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 to many women to be completely hopeless and not least uncomfortable. Therefore, the sports bra will be important during every workout, but what should you actually look for when looking for the perfect sports bra?
Choosing a sports bra can be problematic at times, breasts grow, sag and change over time, and it can be uncomfortable if the training bra does not give you the support you need. That is why we at Famme kapet have a guide for those of you who are unsure of 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 Keep in Mind When Buying a Sports Bra
- Size guide
- Questions and answers
Low support training bra
Low support is not the optimal training bra for everyone. If you are on the larger side of your bust size, we would recommend choosing something with higher support regardless of the intensity of your workout. A low support sports bra is best suited for low-intensity workouts and/or women/girls with smaller breasts. The bras are made of a soft material and focus on flexibility and comfort; they usually have thinner straps and are sold without band adjustment.
- Well suited for types of exercise such as yoga, pilates, brisk walking, golf, etc.
We recommend looking at bras with low support : such as the Peachy Scrunch Sports Bra or the Lunge Sports Bra.
The 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 tend to have band adjustments. A medium support bra is best suited for medium-intensity or high-intensity workouts that don't involve a lot of jumping.
- Medium support is great for strength training, skiing, cycling, rowing and core training
We recommend taking a look at bras with medium support, such as the Extended Sports Bra or the Power Seamless Sports Bra.
The Extended Sports Bra also works great as a crop top.
High support training bra
A high-support sports bra is designed for high-intensity exercise. The main focus of these bras is to provide extra support and good moisture management; they should fit snugly, be slightly tight, have wide straps and inserts. They are therefore designed to provide comfort where the breasts do not get in the way or hurt during exercise.
- The focus is often on workouts 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 intensity of your workout.
We have a good selection of sports bras with good support and comfort for high-intensity training , including the Softy Sports Bra or Elevate Crop Top.
Both of these options can be worn as either a bra or a crop top.
Things to keep in mind when buying a sports bra
- Don't buy a bra that's too small! It needs to fit snugly, but you also need to be able to breathe!
- Use your regular bra measurements as a guideline and check out our size guide for extra help!
- Just because you have smaller breasts doesn't mean you can avoid wearing sports bras and not have the unwanted effects. As long as you exercise without the right equipment, it can eventually result in sagging breasts.
- There's no stress if you didn't buy the right sports bra for the different types of workouts. You need different types of bras anyway! Plus, you never know until you try it yourself!
Size guide
It can be difficult to know what size to choose if you have never 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 a little knowledge before investing in anything. We've collected the most common questions about sports bras and answers! Read on for our best tips and maybe you'll get answers to your questions.
1. Why do sports bras exist?
Bras have been invented and reinvented since ancient times, but the sports bra is quite new, to be precise, 1977. It was invented by an American who couldn't run because of the pain she was experiencing in her breasts. Since then, the sports bra has been one of the most important pieces of clothing for women when it comes to exercise, because it provides comfort and 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 we perform everyday tasks. If you don't have the right training bra, you may experience either discomfort or pain. What happens then is that we most likely 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 's an example)
- Encapsulation bra: These are training bras for high-intensity training with built-in inserts, these are also suitable for women with large breasts, even if they don't work out - 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 will be doing.
4. How should my sports bra fit?
A sports bra is designed to hold your breasts in place while you are constantly moving, so you should get more support than a regular bra, while still being able to breathe. Remember that you don't need to buy a smaller cup size to hold your breasts in place, because a sports bra is designed to do that regardless of your size. A tip for women who struggle with 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 stress of the 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 workout clothes.
6. Can you 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 a few things you should keep in mind:
- Sports bras tend to be too tight – which is why they are perfect for exercise; but if you wear them for a long period of time without taking them off or giving your body a break, it can lead to weakening of the back muscles, which in turn can cause (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 fungal infections in severe cases.
So we recommend that you wear proper workout clothes when you exercise, but it is generally best not to wear tight clothing day and night.
7. Do sports bras shrink breasts?
This is a common 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 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 suits you ! There are several types of training bras. Women with large breasts can use what we call an encapsulation sports bra for high-intensity training, even if you do something like yoga or pilates. If you don't like this look and would like to try something different, then we recommend that you take a look at our training top with a built-in bra – Power Seamless Top
9. How should I wash my Sports Bras?
Ideally, you should wash your sports bra after each use, especially if you live in a hot climate or tend to sweat a lot. Frequent washing will help eliminate bacteria that is transferred from your body to your bra, remove odor, and extend the life of your bra. Do not put it in the dryer, as this will damage the elastic and fabric of the bra; 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 work out. If you work out twice a week, you should have two in rotation. If you work out four to five times a week, try to have at least four in rotation, so you have time to wash them after each use.