It is estimated that 3 out of 4 women do not wear a sports bra when they exercise. Recent research by leading sports bra manufactures and the British School of Osteopathy has brought to light how damaging this can be. The average breast size (36C) weighs between 250 to 300 grams, though in our opinion based on what we sell in Fishnets, the average size is closer to a 34DD... So without a sports bra your breasts can move an incredible 14 cm during the most high impact sports. It seems strange that so many women do not think about a sports bra, we all wear the correct footwear to the gym, we often have specific clothes to work out in, so why not the correct bra? Maybe women just do not know why a supportive sports bra needs to be worn, here comes the science bit!

There are no muscles in the breast, it is made up of glandular tissue and fat, the only thing supporting your breasts is the Cooper’s ligament. Ligaments, unlike muscles, can stretch beyond repair. When this happens there is nothing to support the breast and you can never repair the ligament (well, without surgery...) so it is imperative that you wear a good sports bra!
Unsupported breasts can lead to back pain, stress on bones and the trapezius muscle (a muscle which connects the shoulder to the back) which often leads to breathing problems. The Cooper’s ligament naturally stretches over time though vigorous exercise can speed up the process and lead to droopier breasts. As we are all going to the gym to get fit and look better, droopy breasts should not be part of the plan!

We stock sports bras by several designers: Shock Absorber, Triumph, Royce and Panache. We have a wide range to ensure that we find the best bra for the type of exercise you do and your breast size.

Shock Absorber is the UK’s number one sports bra manufacturer. They combine technology and comfort and are dedicated to research and development. They have found that women fitted with the correct Shock Absorber can reduce their breast bounce by up to 74 per cent. Using technologically advanced fabrics with components such as silver fibres to fight bacteria, Shock Absorbers are some of the best sports bras available. The company has developed 4 impact levels to ensure you are aware of the correct bra for the impact level of the sport you are doing. One of the reasons Shock Absorber are at the forefront of sports bra research was the implementation of the Shock Absorber Sports Institute (SASI). Previously, sports bras had only been tested on smaller breast sizes, only the vertical movement of the breast had been taken into consideration and testers were only monitored for one stride during running at 12km/h. SASI overhauled this research and implemented using testers of different sizes, now up to 36G, monitoring for 5 strides, at all speeds and in all conditions and finally 3D movement was analysed. Movement was tracked using infra red cameras and 3 activities were monitored: static, jumping jacks and on a ramped treadmill. Comfort levels were also monitored. It was discovered that 3D bounce increases sharply in the transition from walking to running, however it then soon levels off. The implication gained from this proves that a sports bra is needed during much gentler sports too.

Shock Absorber use six different performance enhancing fabrics in their products; Coolmax, X-Static, Supplex, Meryl Actisystem, and Lycra. Further details about these fabrics will be available on our fabrics section of the help and advice.

Our next supplier, Royce, has been a leading supplier in maternity wear and non wired support bras. This background has given them a clear understanding of producing supportive, comfortable bras without wires. The sports bra that they produce is impact free for maximum support and is available up to J cup. The outer layer is 100% cotton and the moulded cup lining is poly/cotton mix to naturally take away moisture from the surface of the body. The bra is cleverly designed to look like a crop top so it can be worn on its own during exercise with a high neckline and concealed fastening. The wide lower band not only looks more like a crop top but also helps to support the bust.

Triumph sports bras all offer strong support with extra comfort, incorporating seamless cups, cushioning, extra flat seaming and specially positioned fastenings to avoid chaffing and irritation. Their sports bras come in an excellent size range: 32A - 42F (even if you are 32A it has been shown that the Cooper’s ligament needs to be protected). Triumph also guarantee that their sports bras are free of substances such as dye and additives which when sweating during exercise can affect the skin more.

Panache have an excellent sports bra available in cup sizes DD-G. The only sports bra we stock with a wire, it gives excellent support. When women do the bounce test in the changing room this bra really does its job! The fabric is thick to provide extra support and incorporates wicking technology to take moisture away from the skin. The wire is cushioned for comfort and the bra is designed like a crop top to be worn on its own. The covered fastening at the back makes this bra comfortable enough to do floor work in.

Over 9 million women out of 12 million who regularly exercise don’t wear a sports bra, hopefully this will change - for the good of your breasts!