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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to not 'get' sports bras?

54 replies

redhappy · 07/10/2011 10:16

I just don't understand how they are supposed to work? How are they supportive? Maybe I'm just not looking at the right ones, but a layer of stretch jersey with no wires is just not supportive, and I'm only a 34B!

I would get more support from a really padded plunge bra that kept everyting firmly in place. Is there some great secret that I'm missing?

OP posts:

GumballCharm · 07/10/2011 10:17

They're felixible....comfortable. Who wants wires around their tits? Not me...even when I'm not doing sports!

BluddyMoFo · 07/10/2011 10:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

talkingnonsense · 07/10/2011 10:18

Sounds like you are looking at the crop top things! Try shock absorber, or triumph do an ok sports bra. Shock absorber cross back my favourite but is ££.

aldiwhore · 07/10/2011 10:19

YANBU at all.

I find them uncomfy, but have big boobs (well one big, one medium!) I have to keep my re-enforced with steel girder bras on when exercising. (and the look better [vainity icon]

Sports bras just squash me and don't stop the bounce.

TooManyBlossoms · 07/10/2011 10:19

As a 34G if I didn't wear my Shock Absorber sports bra I would quite literally have black eyes and bruised knees

They're not the most attractive of items but pretty necessary!

Original poster

redhappy · 07/10/2011 10:20

Hmmm, I just thought they were supposed to keep everything in place whilst you're running etc? They are squashed down when I'm wearing a sports bra, but not as much as I expected. Maybe I'm just expecting too much.

OP posts:

entropygirl · 07/10/2011 10:22

I personally I have found the combination of my nursing bra with a sports bra over the top just about gets the job done. The underbra keeps things the right shape and stops the pads from escaping and the sports bra clamps everything down to my chest. Oh and it look just amazingly stylish as you can imagine.

TurkeyBurgerThing · 07/10/2011 10:23

I'm a 34 H and wear one to exercise. I don't find it much use on it's own and I have to wear it on top of my normal bra but it works great that way. I also sometimes wear it in bed (I always have to wear a bra in bed, my boobs are too big heavy and sore not to. In fact when I was BF they would even affect my breathing!)

chunkythighs · 07/10/2011 10:24

Red You could be wearing the wrong bra. I am also a shock absorber fan (34E). My puppies would be over my shoulders without it! The wind resistance alone would slow me down considerably .

Original poster

redhappy · 07/10/2011 10:24

talking nonsense can you tell me more please? Just checked the one I've got, says @Ladies's Sports Bra' on the packet, and also shows the rest of their range including a crop top, so looks like I've got a proper one.

I'm thinking I might construct something for myself. I'm thinking if I used the panel from tummy control pants and wore that like a boob tube over the top?

OP posts:

Pfriend · 07/10/2011 10:25

Depends on the sports bra. Like others have said, try shock absorbers

dinkystinky · 07/10/2011 10:25

You need the right sports bra for the right type of exercise.

The shock absorber run one is fab for compressing boobs down so no movement at all. The crop top ones are good for yoga/pilates. You need a different type of bra - ideally not underwired but supportive - Shock absorber 3 maybe - for weights work. All discovered through many years of trial and error.

chunkythighs · 07/10/2011 10:27

red Shock absorbers have different 'strengths', ranging from 1-4. Basically for yoga you use a 1 and for running you use a 4.

aldiwhore · 07/10/2011 10:28

Think I need a 5 or 6. Mine aren't the biggest boobs in the world, but they are very lively.

Original poster

redhappy · 07/10/2011 10:31

Thanks. It's mostly for running, so shock absorber sounds like the way to go.

Is this what you all mean?

I'm wondering if an A cup might be better as I have have trouble with bras anyway. My breasts cover a large area proportionally of my rib cage but not much mass if that makes sense? So they don't stick out very far basically. So if it's not a wired bra, then I should really go for something with less fabric.

OP posts:

chunkythighs · 07/10/2011 10:33

That the jobbie all right. I just head off to the bra shop and jump up and down in the changing room to test it out . (where oh where did my dignity go?)

AMumInScotland · 07/10/2011 10:34

Another shock absorber fan here - I've got an underwired front-fastener which keeps them in position without squashing them flat against my chest (38C). I tried on a lot of other things which were labelled as sports bras, and they didn't have much support, so I think there's a lot of range.

A layer of stretch jersey with no wires sounds more ike its meant to look nice and smooth under a t-shirt rather than actually provide any support!

eurochick · 07/10/2011 10:35

You need to experiment to find the style and brand that works for you. I like the crop tops that squash you but you have to find a really good one so it is supportive enough. The new shock absorbers don't fit me well but I have some ancient ones (different model that is no longer made) that really need throwing out that fit perfectly.

Mine mostly need replacing but I must have tried on 10 different sports bras without finding one that fits well and is sufficiently supportive.

I'm the same size as you, btw.

squeakytoy · 07/10/2011 10:35

I am a 36E and without a sports bra I would be very uncomfortable when I am exercising. The best ones I have got are Marks & Spencers ones. The cheaper ones from sainsburys etc are really not all that effective.

ThePopsicleKat · 07/10/2011 10:38

Most sports bras IME are rubbish and do bugger all, but the highest impact shock absorber is actually brilliant. They lay down the law with a firm hand and norks harnessed firmly in place.

Last time I bought one it was about £26 from Debenhams though, so not cheap (and possibly more expensive now, this was 3 years ago).

eurochick · 07/10/2011 10:40

red, that's the one I just can't get to fit me. The boob bulges are in the wrong place for my shape so I end up with baggy bits! You really do need to try them on.

rookiemater · 07/10/2011 10:40

Echo most posters you need a shock absorber or a decent one from M&S anything that is normal bra style i.e. you can put it on normally rather than over your head isn't good enough for me.

rookiemater · 07/10/2011 10:41

Also are you absolutely sure you are a B cup? May be worth getting yourself measured at a Bravissimo if there is one near you, you may find you are a different size from what you think.

Original poster

redhappy · 07/10/2011 10:42

I'm pretty sure this is the one I've got. So pretty useless then it seems.

I was tempted by the M&S ones. Haven't they won lots of awards or had ace reviews or something? I'm not worried about what it looks like, tbh I would actually prefer if it squashed me comepletely flat actually! Then I could just concentrate on what I'm doing.

OP posts:

BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 07/10/2011 10:44

If you do loads of exercise then a sports bra is a must....unless you want to be a tit kicker when you are older

Shock absorber are great and nike do some good ones as well....look in sports direct as they are usually in there at a discounted price.

I do loads of exercise and they certainly stop bouncing about, no way could I exercise in an everyday bra. If they dont feel supportive you need to check your sizing.

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