How to choose the right sports bra
A regular bra, as everyone knows, is designed for everyday activities with a very low intensity level. Wearing a regular bra during exercise is therefore known by many women to be completely hopeless and, not least, uncomfortable. Therefore, the sports bra is important during every workout, but what should you actually look for when searching for the perfect sports bra?
Choosing a sports bra can sometimes be problematic; breasts grow, sag, and change over time, and it can be uncomfortable if the sports bra does not provide the support you need. Therefore, at Famme, we have created a guide for you who are unsure what to look for when buying a new sports bra. If you want to take a look at Famme's sports bras, you can check out Famme's sports bra collection on our website,
In this post you will find:
- Low support training bra
- Medium support training bra
- High support training bra
- Things to remember when buying a sports bra
- Size guide
- Questions and answers
Low support training bra
Low support is not an optimal training bra for everyone. If you are on the larger side of breast size, we recommend choosing something with higher support regardless of workout intensity. A low support sports bra is best suited for low-intensity training and/or women/girls with smaller breasts. These bras are made of soft material and focus on flexibility and comfort; they usually have thinner straps and are sold without band adjustment.
- Suitable for types of training such as yoga, pilates, brisk walking, golf, etc.
We recommend checking out bras with low support: such as Peachy Scrunch Sports Bra or Lunge Sports Bra.
Lunge Sports Bra fits well under clothes and feels comfortable all day long.
Medium support training bra
Medium support focuses more on support and moisture while still being comfortable; here you can find slightly wider straps, and some of them usually have band adjustment. A bra with medium support is best suited for medium intensity training or high-intensity training that does not involve a lot of jumping.
- Medium support is suitable for strength training, skiing, cycling, rowing, and core training
We recommend taking a look at bras with medium support, such as Extended Sports Bra or Power Seamless Sports Bra
Extended Sports Bra also works excellently as a crop top.
High support training bra
A high support sports bra is intended for high-intensity training. These bras primarily focus on providing extra support and good moisture management; they should fit snugly on the body, be a bit tight, have wide straps, and padding. They are therefore designed to provide comfort where the breasts do not get in the way or cause pain during the workout.
- They are often focused on training such as running, CrossFit, and HIIT when buying a high support sports bra, but they are also perfect if you have large breasts that need more support regardless of workout intensity.
We have a good selection of sports bras with good support and comfort for high-intensity training, including Softy Sports Bra or Elevate Crop Top
Both these options can be used either as a bra or a crop top.
Things to remember when buying a sports bra
- Don’t buy a bra that is too small! It should fit snugly, but you must also be able to breathe!
- Use your regular bra measurements as guidelines and check out our size guide for extra help!
- Just because you have smaller breasts, it does not mean you can avoid wearing sports bras and the unwanted effects. Training without the right equipment can eventually result in sagging breasts.
- No stress if you didn’t buy the right sports bra according to the different types of training. You still need different types of bras! Besides, you never know until you try yourself!
Size guide
It can be difficult to know which size to choose if you have not bought a sports bra before, or if your size has changed. Therefore, we have a size guide on our pages that you can find here!
Questions and answers
There are many things girls and women wonder about when it comes to buying a sports bra, and it is always good to have some knowledge before investing in anything. We have gathered the most common questions about sports bras and answers! Read on for our best tips, and maybe you’ll find answers to questions you have.
1. Why do sports bras exist?
Bras have been invented and reinvented since antiquity, but sports bras are quite new, more precisely, from 1977. It was invented by an American woman who could not run because of the pain she experienced in her breasts. Since then, the sports bra has been one of the most important garments for women regarding training because it provides comfort and helps women avoid pain.
2. Why should I wear a sports bra when I exercise?
When we exercise, we move our bodies and implicitly our breasts more than when performing daily tasks. Without the right sports bra, you may experience discomfort or pain. What happens then is most likely that we adjust our posture to avoid pain, which in turn can lead to back pain. To avoid unnecessary pain, you should wear a sports bra with good support.
3. What types of bras exist, and how should I choose the right one for me?
There are two main types of sports bras:
- Compression bra: These bras usually come in pullover styles without built-in cups (here you can find an example)
- Encapsulation bra: These are training bras for high-intensity training with built-in padding, also suitable for women with large breasts even if they don't train – they offer a lot of support (here you can find an example)
You should choose a training bra depending on the type of activity you intend to do.
4. How should my sports bra fit?
Training bras are designed to hold the breasts in place while you move, so you should get more support than from a regular bra, but you must be able to breathe. Remember, you do not need to buy a smaller cup size to hold the breasts in place because the sports bra is meant to do that regardless of breast size. A tip for women who struggle to find support is to buy a sports bra with padding.
Tip: Check out our Bra Size Guide if you wonder how to find or measure bra size.
5. What other features are important when choosing a sports bra?
In addition to support and reducing the high strain from various sports, one of the most important properties is what the fabric is made of. It is wise to stick to moisture-wicking materials that do not absorb sweat. This is important to remember when looking for sportswear.
6. Can you wear a sports bra every day?
Sportswear has become more popular in recent years, both because more people are exercising and because we have been through a pandemic; but there are some things you should remember:
- Sports bras tend to be too tight – and that is why they are perfect for training; but if you wear one for a long time without taking it off or giving your body a break, it can weaken the back muscles, which in turn can cause (among other things) shoulder pain.
- In addition, wearing a sports bra all day can cause skin problems such as rashes, skin irritation, and in severe cases even fungal infections.
So we recommend wearing the right sportswear when you train, but in general, it is best not to wear tight clothes day and night.
7. Does a sports bra shrink breasts?
This is usually a misunderstanding among our younger audience. Growth of the entire body is not affected by what we wear but by hormones, training, and diet (and by that, we mean what you eat). It is recommended that you find the right size for both comfort and support. So no, the sports bra will not affect the size of your breasts.
8. I have large breasts, should I wear 2 sports bras?
You don’t need to! If you don’t get the support you need, just find a bra with good support that fits you! There are several types of sports bras. Women with large breasts can use what we call encapsulation sports bras for high-intensity training, even if you do activities like yoga or pilates. If you don’t like this look and want to try something else, then we recommend you take a look at our training top with built-in bra – Power Seamless Top.
9. How should I wash my sports bras?
Ideally, you should wash sports bras after each use, especially if you live in a warm climate or usually sweat a lot. Frequent washing will help eliminate bacteria transferred from the body to the clothes, remove odors, and extend the bra’s lifespan. Do not put it in the dryer, as it will ruin the elasticity and fabric of the bra; over time, the bra will lose its support.
10. How many sports bras should I own?
You should own a sports bra for every day you train. If you train twice a week, you should have two in rotation. If you train four to five times a week, try to have at least four in rotation so you have time to wash them after each use.