How to choose the right sports bra
A regular bra is, as everyone knows, 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 the sports bra is important during every workout, but what should you really 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. That is why we at Famme have created a guide for those 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 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 are on the larger side of breast size, we recommend choosing something with higher support regardless of the intensity of the workout. A sports bra with low support is most suitable for low-intensity training and/or women/girls with smaller breasts. These bras are made of a soft material and focus on flexibility and comfort; they usually have thinner straps and are sold without band adjustment.
- Suitable for activities like yoga, pilates, brisk walking, golf, etc.
We recommend checking out low support bras, such as the Peachy Scrunch Sports Bra or the 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 typically have band adjustment. A medium support sports bra is best suited for moderate-intensity training or high-intensity training that does not 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 designed for high-intensity training. The main focus of these bras is to provide extra support and good moisture control; they should fit snugly to the body, be a bit tight, have wide straps and inserts. They are therefore designed to provide comfort where the breasts are not in the way or causing pain during the workout.
- People often focus on training like 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 the 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
- Do not buy a bra that is too small! It should fit snugly, but you also need to be able to breathe!
- Use your usual bra measurements as guidelines and check out our size guide for extra help!
- Just because you have smaller breasts does not mean you can avoid wearing sports bras and the unwanted effects. Training without the right equipment can eventually result in sagging breasts.
- There is no stress if you did not buy the right sports bra for the different types of training. 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 is why we have a size guide on our site which 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 will 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 couldn’t run due to the pain she experienced in her breasts. Since then, the sports bra has been one of the most important garments for women when it comes to training because they provide comfort and prevent pain.
2. Why should I wear a sports bra when I work out?
When we work out, we move the body and implicitly the breasts more than during everyday activities. If you don’t have the right sports bra, you might experience discomfort or pain. What usually happens then is that we adjust the body 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 are there and how should I choose the right one for me?
There are two main types of sports bras:
- Compression bras: These bras usually come in pullover styles without built-in cups (here you will find an example)
- Encapsulation bras: These are sports bras for high-intensity training with built-in inserts, also suitable for women with large breasts even if they’re not training – they offer a lot of support (here you will find an example)
You should choose a sports bra depending on what 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 are moving, so you should get more support than from an ordinary bra, but you must still be able to breathe. Remember that you do not need to buy a smaller cup size to hold your breasts in place because the sports bra is meant to do that regardless of breast size. A tip for women struggling to find support is to buy a sports bra with inserts.
Tip: Check out our Bra Size Guide if you are wondering how to find or measure your bra size.
5. What other features are important when choosing a sports bra?
In addition to support and reducing the impact from different 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 looking for sportswear.
6. Can I wear a sports bra 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 keep in mind:
- Sports bras tend to be tight – which 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 your back muscles, which can cause (among other things) shoulder pain.
- Additionally, wearing a sports bra all day can cause skin problems like rashes, irritation, and even fungal infections in severe cases.
So we recommend you wear the right sportswear when training, but it is generally best not to wear tight clothing day and night.
7. Do sports bras shrink breasts?
This is usually a misunderstanding among our younger audience. Growth throughout the 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 right 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 are not getting 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 they practice yoga or pilates. If you don’t like this look and want to try something else, we recommend checking out 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 every use, especially if you live in a warm climate or sweat heavily. Frequent washing helps eliminate bacteria transferred from the body to the clothes, removes odor, and extends the lifespan of the bra. Do not tumble dry, as it will damage the elasticity and fabric of the bra; over time, the bra will lose support.
10. How many sports bras should I own?
You should own one sports bra for every day you train. If you work out twice a week, you should have two to alternate. If you train four to five times a week, try to have at least four to alternate so you have time to wash them after each use.