How to choose the right sports bra

A regular bra is, as everyone knows, designed for everyday activities with a very low intensity level. Therefore, wearing a regular bra during training is known by many women to be completely hopeless and, not least, uncomfortable. That’s why a sports bra is important during any workout, but what should one really look for when searching for the perfect sports bra?

Choosing a sports bra can be problematic at times; breasts grow, sink, and change over time, and it can be uncomfortable if the sports bra does not provide the support you need. Therefore, we at Famme have created a guide for you who are unsure about 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 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 low support sports bra is best suited for low-intensity training and/or women/girls with smaller breasts. The 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 types of training such as yoga, pilates, brisk walking, golf, etc.

We recommend checking out low support bras: 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 sports bra

Medium support focuses more on support and moisture management while still being comfortable; here you can find slightly wider straps, and some of them usually have band adjustment. A medium support bra is best suited for moderate-intensity workouts or high-intensity training that does not involve much jumping.

• Medium support is well suited for strength training, skiing, cycling, rowing, and core training

We recommend taking a look at medium support bras, such as Extended Sports Bra or Power Seamless Sports Bra

Extended Sports Bra fits excellently as a crop top.

High support sports bra

A high support sports bra is intended for high-intensity training. The main focus of these bras is to provide extra support and good moisture management; they should fit snugly on the body, be somewhat tight, have wide straps, and padding. Therefore, they are designed to provide comfort where the breasts are not in the way or causing pain during the workout.

• High support sports bras are typically focused on activities such as running, crossfit, and HIIT, but they are also perfect if you have large breasts that need more support regardless of the intensity of the workout.

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 of these options can be used as either a bra or a crop top.

Things to remember when buying a sports bra

1. Do not buy a bra that is too small! It must fit snugly, but you also need to be able to breathe!
2. Use your regular bra measurements as guidelines and check out our size guide for extra help!
3. Just because you have smaller breasts does not mean you can avoid wearing sports bras and not have the unwanted effects. As long as you train without the right gear, it can ultimately result in sagging breasts.
4. Don’t stress if you didn’t buy the right sports bra according to the various types of training. You need different types of bras anyway! Besides, you never know until you try it yourself!

Size guide

It can be tricky 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

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 compiled 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, on the other hand, are quite new, more precisely, since 1977. It was invented by an American who could not run due to the pain she felt in her breasts. Since then, the sports bra has become one of the most important garments for women when it comes to training, because they provide comfort and allow women to 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 we perform everyday tasks. If you do not have the right training bra, you might experience discomfort or pain. What happens then is most likely that we adjust our bodies to avoid the pain, which in turn can lead to back pain. If you want 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 pull-over styles without built-in cups (here you can find an example)
• Encapsulation bras: These are sports bras for high-intensity training with built-in padding, they are also suitable for women with large breasts, even if they are not training – they offer a lot of support (here you can find an example)

You should choose a training bra depending on what type of activity you are going to do.

4. How should my sports bra fit?

Sports bras are designed to keep your breasts in place while you move, so you should get more support than from a regular bra, while still being able to breathe. Remember that you do not need to buy a smaller cup size to keep your breasts in place because the sports bra is meant to do that regardless of whether you have large breasts. A tip for women struggling to find support is to buy a sports bra with padding.

Tip: Check out our Bra size Guide if you’re 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 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. It’s important to remember when looking for workout gear.

6. Can I wear a sports bra every day?

Sportswear has become more popular in recent years, both because more and more people are exercising, but also because we have been in a pandemic; but there are some things you should remember:

• Sports bras tend to be too tight – that’s why they are perfect for training; but if you wear one for an extended period without taking it off or giving your body a break, it can weaken the back muscles, which in turn can lead to (among other things) shoulder pain.
• In addition to that, wearing a sports bra all day can lead to skin problems like rashes, skin irritation, and even fungus infections in severe cases.

So we recommend that you wear proper workout gear when you train, but it’s generally best not to wear tight clothing day and night.

7. Do sports bras shrink breasts?

This is usually a misconception among our younger audience. The 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 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 two sports bras?

You do not need to! If you are not getting the support you need, just find a bra with good support that fits you! There are various types of training bras. Women with large breasts can certainly use what we call encapsulation sports bras for high-intensity training, even if you are doing something like yoga or pilates. If you don't like that look and want to try something else, then we recommend you check out 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 helps eliminate the bacteria transferred from your body to the bra, remove odors, and prolong the lifespan of the bra. Do not put them in the dryer, as it will ruin 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 each day you train. If you train twice a week, you should have two on rotation. If you train four to five times a week, aim to have at least four on rotation so that you have time to wash them after each use.