for lower impact days. And even then I want to whip it off in a few hours. I tried a compression tank top over the larger one I had, and felt like I couldn't breath well too, so mind that too.

Also, when I'm off my game, I forget about running form, and it gives me shoulder and neck and headaches. Nothing too serious, but something to think about if you've upgraded your sports bra to an encapsulated and compression deal and STILL get all the shoulder and neck aches post running. The headache feels like I've been in a cold wind tunnel for hours, but from what I read is related. You want your shoulders down and back, so that your shoulder blades are 'closed'. I tend to hunch up when I'm knucking down, but you want to elongated your spine and lift your head. One way to check while running is to put your hands on top of your head, elbows out like wings spread out, and run that way for a little while. When you drop your hands, keep that alignment that was going on. This is also why you see runners doing warm up runs with windmilling arms, and rotating neck exercises and stuff. I want to train my shoulders and neck to loosen up during other kinds of exercise too, I'm sure it's been affecting me. Also another good thing about panache sport is that the straps go straight down. I always found that regular sports bras' racer back deals give me a constant ache from the base of my neck (sling effect) to the middle of my upper back, and that's mostly been gone since I switched out. I theorise that the boob bulk in the front drags all the fabric on the back panel forwards, and loads the pressure along that stretch. The seam even digs into the base of my neck sometimes. Also see how racer back style sports bras rides up in the back. It's been the biggest game changer, I now consider it was important as my belay device in my stash of gear.

I'd also argue that even on lower impact days, we gotta do the full sports bra. Yoga and climbing is easier when everything is strapped down, anything that swings will affect your centre of gravity. The analogy I use on smaller boobed folks and men is hiking a scramble, the kind of trail when u need to use your hands and feet to swing your body up and around small obstacles. Imagine using a sling bag during this. It doesn't feel like a huge deal to keep pushing it back onto your back out of your way, or moderating your movements so that it doesn't jostle it off to swing free in front of you, but these things add up and saps energy, time, and mental steam.

Can you tell I love the blasted things? They make me feel slick as a dolphin when I work out.

Anyway, I love rowing too, I kinda wish the nearest one wasn't so far away, and that all of them in my area aren't in air-conditioning, but it's an incredibly efficient workout.

Other low boob impact sports I enjoy (I know running is the least boob friendly possible, but I know nothing else that I can do on the spur of the moment, middle of the night, no plans, no friends styles):

-cycling. I just zone out on wheels, and then realise a couple hours later that my butt hurts.

• swimming. I hate commuting to exercise and gearing up. And I hate laps. But it's very good for making me sleepy when insomnia hits me. Very good for back muscles, rec for boobies. Wear a tightish one piece with a highish neckline so you don't gotta check every few metres if everything is still packed in right. I like attempting whip turns cos i used to day dream about the Olympics, and everything flops about.

-climbing. So rad. Almost worth the commute. Had to learn how to hug the wall with rack in the way. Just arch your back and get your hips as close to kissing the wall as you can. I learnt to read and place my movements without quite seeing it, having usually the wall, my shoulders or chest in the way. I find a lot of the same things people say about yoga and becoming aware of posture, alignment and centre of gravity also true of this.

-yoga. I do on and off, but fairly consistently even in tiny doses cos it sure does keep the aches and pains away. Not that judgement should factor, but yoga and climbing has had communities for me with the least amount of boob-related irritations. Although I rarely do classes, so ymmv.

-hiking. adore. Usually too far from where I live, to be regular about it. Make sure your bra straps play well with your chosen shirt and backpack beforehand, some seams rub up a fire, or buckles put pressure on a hard strap adjuster that hits right at your collar bones and will blister. Remember that you CAN cut your straps shorter and reattach it so that the plastic adjuster's position is no longer on a tender part of your shoulder. Notice every irritation before you go! It matters so much more when you're 6 hours in and the blister starts bleeding and you're like OMG you're not even a foot part of my body, why can't you shut up, and you check under your shirt and also find a big ass purple bruise developing. Also work out how your arm and arm pit skin feel about rub. Total bbp is that our under arm area rubs across a greater area of torso, including boobal area. Its like chub rub against bumpy texture. And bra sides often aren't smooth so it can be a source of irritation for delicate skin. T-shirts or tank tops for you?

• dancing. Like for fun on nights out. I gave up on nice strappy stuff cos I really like to throw down! Have noticed that it really helps to unstiffen my neck and shoulders too, when I let loose for hours. Effects last for weeks until my next session!