Anecdotally, we know that women often use their breasts as a barrier to activity, or as a reason to avoid doing certain activities or drills. However, this was demonstrated more scientifically during a study in the UK, which found that a whopping 17 per cent of women opted out of an activity due to their breasts. In many cases they claimed their boobs were a bigger deterrent to exercise than time or money.
Finding the right sports bra for bigger boobs
Did you know the average breast size in Australia is now 12DD? With boobs getting bigger and women becoming more active, sports bras are going to be something we all get to learn more about in the future.
For those that haven’t experienced the impact of bouncing breasts, I can assure you that the struggle is real. An unsupported E cup breast (which is not much bigger than the average) has been reported to displace up to 19cm during activity. This sort of excessive movement can do long term damage to the already weak naturally support structures of the breast, cause significant breast pain, and result in confidence crushing embarrassment.
Image source: She Science
What you need to know about sports bras
When it comes to sports bras here’s what you need to know.
Fit is the most important feature
If a bra doesn’t fit perfectly then it has no chance of functioning well. Naturally, the most important part of the bra fit is most commonly the part that women get wrong. That is, the band that runs around our ribcage. This is responsible for taking upwards of 80% of the weight of the breast and works to resist breast displacement during activity. This means if the band is too loose then the weight of the breast is shifted to the shoulders and breast displacement is not controlled while exercising.
Understand that crop tops and sports bras are not the same
While there is a time and place for pattern-cut crop tops produced in S, M, L sizing, their role should be limited to low impact activity. So the fit can be perfect, not just ‘near enough’, a sports bra must be produced in cup sizes (e.g. 12DD). Technical sports bras will also have undergone rigorous biomechanical testing in a purpose designed lab, will use technical fabrics, and will have been designed specifically to reduce tri-planar breast movement.
Non-underwired bras are not just for small boobs
There is a strong misconception that if you have large breasts your bra needs to have underwire. The actual role of an underwire is to deliver shape, so as to separate and round out your breasts. The underwire, however, does not stop your breasts from bouncing. Hoorah! This means that ladies of all shapes and sizes can go wire free if they want, so long as they are well fitted when using a technical sports bra.
Where can you send your clients for advice on sports bras?
She Science is a Melbourne-based sports bra store that specialises in catering for your clients with cup sizes A to K, and band sizes 6 to 24. They work with over 40 different styles from 13 industry leading brands so that they can meet the needs of every lady, regardless of their individual size, shape, activity demands and personal style preferences. Personalised fittings are available by appointment, 7 days a week and can be booked online.
Image source: She Science
Image source: She Science
If you are not in Melbourne then seek out a local lingerie retailer to work with. You will find the small locally owned stores tend to offer more comprehensive and reliable fittings, as well as a range of products that cater for the varying sizes and shapes of Australian women. If you’d like a specific recommendation feel free to get in contact with one of the She Science staff, who’ll be happy to point you in the right direction.
To find out more visit www.shescience.com.au
Article written by Tish Tily for the What’s New in Fitness Magazine.
Check out these articles:
Changing Your New Mum Goal Setting Language
Your new-mum client walks into the gym. You congratulate her on her recent arrival, move through her pre-exercise questionnaire and then it’s time for goal setting! An often overlooked aspect of working with clients is helping them to reframe their view of what health and fitness means. Jen Dugard, founder of MumSafe, shares some advice
The Underestimated Versatility of Sandbag Training
When we think of functional fitness and strength training, barbells, dumbbells, and high intensity cardio machines like the Technogym SkillMill might come to mind first. There are also some simple, yet highly effective tools that can be absolute powerhouses for functional fitness workouts such as BOSU, battle ropes and the humble, often overlooked sandbag. Sandbags
An Insider’s Guide To Securing Sponsorship For Athletes
Sponsorship is abundant, and it’s available to athletes of all levels from elites to beginners as well as clubs, sporting organisations, businesses and individual professionals. Now more than ever before, sponsorship is about the benefits you can give to your sponsors off the sporting field. Media, social media, social networking and brand ambassador activities are
Corporate Escapee Helping Others Find Balance From Burnout
James Zammit was inside a float tank, prepping for an upcoming interview when he decided he’d had enough of his corporate career. Fifteen years of long hours and what he described as a “toxic environment” had been taking its toll on his health and wellbeing. “I just decided, I’m not doing this anymore. I’m opening
Attract New Members By Offering Altitude Training At Your Facility
The fitness industry is always changing, and one of the newest trends gaining popularity is altitude training. Traditionally, this training was done naturally in the mountains, however, thanks to modern technology, we can now create high-altitude environments at sea level. This means that the same physical benefits are on offer to both elite athletes and
Can Sauna Therapy Help With Anxiety and Depression?
Millions of people deal with mental health issues like depression and anxiety every day. Many of them look for different ways to relieve stress, whether it’s from work or just feeling overwhelmed all the time. Among these, sauna therapy is becoming more popular due to the positive effects it may have on mental health. In
A Pilates and Recovery Franchise Opportunity For Investors
As demand for recovery modalities continue to rise and the popularity of Pilates keeps growing, entrepreneur David Altamura saw a gap in the health and wellness landscape. His successful studio, Wildsoul Wellness, is now available for franchising and opens up a real opportunity for potential investors and business owners to step into the Pilates and
TotalFusion Chermside Announces Exciting Expansion Plans
The team at What’s New in Fitness first visited TotalFusion Chermside back in 2018, when it was Australia’s newest studio concept – a heat-controlled, premium health and fitness facility built on the ethos of ‘movement as a way of life’ and a completely holistic offering that nurtures the mind and the body. The business has
Good Mood Food: Seven Foods To Boost Mental Health
A healthy, balanced diet can go a long way to improving your mental and physical well-being, but sadly it’s not a cure-all for the millions of Australians suffering from mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Judy Phillips is an Aussie foodie, personal trainer, and mental health advocate who has written two cook books