My boobs used to stop me from working out.
Yes, truly. A 10E cup + a serious lack of knowledge in regards to proper sports bras = completely hopeless me. Strapping those puppies down for a bounce-free run was an Operation, and generally required two crop tops, at the very minimum.
You know what happens when you wear two very tight crop tops? YOU CAN’T BREATHE. Which makes for less-than-ideal exercise conditions.
So instead of going for a workout, I would stay at home. It minimised bounce issues and meant that I didn’t stress about my ligaments getting torn apart with every step down the pavement.
Of course, this story has a happy ending. I went to a bra shop and got fitted for a proper running bra (Berlei is gooood and worth the investment) and I forgot that boobs had anything to do about exercise.
And then last week, I read a study that said nearly one in five women are put off exercise by their breasts. ONE IN FIVE! That’s nearly 20% of the female population (good maths, I know). And here I thought for all this time that it was just me.
But no. It’s an issue for all the ladies, not simply the big-busted ones. Those of all cup sizes are avoiding their daily workout because they are bothered by their boobies.
The survey was conducted by the University of Portsmouth’s Research Group in Breast Health, and published online this week. They found the top four reasons for women avoiding exercise, and they were as follows:
1. Lack of energy
Top Comments
I cannot go past the Panache sports bra, although I was a completely different size in this bra to the other bras that I wear. I had it fitted at Mary Holland Lingerie in Sydney and have since been back to buy more. Their bra fitters are really good. I wear a 10F in this bra and it seriously does the job. I do alot of pump classes and really need the support.
I'm reliably informed by another 10E like myself that she has just fallen in love with her Intimo sports bra - I'm going to try it. At the moment, I'm in Berlei, and they are OK, but I don't run - I jog at best, and the rest is hiking, weights, yoga and pilates - but the girls sure do get in the way!