Are you one of the 70% of women who don’t wear a sports bra when they exercise?

A good sports bra is as important a part of your gym kit as your trainers and is vital to maintaining breast shape and avoiding back, neck and shoulder pain. There are many myths surrounding sport, bras and the impact on breasts; one of which is that your breasts are made up of muscles. Your breasts are held in place only with skin and ligaments not by muscles as commonly thought. As you run, your breasts move up and down and from side to side. An unsupported breast can move a massive 14cm which can cause irreversible damage to the ligaments – tests found that even among 34As, breast movement ranged up to an average of 4cm. Wearing a good sports bra, such as Shock Absorber, can reduce the breast movement by up to 78%.

Shock Absorber have a ‘Bounce-O-Meter’ on their website which is a great way to demonstrate the effect of exercise on breasts and is well worth a look. http://www.shockabsorber.co.uk/bounceometer/shock.html

One of the common symptoms of wearing an ill-fitting bra is back and neck pain caused by the tension and strain of carrying the weight of the bust on the shoulders. A good fitting bra should fit firmly in the back so the weight of the bust is carried around the rib cage and not on the shoulders. This goes for all your bras but is even more important for sports bras and it is essential to get properly fitted for every lingerie purchase.

For more advice or for a bra fitting visit Barbarella at 10 Friar Street, Worcester or call 01905 726166.

PS If you print out this page and bring it with you to Barbarella you will receive 15% off your sports bra purchase!