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 workouts is therefore known to be completely hopeless and, not least, uncomfortable for many women. That’s why a sports bra is important during any workout, but what should you actually look for in search of 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 sports bra doesn’t provide the support you need. Therefore, we at Famme have created a guide for those who are unsure what to look for when buying a new sports bra. If you’d like 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'll find:

• Low support sports bras
• Medium support sports bras
• High support sports bras
• Things to remember when buying a sports bra
• Size guide
• Questions and answers

Low support sports bras

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 best suited for low-intensity training and/or women/girls with smaller breasts. The bras are made from soft materials and focus on flexibility and comfort; they usually have thinner straps and are sold without band adjustment.

• Suits well for training types 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 clothing and feels comfortable all day long.

Medium support sports bras

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

• Medium support suits well 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 also works excellently as a crop top.

High support sports bras

A sports bra with high support is intended for high-intensity training. With these bras, the main focus is to provide extra support and good moisture management; they should fit snugly on the body, be a bit tight, have wide straps, and inserts. They are designed to provide comfort where the breasts are not in the way or causing pain during workouts.

• The focus is generally on workouts like running, crossfit, and HIIT when buying a high support sports bra, but they are also perfect if you have larger breasts that need more support regardless of the intensity of the workout.

We have a good selection of sports bras with excellent support and comfort for high-intensity training, including Softy Sports Bra or Elevate Crop Top

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

Things to remember when buying a sports bra

1. Don’t buy a bra that is too small! It should fit snugly, but you should also be able to breathe!
2. Use your usual bra measurements as guidelines and refer to our size guide for extra help!
3. Just because you have smaller breasts doesn’t mean you can avoid wearing sports bras and not have those unwanted effects. As long as you work out without the right equipment, it may eventually result in sagging breasts.
4. There is no stress if you didn’t buy the right sports bra according to the different types of workouts. You need different types of bras anyway! Moreover, 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 a little knowledge before investing in something. We have compiled the most common questions about sports bras and answers! Read on for our best tips and maybe you’ll find answers to the questions you have.

1. Why are there sports bras?

Bras have been invented and reinvented since ancient times, but sports bras, on the other hand, are quite new, more precisely, 1977. They were invented by an American who could not 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, providing comfort and allowing women to avoid pain.

2. Why should I wear a sports bra when I work out?

When we exercise, we move our bodies and implicitly our breasts, more than when we perform everyday tasks. Without the right sports bra, you may experience discomfort or pain. What happens then is most likely that we adjust our bodies to avoid the pain, which 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 pullover styles without built-in cups (here you’ll find an example)
• Encapsulation bras: These are sports bras for high-intensity workouts with built-in inserts; they are also suitable for women with large breasts, even if they are not exercising – they offer plenty of support (here you’ll 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 keep breasts in place while you are moving, 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 inserts.

Tip: Check our Bra Size Guide if you are unsure 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 impact from various sports, one of the most important characteristics is what the fabric is made of. It’s wise to stick to moisture-wicking materials that don’t absorb sweat. This is important to remember when looking for training wear.

6. Can sports bras be worn every day?

Sportswear has become more popular in recent years, both because more and more people are exercising, and also because we’ve been through a pandemic; but there are several things you should keep in mind:

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

So we recommend that you wear appropriate workout gear when training, but generally, it’s best if you don’t wear tight clothing day and night.

7. Do sports bras shrink breasts?

This is usually a misconception among our younger audience. Growth throughout the body is not influenced 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 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 don’t need to! If you aren’t 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 certainly use what we call encapsulation sports bras for high-intensity training, even if you’re 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 your sports bras after every use, especially if you live in a warm climate or typically sweat a lot. Frequent washing helps eliminate bacteria transferred from the body to clothing, removes odors, and extends the life of the bra. Do not put it in the dryer, as it will damage the elastic and fabric of the bra; over time, the bra will lose its support.

10. How many sports bras should I own?

You should own one sports bra for each day you train. If you train two times 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 that you have time to wash them after each use.