running clothing and sports bras?

[nomorebooze]

Am a total running novice always fancied it, but decided I am feeling a big need to take this up right now! help me wise ones to get kitted out:) what's the thoughts on karrimor running gear and how do there sizes come up?

The biggest worry is a good sports bra as im rather large up front! any recommendation's on makes and sizing of sports bras?

Sports bras: Measure yourself according to the info here, if you want to post up measurements I will work out the size. Sports bras normally run a little off sizewise, generally you need a band size bigger than you measure and a cup size smaller. The bigger busted ladies (myself included!) tend to like the Freya Underwired sports bra, or the panache version. There is also an Enell which is good. If you want to not wear wires then the shock absorber high impact is very good although IMO if you have big norks the wired is better

oooh thanks StatisticallyChallenged:) will measure myself now:) I always wear underwired but didn't know you could get underwired sports bras?

I run in the Karrimor stuff from Sports Direct, and its great. I think the sizes are pretty true

34 and a 1/2 inches underbust
41 and a 1/2 on bust.

I have a shock absorber.
Running clothes from sports direct. The the asda stuff looked ok.
You got a decent pair of trainers?

I've just had to stitch a tuck in my karimor trousers. Normal 14 trousers fit (I'm a perfect 13), but every pair of running trousers are falling down.

Thanks CMOTDibbler: im usually a 14/16 do they have a lot of stretch? if I lose weight [positive thinking] I don't want to look saggy to quickly! or shall I get the 16?

My dd1 also wears Karrimor for the gym.The tops are true to size and the bottoms run a bit small.They do seem to wash and wear well though and are very good value at Sports Direct.

oooh addictedtosugar well done you have you lost a lot of weight? not got any gear was also looking at the karrimor running trainers!

thanks teta:)

Get the 16.

I run in karrimor and find them great, I am large busted (32GG) and I have a shock absorber which works fab, I fact most of the women at the club I run at reccomend them.
It's the shoes where you really need to concentrate though.

Shock Absorber Run Bra I run in this bra (32E) - is pretty sturdy. I generally wear Capri length running tights - whatever brand is a good price in TKMaxx, but love my full length Howies running tights when it's cold. They are just the right amount of stretchy and move just tight and not too warm not too cold. I gave some Addidas capris which I don't really like - too baggy and not v stretchy.

I have been running and cycling along, long time and am a bit of a top snob and usually wear merino wool tops.

Don't forget to get some properly fitted shoes. A decent sports shop will look at how you run on a treadmill and fit your shoes accordingly.

It's worse for running gear to be too big than too small as there's nothing worse than having to hoik your trousers up every 2 seconds.

Karrimor stuff is true to size IMO.

You really have to try on sports bras. The sizes seem to be different from normal bras.

Nope, lost very little weight (5kg over 6 months), but have shrunk - so flubber is turning into muscle. I didn't cut back on food! I did couch to 5km over the summer. Run 4-5 km 2-3 times a week at the moment.
They have lots of stretch. If your a 14-16, I'd get the 14. Others seem to disagree. Maybe it depends on your shape.
Google wet foot test, and look for trainers which support your foot arch shape correctly.

thanks everyone will look at wet foot test not sure what it is! which sports shops do the running test thing?? think I will go with karrimor its fairly cheap I don't want to spend silly money on kit don't mind for good bra and footwear though.

I'd agree get the 14 if you're a 14-16.

Also agree with shock absorber bras.

So, base bra size I would say between a 34F and 34FF. In most sports bras, I would start with trying a 36E/F

I'm a 30HH, and have tried a lot of sports bras. The shock absorber is good, but personally for me the underwired freya is better. Nothing moves in that puppy!

thanks for that StatisticallyChallenged I think I will go and try some on this weekend if I can find stockists? what highstreet shops sell sports bras?

just done foot test I have a normal arch? what does this mean then?

If you can get to a Bravissimo they will have thebest selection in your size. If not, I would suggest trying Debenhams (definitely stock the shock absorber and a few others I think), or john lewis

Hi, if you have a Sweatshop nearby then they should be able to offer you a gait analysis and advise you on trainers. Also if you have a TK Maxx have a look in there for running gear, my local one had New Balance, Asics and Ronnhill in at the weekend at bargain prices!

As another 30HH I like the Panache Ultimate Sports - it's a beast of a bra! I can do 10km in that without a wobble in sight! Karrimor stuff from SD is perfectly fine for most of us pleasure/leisure runners and still stands up well to the much more expensive brands. The finishing is sometimes a bit rougher and the fabrics and colours are often limited, but I've just bought a pair of this season's Windproof Xlite tights (£18) and they are very nearly almost as good as the three times the price Nike's. Shape wise they're fairly straight cut so good for a generally thickset rectangular shape, but I'm a classic big arse/thighs with a narrow waist and I find that I have to size up to get them over my hips. Same with my boobs, have to size up in vest etc to get them round me and there's usually a little spare fabric at the waist as a result. But it's not major enough to outweight the price advantage!

Normal arch doesn't mean all that much by itself, but there are various online guides for diagnosing whether you over or under pronate, or whether you have a stable normal gait. This will guide whether you need to go for a cushioning or support style shoe. Your best bet is to ring around your local sports shops and gyms and ask whether any of them do gait analysis. It's well worth having it done properly. You run for a few minutes on a treadmill in various pairs of trainers whilst your feet and ankles are videoed and the footage studied to see what your gait is. You can then buy the last season's colours of whatever shoe is recommended online for about half the price of a new season issue.

Okay I'm a DD cup and I have been running since I was an early teen, and I personally think the Shock Absorber isn't a patch on Enell. The SA is a decent sports bra. With an Enell you. Will. Not. Move.

Seriously, they're like corsets. www.enell.com/

And you can get them at LessBounce.co.uk - www.lessbounce.com/

Look at the front page of Less Bounce and you can compare the different ones - Enell is so much sturdier. I don't work for them, just a total convert!

Would also personally avoid SweatShop for show fittings and go with a proper indie running shop. Last time I was in SS the bloke tried to sell me pink running shoes on the grounds that they were, er, pink

I have a few Enell bras as well. They're fantastic and last FOREVER.