Boobs and exercise aren’t the friendliest of bedfellows

Tag : lingerie strap
Banish that bounce!
Jul 5 2008 by Rin Simpson , Western Mail
Boobs and exercise aren’t the friendliest of bedfellows,according to a new survey (but then we knew that, didn’t wegirls?). Rin Simpson ponders the problem and goes looking forsolutions
I’VE heard a lot of good excuses for avoiding exercise before(heck, I’ve used most of them!) but this one is new on me:apparently a quarter of all young women think that the size oftheir breast stops them from exercising.
The survey, by big boob experts Bravissimo, looked at the attitudesof women aged 16-24 have towards their bra sizes, and also revealedthat one in four think the size of their breasts prevents them fromwearing a bikini, and 10 per cent say it stops them from swimmingaltogether.
Clearly a widespread issue amongst young women then, and I’mwilling to bet it’s not just them, and that there are plentyof women aged 25-plus out there who also worry about their generousbust size and whether they can get away with a bikini, or aswimsuit full stop.
In fact, let’s not stop there – big boobs can be abarrier to all sorts of exercise. Jogging, for example, or anythingat all that involves jigging up and down.
Bravissimo estimates that more than 50 per cent of the country area D cup or above, even if they aren’t aware of it, whichmeans there’s lots of ladies avoiding the gym and the pool.But the lingerie and swimwear retailer is hoping to change allthat.
Jo Lee, Bravissimo’s marketing director, explains;“Boobs don’t have to be a barrier to exercise, as someof Britain’s elite sportswomen will testify. With awell-fitting sports bra, bigger boobed women can do anything.
“The key is in the fit – there are no muscles in yourboobs so they will bounce if you’re in the wrong size. Lookfor a firm and snug back strap and try the Jump Test – ifyour boobs jiggle when you jump on the spot, choose anothersize.”
The same goes for swimwear – bra-sized, mix and matchswimwear offers the perfect solution.
But it’s not just bigger busted beauties (listen to me, Isound like Gok Wan!) who need support when it comes to exercise.Even if you’re built like Keira Knightley, you still need topay attention to your boobs when you exercise.
“The Shock Absorber research is very clear on that,”says Selaine Messem, owner of Less Bounce.
“An A-cup bust moves 4cm unsupported, which is a lot ofmovement, especially if you’re doing that over a long time.Also, the ligaments of a smaller girl are not as strong as girlswith bigger busts so it causes more strain.”
In both cases, large or small, Selaine agrees withBravissimo’s Jo that fit is key.
“A lot of ladies tend to believe what it says on the tinrather than trying for themselves to see are there bulges or gaps.You need to try them on and jump around.
“So it should fit for one, and it should be better qualitythan your usual bra. Price is often a good indicator; not always,but often.”
It’s also worth consulting the experts, says Selaine.
“What works for an A-cup is very different from what worksfor a G-cup. It’s a case of taking some professional advicerather than what your friend says.”
Anita Rosa Faia extreme control sports bra £35, available fromFigleaves, www.figleaves.com
Pure Lime sports bra £35, Bravissimo, www.bravissimo.com
Shock Absorber Level 4 bra top B4490, £27.99, available atLess Bounce, www.lessbounce.com
Triumph Tri-Action Extreme sports bra £26.99, available atLess Bounce, www.lessbounce.com
Zoggs wire-free integral soft bra support swimsuit £40,Bravissimo, www.bravissimo.com