There's the frustration, the discomfort and the sheer humiliation...
Two-thirds of Australian women are risking permanent damage to their breasts, by exercising in the wrong bra.
Jane Kilkenny is an e-cup and a personal trainer, not a good combination when you can't find a bra with support.
"I have been reduced to tears in the frustration of trying to find the right sports bra," Jane tells ACA. "I've had a lot of injuries simply caused by lack of support in the breast area."
Jane now shares her experiences with her clients, educating them that a good sports bra is paramount to their performance.
"It is an absolutely essential piece of training equipment. Without the right support when you're exercising, sagging and drooping can be a major issue."
Maxine Windram is from Brava, a shop specialising in well-supported bras for larger women.
"There's more weight in a bigger bust, so more movement that can lead to bigger damage," Maxine says.
While nothing can be done to reverse the inevitable effects of gravity, there is a solution to slowing the sagging of breasts - and that is wearing good sports bra which will minimise the stretching of ligaments in our breasts during exercise.
Sally Berkeley says Berlei bras are rigorously tested in the biomechanics unit at the Australian Institute of Sport to ensure the best breast support.
"Berlei bras have reduced breast-bounce by up to 4cm in a B-Cup and over 8.5cm in a DD-Cup," Sally claims. "Breasts move independently so you can imagine a woman running, breasts actually move in a figure eight shape rather than up and down as we might imagine. We've really got to protect the bust sideways as well us just up and down with the compression at the top and at the side."
She says looking good on the outside starts with choosing the right bra underneath.
"You'll often spend over $250 on a pair of sports shoes, but what would you spend on your prized assets?"
And now the very latest research has produced anti-bounce bras that make intense exercise enjoyable again.
The best and latest sports bras:
Berlei High Performance: Berlei's number one selling sports bra. It has seamless moulded cups and is suitable for high impact and that delivers over 50 percent bounce reduction. 'Ultra Sonic' panels stop the breast from moving.
Brava's Freya Active: Brava's best selling bra, the Freya active, gives the highest level of support, it separates well, has an extra wide shoulder and around the back it has extra anchorage points for support.
Berlei Active Balance: A new sports bra by Berlei that's designed to have a 45-50 percent bounce reduction. The bra is designed for medium to high impact, like jogging, cycling and softball.
Brava's Enell Sports Bra: Oprah's favourite sports bra, the Enell is great for high intensity sports and particularly good for bigger busted women.
Berlei Electrify: This bra is designed for a younger girl and is also suitable for high impact, so it reduces breast bounce by over 50 percent.
Brava's Shock Absorber Sports Bra: Great for high intensity sports, it suits all bust sizes, even up to an H-Cup.
Contacts
BRAVA LINGERIE
487 High Street
Prahran East VIC
03 9529 3046
Monday to Saturday
10.00am - 5.00pm
www.bravalingerie.com.au
BERLEI BRAS
190 Dunmore Street
Wentworthville, NSW
1800 645 045
www.berlei.com.au
