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. That is why a sports bra is important during any workout, but what should you actually look for when searching for the perfect sports bra?
Choosing a sports bra can sometimes be problematic, as breasts grow, sag, and change over time, and it can be uncomfortable if the sports bra doesn't provide the support you need. That is why we at Famme have created a guide for those unsure of what to look for when buying a new sports bra. If you want to check out Famme's sports bras, you can take a look at Famme's sports bra collection on our website,
In this article you will find:
- Low support sports bra
- Medium support sports bra
- High support sports bra
- Things to remember when buying a sports bra
- Size guide
- Questions and answers
Low support sports bra
Low support is not an optimal sports bra for everyone. If you have a larger breast size, we recommend choosing something with higher support regardless of the workout intensity. A sports bra with low support 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.
- Well suited for workout types like yoga, pilates, brisk walking, golf, etc.
We recommend checking out low support bras: such as the Peachy Scrunch Sports Bra or Lunge Sports Bra.
Lunge Sports Bra fits well under clothes and feels comfortable all day long.
Medium support sports bra
Medium support focuses more on support and moisture management, while still being comfortable; here you can find slightly wider straps, and some usually have band adjustment. A medium support bra is best suited for medium-intensity workouts or high-intensity workouts that don’t involve much jumping.
- Medium support is suitable for strength training, skiing, cycling, rowing, and core training
We recommend taking a look at medium support bras, such as the Extended Sports Bra or the Power Seamless Sports Bra
Extended Sports Bra also works excellently as a crop top.
High support sports bra
A high support sports bra is intended for high-intensity workouts. The main focus of these bras is to provide extra support and good moisture management; they should fit snugly, be somewhat tight, have wide straps, and padding. They are therefore designed to offer comfort where the breasts do not get in the way or cause pain during the workout.
- They are often chosen for activities like running, crossfit, and HIIT, but they are also perfect if you have large breasts that need more support regardless of the workout intensity.
We have a good selection of sports bras with great support and comfort for high-intensity training, including Softy Sports Bra or Elevate Crop Top
Both of these options can be used either as a bra or crop top.
Things to remember when buying a sports bra
- Don’t buy a bra that’s too small! It should fit snugly, but you still need to be able to breathe!
- Use your regular bra measurements as guidelines and check our size guide for extra help!
- Just because you have smaller breasts doesn’t mean you can skip using sports bras and avoid the unwanted effects. Training without the proper gear can eventually lead to sagging breasts.
- There’s no stress if you didn’t buy the right sports bra for different types of workouts. You still need different types of bras! Besides, you never know until you try it yourself!
Size guide
It can be difficult to know which size to choose if you haven’t bought a sports bra before, or if your size has changed. That’s why 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’s 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 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, specifically from 1977. They were invented by an American woman who couldn’t run due to the pain she experienced in her breasts. Since then, sports bras have been one of the most important garments for women when it comes to training, because they provide comfort and help 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 during everyday activities. If you don’t have the right sports bra, you can experience discomfort or pain. What usually happens then is that we adjust our posture to avoid the pain, which 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 pull-over styles without built-in cups (here you can find an example)
- Encapsulation bra: These are sports bras for high-intensity training with built-in padding; they also fit 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 sports bra depending on which type of activity you are going to do.
4. How should my sports bra fit?
Sports bras are designed to hold the breasts in place while you keep moving, so you should get more support than from a regular bra, while still being able to breathe. Remember you don’t need to buy a smaller cup size to hold your breasts in place because sports bras are meant to do this regardless of breast size. A tip for women struggling to find support is to buy a sports bra with padding.
Tip: Check our Bra Size Guide if you wonder how to find or measure your bra size.
5. What other features are important when choosing a sports bra?
Besides support and reducing the high impact from various sports, one of the most important features is what the fabric is made of. It’s wise to stick to moisture-wicking materials that do not absorb sweat. This is important to remember when shopping for activewear.
6. Can you wear sports bras every day?
Sportswear has become more popular in recent years, both because more people exercise and because of the pandemic; but there are some things you should remember:
- Sports bras tend to be too tight – which is why they are perfect for workouts; but if you wear one for a longer period without taking it off or giving your body a break, it can lead to weakening of back muscles, which can cause (among other things) shoulder pain.
- Also, wearing a sports bra all day can cause skin problems such as rashes, irritation, and even fungal infections in severe cases.
So, we recommend wearing proper activewear when you work out, but it’s generally best not to wear tight clothes all day and night.
7. Do sports bras 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, exercise, and diet (and by that, we mean what you eat). It is recommended that you find the correct size for both comfort and support. So no, sports bras will not affect the size of your breasts.
8. I have large breasts, should I wear two 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 would rather try something else, we recommend taking a look at our sports top with built-in bra – Power Seamless Top.
9. How should I wash my sports bras?
Ideally, you should wash your sports bras after each use, especially if you live in a warm climate or usually sweat a lot. Frequent washing helps eliminate bacteria transferred from your body to the garments, removes odors, and extends the lifespan of the bra. Do not put it in the dryer, as this will damage the elastic and fabric; over time, the bra will lose support.
10. How many sports bras should I own?
You should own a sports bra for every day you train. If you exercise 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.