The right sports bra makes a huge difference when running, especially when you have big breasts. And it doesn't matter if you're an A or G cup, your boobs move when you run and that can be painful!
In fact, studies have shown that breasts move during exercise by up to 21cms in a figure of eight pattern...21cms! OMG!
The good news is that proper support reduces or even eliminates the problems associated with breast movement during sport. A sports bra can reduce breast movement by a similar amount no matter what your cup size.
If breast movement is not reduced, there is a risk of irreparably damaging the fragile Cooper’s ligaments, resulting in breast sag. Urgh!
A study by the Portsmouth University had a group of women run 5km in a normal bra and a sports bra. They found that when wearing a sports bra, participants significantly reduced their chest and shoulder activity. This reduction in muscle activity means your body is using less energy, because it's running in a more efficient technique.
So, not only does a sports bra reduce breast pain, but it also reduces painful muscle tension in the upper body, giving you a more efficient run style.
As a G cup runner my go-to is the Enell SPORT as it straps those girls down and let's me focus on running vs bouncing boobs!
This isn't a sports bra that you wear around the house all day (the Enell LITE is perfect for that) so when you first go to try it on, be prepared for it to have a tight fit. Although, we still want you to be able to breathe!
So here re some tips to find the right sports bra for all you runners out there.
1. Measure yourself!
Over time our body changes and breast size fluctuate (often monthly) so remember to always get measured every time you're about to invest in a sports bra.
2. What style of sports bra do you preferred?
Do you prefer no underwire? Padding? Racerback? Back or front closure? Crop style like the Berlei ProElite?
3. Bands and Straps
The band is responsible for 80% to 90% of the support of the bra. It should fit comfortably around your torso, parallel to the floor. The band should be snug but you should be able to slide two fingers between the band and your skin. The band should never ride up toward your shoulders.
Straps are responsible for only 10% to 20% of the bra support, their primary function is to even or level the bra. They should stay in place without digging into your shoulders.
Women with larger busts should look for wider bands that help distribute the weight better and provide more comfortable support like the Enell SPORT:
Or the Royce Aerocool High Impact Sports Bra:
Hope that helps and if you have any questions you can get hold of me here
Happy running :D