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Exercise

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Original poster

Support for big boobs - sports bra/crop top recommendations?

25 replies

FannyBazaar · 22/10/2013 20:48

I am finally ready to give running a go but not ready to splash out £30+ on an ugly bra, ideally what I need is a non-underwired sports bra/crop top that I can wear over a normal bra.

Having looked around I can see the sort of thing I need but listed in sizes like S, M, L, what part of me is that size for I am a 30GG! Is there something like that made for a curvy woman?

OP posts:

Ilovemydogandmydoglovesme · 22/10/2013 20:55

Shock Absorber bras are quite good but they are expensive. You won't find a decent sports bra for much less than that.

Original poster

FannyBazaar · 22/10/2013 21:12

Thanks, I was hoping for a compromise over the bloody expensive ugly decent sports bra by wearing a good supportive bra with something over the top.

OP posts:

trainersandcake · 22/10/2013 21:18

I'd second Shock Absorbers, they're the only ones that actually work and definitely worth the investment - spendy but if you search online you can often find them on offer.

I'm a 30FF and it's the only non-moving one I've found (top tip tho - go for a 32 rather than a 30 tho as they fit better)

Ilovemydogandmydoglovesme · 22/10/2013 22:19

Next do them, if you've got a Next account. Then you can spread the cost a bit.

MinnesotaNice · 22/10/2013 22:24

Enell bras are really good. I'm a 34FF and have worn these for the past 10 years. Absolutely no movement when I run and they last forever. I'm an Enell size 2.

EauRouge · 22/10/2013 22:24

You can get shock absorbers on ebay for about £20 if you're sure of your size. Running will be no fun at all without a very supportive bra! You can get them in some nice colours, they just look like crop tops. I was a 30GG when I started running and I found their sizing pretty accurate.

SorrelForbes · 22/10/2013 22:26

I'm a 30GG and I use the Freya Active underwired for running and high impact classes.

crossparsley · 22/10/2013 22:31

I like the Panache ones, here . I'm smaller than you but it gets good reviews from women who wear bigger sizes. They are cheaper on ebay, but not much as they are popular.

PacificDogwood · 22/10/2013 22:33

Shock Absorber.
Shock Absorber.
Shock Absorber.

Did I mention Shock Absorber?

Keeps my 34G bust in place. Well worth the money IMO.
Brastop have them on offer every now and then.

Baileyscoffeeandcampfires · 22/10/2013 22:35

Shock absorber - the best is the sports bra top style b4490. Tend to come in a range of bright colours.

Try debenhams as they often go to 70% off in the sales.

InsultingBadger · 22/10/2013 22:38

I bought a fab one - pricey but on my god it is magical! Royce impact free

mrsyattering · 22/10/2013 22:39

Shock Absorber all the way. Keep my 34f's perfectly in place.

You will only spend more than that trying lots of anything cheaper.

Try them though, as I think you need to go bigger. All my other bras are a 34f and I need a 36g

Ireallyhavenoidea · 22/10/2013 22:49

I'm a 34G and bounced everywhere with a shock absorber bra but was recommended Enell on here and, like Minnestoa, have no bounce whatsoever. It's fantastic (but expensive, but so worth it!)

Original poster

FannyBazaar · 22/10/2013 23:57

OK, I found a brand new Shock Absorber for £13.75 on eBay so have gone for that! Gone for my original size as have lost some weight and bra bands actually feeling a bit lose. Wanted to go running this weekend and not bra shopping with a fitting so let's hope it works. I guess I now need to look for some trainers.

I fear investing loads of money on the perfect bra then changing size because of the exercise and back to square one...

OP posts:

Ilovemydogandmydoglovesme · 23/10/2013 20:20

I'd be very surprised if it's genuine at that price. Especially on eBay. Still as long as it does the job.

Original poster

FannyBazaar · 23/10/2013 21:38

How would I know if it's not genuine? What should I look for?

I always assumed bras on eBay in previous style/colour ranges were just old stock or factory outlet stock. The one I've gone for is not the current range but as I won't be showing it off to anyone, it'll be only me that knows .

OP posts:

Baileyscoffeeandcampfires · 24/10/2013 09:50

I sell plus size bras on eBay and my stock is end of season. Still perfect and not seconds.
Nobody is going to go to the trouble to produce fakes bras that only cost £30 to start with

ilovepowerhoop · 24/10/2013 10:13

I get mine from boobydoo - link hopefully has a couple of 30GG bras

Sonic75 · 25/10/2013 00:57

I have to vote for ENELL bras. I have found that when you start to run there are two things a woman has to invest in and thats an excellent bra and running shoes.
For about £40 -£45 enells bras are amazing. Like minnesotanice said, your boobs do not move at all, they are front fastening but like like a crop top so it really supports your back and neck and improves your posture as you run. In the past, i had to replace shock absorber bras evey few months. This enell is a year old and still as good as the day i bought it. I heard Oprah endorsed these bras in USA when she started running and she had huge boobs!
The sizes are by numbers but the website gives very clear guidance on how to measure correctly. At first i felt as though it was really too tight but after another wash and getting used to its "support" it feels much more comfortable.
Good luck with running.

Original poster

FannyBazaar · 25/10/2013 19:35

Baileyscoffeeandcampfires I did wonder at anyone wanting to put in the effort to make fake bras, you've got to make a load of them to be able to make them cheaply (even in China) and then theses sizes are less common. I'm sure it's more profitable to fake a more common size, simpler structured bra. Still, how would I tell?

I looked at the ENELL but really for that price I want something that looks good as well as supports and that really wasn't my taste.

I am kind of assuming that if I do actually take up running and keep it up for a bit, I stand a very strong chance of changing size so would expect to either be upgrading in a few months or give up! Happy to wear a less than brilliant support bra over a normal underwired bra for doubling bagging support anyway. Previous attempt was made wearing well stretched very old sports style nursing bra over underwired bra!

Shock Absorber has arrived as promised, brand new with tags and packaging so I'll give that a go.

OP posts:

fossil971 · 25/10/2013 19:40

I recommend the Shock absorber ones that look like this

I'm a 32FF in these although more of a 30g in normal bras, but it's very good for jogging and zumba. I bought mine from ebay cheap as well, I think it was just a discontinued colour (rather icky pink) but it's been very reliable bra.

Original poster

FannyBazaar · 25/10/2013 21:22

fossil971 that's the style I've got but mine is blue and I do actually like the look of it (as far as sports bras go). The 30GG is much tighter than my current bras but having lost a bit of weight recently and not bought a new bra for ages I am due a refit and it feels like the size I need.

Just tried it on, it was incredibly different to fasten but much less scary than trying to pull something on. Did a jump up and down test in the bathroom and was very aware of my tummy wobbling up and down instead of my boobs .

OP posts:

HomerPigeon · 26/10/2013 05:53

I'm a 30F. Over the years I have tried various Shock Absorbers and the Freya one, but having found the Panache one I have found perfection. It's ace. Gives a nice shape and your boobs don't move at all. In your price range too.

Haven't heard of the Enell ones but will give those a look too.

RichManPoorManBeggarmanThief · 26/10/2013 06:13

For running I don't think you can beat Ennell for bounce reduction. Shock Absorber are pretty good up to a D cup IMO but they just don't have enough 'scaffolding' above that. That said, see how you get on with it. Everyone's different.

SparklyFucker · 29/10/2013 16:28

As a 30HH I also don't rate Shock Absorber - they just don't have the control over about a DD/E as RichMan says. I've not tried Enell, but I love my Panache Ultimate Sports as mentioned upthread - it's a beast of a bra and holds me rock solid. It's not fugly, especially in the white, and you can pick it up on ebay for about £25 as opposed to £35rrp. It is very very firm and runs true to size - don't go up on the band especially if you are nearer 30 than 32, it needs to have a solid foundation. Also has a convertible racer back which provides shedloads of extra support when running.

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