Sports Bras for Big Busts
"Help! Running Gives Me Black Eyes!

Sports bras for big busts are definitely worth their weight in gold.

Why? Because 'D' sized breasts can bounce an average of 6-8 inches when running! Ouch!

We spend about as much time going up as moving forward.

I have long given up on horse back riding, running stairs, and hop-scotching.

There are many things that our smaller sized sisters take for granted. Being able to exercise without wearing three bras and duct tape for added measure is one of them.

Is Excessive Bouncing a Health Concern?

Bouncing during exercise is not only embarrassing and annoying, but did you know that excessive bouncing can cause long lasting health effects?

Our breasts are held up by something called Cooper's Ligament. If this ligament gets stretched out it can cause your chest to sag. Bouncing can also lead to stretch marks and chaffing.

Aside from exercising, large breasts can cause health problems.

Is there anything out there that can contain the bounce?

There are several companies that are finally making high impact bras for big busts that work excellent during exercise, but before I mention specific brands, lets take a minute and talk about what to look to look for.

What to Look For

Don't buy one that you have to pull on over your head. For one, they're embarrassing to put on and second they will not offer you good support. If it's stretchy enough to pull on over your head then it's definitely not tight enough to hold you tight.
Look for a one that hooks in the front or the back.
It needs to be the right size to keep you held in tight. They tend to run smaller in size in order to do this.
Invest the time to find the right sized bra.
Look for material that wicks away moisture. Nylon works great for this.
Also the material that makes up your bra should not be stretchy. Try stretching it with your hands. Look for strong fabric.
A good sports bra for big busts will probably be ugly. The uglier the better. You're not trying to win beauty contests here, so it's okay.
It needs to have lots of re-enforced fabric, extra wide bands, and full coverage cups. No one will see it anyway, but they will notice you if you have to run with your hands supporting your chest. Now that looks funny.

Sports Bras Especially for Large Breasts

Now that you have some knowledge about what makes a good sports bra, you should have no trouble finding one that will work for you.

If you're looking for a couple ideas I will recommend two.

1. Enell 100 Sports Bra
Of course this is the Oprah Sports Bra. She wears it (so does Drew Berrymore). It's suppose to be the grandpoohba of sports bras for high impact activities (i.e. hopscotch, jumprope, oh and running). The Enell Sports Bra will support you better than any duct tape ever could, and less painful to take off. It hooks in the front and has extra reinforced straps in the back.

And comes in a variety of colors.

Here's what some ladies are saying about the Enell Bra

Before getting this bra, I was wearing literally 4 bras at a time in order to avoid bouncing. I LOVE this bra. It's comfortable, there is no tugging on the shoulders. It is absolutely supportive, and I got the red one so it's pretty. It's a very substantial garment and very well made. I couldn't be happier.

I will agree with other reviews in that the bra is hard to get into the first time but it is worth it and it does get easier the more you wear it! I do not bounce at all which now means I can jog without pain and worry. It does get hot but once again all worth it.

I love this bra! This is my second one. I finally don't have to double up on sports bras when I run. Yes, it's ugly, but it is so worth the money.

click here for more about the Enell Sports Bra

2. Shock Absorber B109 D+ Max Sports Bra
The Shock Absorber Support Level D+ runs up to size G cup. The company claims that it will reduce movement up to 74%. I own this bra in a size 36F (which I think runs a little big) Read my review below.

My Personal Review of the Shock Absorber D+

Pros:

-It does reduce most movement, especially the jolting, downward movement. There is some movement from the top of the breasts at the top of the bra, but that might be because my cup size was slightly too big. (hope that makes sense)

-very well made

-nice, lightweight material

-only has three hooks in the back. All my big bust sisters will understand why this is listed as a 'pro'. Am I the only one out there tired of having to wear an armored tank for a bra? My dream is to wear small, feminine, dainty bras. When it comes to big bust sports bras, this is as close as it gets to all three, while providing the much needed bounce controll.

Cons:

-definitely holds you tight. (but not uncomfortable)

- I can understand why a few women don't like how they look while wearing this bra. It does make the breasts have a pointed look to them. I'm sure it's more noticable the bigger you are.

Additional Family Review

My sister got the shock absorber a couple months before I did. She's a long distance runner, competing in cross country throughout high school and college. I would classify her as having a 'baby big bust' (size C) and she absolutely raves about the shock absorber sports bra. Here's her review.

"Boy, am I won over! After having spent a third of my life in competitive running I was amazed that I was ever able to run at all without it. Any highschool or collegiate runner out there with a big bust, this is the bra for you."

(she really, really, really loves this bra- trust me, I've heard about it over and over)

click here for more about the Shock Absorber

My Final Verdict

If you wear a C,D, and maybe a 'small' E then the Shock Absorber D+ is most likely the sports bra for you

If you are bigger than an E, I personally would go with the Enell .

Both bras are excellent choices for a large breasted woman.

Hope this will help put the spring back in your step and keep it out of your big bust.
Happy Exercising!

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Reconstruction Alert!

boob job

My site is currently undergoing an extreme makeover and I'm not quite done yet, so some pages may look different.

Betcha Didn't Know This

The first sports bra was created in 1977, when two American women took a pair of jockstraps, cut them apart, and sewed them back together.

They dubbed their creation the Jogbra.

I hope they washed them first.

Crazy 8's

Joanna Scurr, a biomechanics professor at the University of Portsmouth in England, studied 70 women with bra sizes ranging from A-cup to extra-large (DD, E, FF, G, H, HH, J and JJ were included).

Each woman walked, jogged and ran while wearing different bra types.

During the exercise, Scurr took biomechanical measurements, including the amount of breast movement in three directions: up-and-down, side-to-side and in-and-out.

Her findings:

That while walking, the women's breasts moved relatively the same distance in all directions. However when we run, the overall pattern resembles a figure 8.

Thinking about Breast Reduction Exercises?

If you're thinking about losing weight and beginning an exercise program to decrease your breast size, this tool might help.

It's an online membership club where you can download workouts directly to your computer,video ipod, cell phone, etc.

So you can take professional workouts with you to the gym, or to your basement.

It's like having a personal trainer with you 24/7, only cheaper! Check it out-

Special Note:
You can read how weight loss affected my breast size by reading my story on my Breast Reduction without Surgery page.

See the difference a good sports bra can make

One woman liked the Enell Sports Bra so much that she made a youtube video in it's honor.

It shows her running in a regular sports bra and an Enell Sports Bra . The difference is stunning and the Chariot of Fire soundtrack made me smile.

Thank you Enell Sports Bra Lady!