Sports Bras and Me

This topic is really only of interest to the female crowd. That's not to say that I would discourage any male readers - but, you know, you might be WAY more comfortable coming on back tomorrow. This is a discussion of boobies, yes, to be sure - but I will venture to say it's NOT scintillating in any way, shape or form. :)

I have a love/hate relationship with work out bras. I love them for what they do - if they are utilized correctly, they reduce or even eliminate bounce, making the wearer far more comfortable as she goes about her exercise. Especially if she's doing something high impact - I've been known to scream (in my car, only in my car, and not at random women running down the street) "For the love of God, get a supportive bra on! It hurts just to watch you run!!"

You never want to watch The Biggest Loser with me. I will never understand why the powers that be over there haven't wised up the reality that they could get a good bra sponsor to come in and fit those women - and they'd make money while doing it. Everything is an advertisement on that show, anyway, why not do something that actually HELPS people?

<tangent>

For five years now, I've been wearing the Enell. I refer to it as my German Prison Matron bra, and I'd swear to you that it's not far from the truth. It has 12 hooks up the front and it keeps me so firmly in place that I have, quite literally, zero bounce. And that's a huge accomplishment, because I wear a 30E bra. The trouble with this bra lies in the fact that it's SO encompassing that I feel as if I'm wearing a vest. I can't wear racer back sports tops or anything that's cut much lower than my collar bone because this bra, it's in quest to be all covering, IS all covering. The back of the bra is at least as covering as the front, if not more. And it's not pretty, not at all. You do end up with the "Squashed Uniboob", that's for sure. I'm not an overly modest girl, and so, occasionally, I've worn that bra with one of my new racer back tops but it's not that cute "Oh, your bra straps are hanging out!" look - but it's really ugly. Like, REALLY ugly.

So I've been on the look out for a new workout bra for quite a while. But I've got really high expectations - I am feverishly addicted to the "No Bounce" aspect of the Enell - I just want it to be a bit more low cut and not so full of fabric in the back. I've tried on multiple bras at sports stores, trolled online forums, and when I take the Core class Monday mornings (offered at the local running store, it's an amazing work out and if you are local, you should really think about attending) I spend a lot of time looking over the bra selection while I'm doing squats and rows and kick butts and trying to think of something, ANYTHING, other than how much MORE torture is left. Today I decided to finally try on a few of the store's offerings. I tried the ones recommended by Moving Comfort for "High Impact/Larger Busts" - the Maia, the Juno, the JubraLee - and was totally unhappy with each one. I finally ended up with the Callie - although I don't love it, as it lets some bounce happen, but not as much as a regular bra AND it has underwire and I'm not sure how I feel about that. At least it doesn't look like a sleeveless straightjacket. Don't get me wrong, I'll never get rid of the Enell - I just want something else less ugly.

I HATE that this is so much work. WHERE are the pretty bras that are supportive and flattering? I don't mean daily bras - bras have come a long way in the past ten years and I've got that covered, thanks to a few trips to The Full Cup - and if you haven't had a professional bra fitting, get yourself to one post haste. I mean the exercise gear. I'm not a huge girl any longer, but I find that most of the cuter stuff is created for girls more shaped like my daughters - not women who work out really hard but have a post 40 figure that's had a baby or six.

I just want to have a bra that keeps me from bouncing when I'm doing mountain climbers or burpees or jogging intervals - and, apparently, I'm looking for the moon.

Beauty Maven Giveway here

Comments

[bama Cheryl]

Carmen, have you checked out the Title Nine site? (www.titlenine.com) They have a huge range of bras for every type of body and they are rated by all their staffers who have worn them. The drawback is that it's online so you can't try them on. I have an Enell too and love it/hate it just as much. I purchased a Glamorise front closure workout bra (English spelling)from there and it's pretty good. Not completely without some bounce (there the Enell really rocks) but much better than anything else I've found and it's not a uniboob - it has cups! Might be worth a browse on their site. Good luck!

[christina]

I have a similar problem, but the other end of the spectrum. I am embarrassingly small-chested and I have yet to find a workout bra that actually fits me without smashing me completely flat. I just use regular bras and endure it. Sigh . . .

[Beth]

victoria's secret has a huge online sports company (I think it's VS Sports?, I'm not sure). I know they have some really great non-squashers for us bigger boobies, and they're actually cute!

[Nicki]

I'd love to point you in a good direction, bra-wise, but I am still resorting to doubling up on sports bras. So pretty. :)

[Brandy]

I'm not a "big" big girl, but my ribcage is my issue, not my actual cup size. I loved the c-9 Champion bras that were out about five hours ago, but they stopped making them as well, with cheaper and less, um, thick(?) material. They even separated a bit! I miss those bras.... I prefer racer back, as pulling up my straps drives me loony.
Have you tried Athleta? I'm afraid as I'm still searching for a decent replacement I don't have much to recommend. Sorry! Best wishes!

[Brandy]

Yikes. YEARS not hours.

[liz]

I am 34 G for Ginormous, and while I never wear an exercise bra because I haven't ever found one that adequately tames the Ever-expanding Rack of Doom (yes! Still growing!), I do have a smidge of assvice.

Go to Nordstrom's (or specialty bra shop - NOT Victoria's Secret) and get fitted again for your regular bra. I've seen pictures of you and if you're a 40, I'll eat my Fayreform Daisy.

BiggerBras.com sells all sorts of good bras and bathing suits for folks in our size range.

[Nelson's Mama]

I share Christina's issue - every workout bra that I buy smashes me flat...all the way even with my ribcage!

I have insomnia, so I see info-commercials in the wee hours of the night. Have you seen the ones for the Genie bra?

[Mariah]

I love my Enell because of the zero-bounce feature, but yes, it's ugly. I'm even embarrassed to get changed into it front of my husband (of 30 years!) because it's so ugly! It's the only thing that I've found that works for me though, at 38FF. I used to be a 36C and I'm hoping that once I get the rest of the weight off I'll be around there again, but for now, if you find something cute that works, do tell!

[addy]

Ya sorry - no assvice here. Either they smush me flat or just let things flop all ove the place. Let me know if you find anything better. I have pretty much given up at this point.

[Elizabeth]

I'm a 46D and have the same problem. I don't work out as hard as you do. I barely work out at all but still would prefer not to bounce.

[elz]

I'm a runner with a triple letter cup size and the Moving Comfort bras are my go-tos. No moving, only grooving!

[Sandra]

have you tried wearing 2 sports bras? when my trainer had larger breasts, she would wear 2 bras to keep the girls from bouncing. i've never even noticed if mine bounce, but of course when i go later i'll be looking in the mirror for the bounce of mine and other ladies breasts. LOL

[Mary @ A Simple Twist of Faith]

Natori-expensive but worth very penny.

[amie]

The very best part of the big boob sports boulder holder for me is after the workout, drenched in sweat, trying to peel the damn contraption off. My sprt bras r champion underwire that pull over your head and then fasten in back. They r old, ugly,and hike the uniboob look of a smooshed mushroom to about and inch below my chin.The effect looks something like a flotation device, however does a decent job of helping things stay but.Started Crossfit workouts about 6 weeks ago, so the good news is I am in way too much pain to notice what the boobs r doing :)