How to Get a Comfortable Training Bra (for Tweens)

Last Updated: September 12, 2022 References

Puberty can be hard to deal with for all genders. Acne, peer pressure, bras, erections, and more! For females, dealing with periods and developing breasts is challenging. Younger females (ages 8-12) will need to deal with getting a bra. It can be tricky to find a good one to fit in, so many young females might be confused. This article will show you the basics of finding a good training bra.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Preparing for a Training Bra

1
Know when it's time for a training bra. Puberty, on average, begins at the ages 8-13 for females. One of the first things that signals puberty is pubic hair. Next, females' breasts start to develop. You'll need to know when to buy a training bra in the first place so that you don't buy one too early (and grow out of it when you really start to develop) or get one too late (so that you don't fit into it).
- Feel your chest area. If you feel two nickel-sized bumps on your chest area, it may be time to consider a training bra.
2
Know why developing females need training bras. Training bras don't really "train" the breasts for cup bras. They are more comfortable that regular flat undershirts, since they support developing breasts. They also work for breasts that are too large for undershirts and too small for cup bras. ^{[1]
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- Training bras were made in the 1950s. Before the 1950s, since females went through puberty later (at ages 13-16), they wore undershirts until their breasts could fit into cup bras.
- Some tweens might be self-conscious because their developing breasts show through their clothing. Their nipples might poke through their shirts, making tweens embarrassed. This is also a reason to wear training bras.
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3
Tell your parents that you need a training bra. If you have all the symptoms of breast development, it may be time for you to get a training bra. This step can be embarrassing, so prepare yourself by writing down what you want to say and where to hold the conversation. Tell a trusted female relative about it.
- You could tell your mom, aunt, grandmother, trusted older sister, female cousin, etc.
- If you don't have a trusted female relative, you might need to talk to your dad, grandpa, uncle, older brother, male cousin, etc. This is uncomfortable for many females, so don't worry. Honestly tell them that you need one. They have gone through health classes, so they probably already know that you will go through puberty some day. Don't feel embarrassed- even though they are a different gender than you, they might provide you with useful information and advice.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Finding a Training Bra

1
Go to a clothing store. Most clothing stores sell regular undershirts, training bras, and cup bras. You don't have to go to an adult underwear store to buy one. Tell your parents to take you to the store to buy a few.
- Department stores sell training bras. Search and go to your nearest department store to try on and buy some.
- You could also buy some online at Amazon or Ebay, but this won't ensure that you'll get a good fit. Try some on at the store first. If you know what size your training bras are already, you can buy some online.
2
Try some on. You won't know what they feel like if you don't try a few on! Go to the changing room and try different sizes and brands of training bras to see if they fit right. It may take a few tries to get the perfect brand and size, so it's best to do this on the weekend or when you have time.
- If they don't restrict your breathing and don't squeeze your breasts tight, they are a right fit.
- Some famous brands that sell underwear and training bras include Maidenform, Fruit of the Loom, Hanes, and Calvin Klein. ^{[2]
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3
Refrain from worrying about what your friends think. If you bought a training bra from a different store or got a larger size, don't worry! Everyone's bodies are different, and it's normal for females to have bras of a different size. Don't be self-conscious, and don't force yourself into a small bra or get a large one if your friends are wearing the same thing.
- If you have early puberty, you might be concerned that your body is totally different than your classmates' bodies. Ignore the bullies, and concentrate on your well-being. Talk to a parent or teacher if the bullying gets too far.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Choosing a Type of Training Bra

1
Get a regular cotton training bra. These are basically short versions of regular undershirts. They go up to your chest and support your developing breasts. These don't have any cups or padding, and they are just flat. ^{[3]
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- These are good when your breasts are just starting to develop. If you have a nickel-sized lump in each of your breasts, you will need one of these.
- If your breasts don't move around when you exercise, you can buy one of these.
2
Get a training bra with padding. These are for when your breasts are larger and out of the beginner stage. If your breasts are now larger than a nickel and not flat, or if they start to move a little when you exercise and move, you should get one with padding. Padding helps support your breasts. It also helps minimize the appearance of breasts underneath your shirt!
- Some padding can be removable, and some can't. Choose wisely. If you don't need or want to remove the padding, you can buy non-removable padded training bras. If you want to remove the padding (if it's uncomfortable or if you want to customize it) you can buy removable ones.
3
Get a racerback training bra. These have shoulder straps that cross together at the back, making your breasts more supported. They lessen sagging breasts and lift them up. These are also a nice choice if your breasts jiggle while wearing a regular, flat training bra.
- Some of these come with padding. You should choose whether or not to get padded racerback training bras by deciding if you are developed enough to get some.
4
Get a bralette. These look more like regular cup bras. If your breasts spill out of training bras but are a bit small for cup bras, these may be for you. These bras have cups in them, but don't have underwire that regular bras have. These are a good choice if your breasts are almost fully developed. ^{[4]
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- These are more comfortable than regular underwire bras. Many teens and adults wear these for comfort and style.
5
Get a sports bra. Sports bras are worn when you are exercising. Since cup bras move around too much and are too bulky, many people wear sports bras during athletic activity. Small sports bras can also be used as training bras. ^{[6]
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- These firmly support your breasts and you can wear them anywhere- not just exercising. They were made for exercise, but nowadays females wear them for casual wear and exercise.
6
Get a cup bra. These are for when you are fully developed. This whole process usually takes 4-8 years depending on when you started puberty/developing breast tissue. If you can't fit into a training bra anymore, you may need a cup bra. If you are young or if your breasts aren't too large, you can stick with training bras or small bralettes. ^{[7]
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- You will need to measure your cup and band size in order to get a comfortable fitting bra.