Janji Women's Groundwork Ascend Bra Review

Updated: July 14, 2022
Written by Caroline

Structured support with a phone pocket

Likes

Dislikes

What's New

The Bottom Line

Our reviewers enjoyed the phone pocket and appreciated that they could also use this bra as a functional, stand-alone running top. While the bra's thicker material and highly-compressive fit may be too structured for some, those with larger cup sizes will appreciate the bounce-free support and added coverage this bra offers. Overall, the Janji Ascend Bra is recommended for ladies who want a highly supportive sports bra with a secure, locked-down hold.

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Our In-Depth Look

Features & Style

Linda: "This bra has a back phone pocket, which is my favourite feature in a run bra. I also liked the positioning of the bra's straps (a bit closer to my neck) and the higher neck design, which was a win for me."

Risa: "The phone pocket was definitely a nifty feature to have. This bra also has removable cups, which is a pro or con depending on your personal preference. I'm not the biggest fan of the aesthetic style of this bra, but it is very functional and supportive."

Comfort & Fit

Linda: "The Groundwork Ascend Bra fits great and provides a secure hold. I wore my usual medium, and it ran true to size. The bra delivered high-impact support and held me in place, which suited my cup size, and I had a great range of motion during my workouts."

Risa: "This bra is highly compressive, which made it a bit tricky to pull on over my head. It fits true to size, but the amount of material feels excessive, and I wasn't a fan of the fabric."

Quality & Value

Linda: "The bra appears to be constructed very well, and I don't have any concerns putting it through its paces."

Risa: "This is a quality high-impact sports bra that some women will love. If you are looking for a lot of support and a bra that can function as a top on its own, the Groundwork Ascend could be a great fit for you. If you don't need as much support or like more of a comfy, barely-there feel from your sports bra, I would go in a different direction."

Individual Thoughts

Reviewer Picture

LindaOverall Score: 8/10

This bra will definitely be in my regular rotation! I need high-impact support due to my cup size, and the Janji Groundwork Ascend Bra did not let me down. At first glance, I was concerned the construction of this bra was going to be too much since it has more coverage and material than a standard sports bra. However, once on, the extra coverage it provided was the perfect cropped tank length that I could pair with high-rise shorts for working out on hot summer days in ATL. The bra held me tight and was comfortable throughout my run, and I liked having a phone pocket. The only issue was the thickness of the material, which remained damp and retained moisture. It didn't cause me any discomfort, but it was not very quick drying compared to other run bras.

RisaOverall Score: 7/10

The Groundwork Ascend Bra is definitely supportive enough for high-intensity exercise, including running. This bra offers plenty of coverage, and I found it comfortable on its own as a stand-alone top. I liked having the phone pocket, especially on hot days when heading out in a sports bra and shorts. There were just some design features about this bra that didn't suit me. The bra ran warm, and I felt there was more fabric than was necessary or comfortable, especially when worn under a running top. The material isn't scratchy, but it isn't super soft compared to other sports bras, and the style and appearance of the prominent seams and colourways have that competitive swimsuit vibe. I prefer Janji's Long Bra for its softer material, easier wear, and its perfect amount of support and stretch.