5 reasons why you should wear a sports bra for your home workout!

Collaborative Post | I am a complete convert to the home workout! Home gyms have grown hugely in popularity since the pandemic, whether it be a corner of your bedroom, a spare room, or a purpose built space in or outside of the house. For a while, I was lucky enough to have our log cabin as a home gym but unfortunately it has now had to go back to being used as my husbands office (temporarily I hope)! But whether you like to do strength training, running, power walking, HIIT workouts, yoga, weight lifting or follow a Youtube video ... the right workout kit is vital. It is all too easy quickly change into leggings and a t-shirt and set off for a run or start a workout, but how often do you make sure you are wearing a proper sports bra to support your breasts?

I am owning up .... I don't! But we should - the importance of a sports bra or a properly supportive, fit for purpose, running bra cannot be underestimated. It is essential!

A good sports running bra is an essential part of your workout kit (Photo by erica steeves on Unsplash)

5 reasons why a good sports bra is essential:

1. Prevent connective tissue damage to your breasts
2. Avoid premature sagging of breasts.
3. Stop uncomfortable breast bounce!
4. Protect the cooper's ligaments
5. And increase your confidence levels!

Wear a sports bra for your workout routine at home! (Photo by Jade Stephens on Unsplash)

Prevent connective tissue damage to your breasts

I have small breasts so I have kind of relied on just my regular bra but our everyday bra just isn't going to give us the support we need! And apart from the obvious saggy breasts we really do want to maintain our breast health as well. Breast size is not relevant, all breasts need a supportive bra.

The female breast is complex and we need to look after them. Breasts are composed of connective, fatty tissue, lobes, lobules, ducts, lymph nodes, blood vessels and ligaments. 

And we can do permanent damage to our breasts if we do not ensure we give them the right support especially during repetitive or high-impact exercise.

Not every running bra is created equal so just like a normal bra, grabbing one on Amazon or in the supermarket isn't recommended!

Avoid premature sagging of breasts

What a marathon runner needs is very different to what someone doing a yoga class needs.

Low impact exercise includes yoga and pilates and walking, and there may be less bounce in any breast movement but it is still possible to get some breast pain and discomfort.

Medium impact exercise includes weight lifting and cycling, the type of workout session that means more rapid movement of breasts.
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High impact exercise includes running, dancing and team sports like football and netball and will need the maximum proper support.

​So remember, the size of your breasts is not relevant, but impact level and making sure you have better support to prevent sagging is essential every time you do a workout.

Stop uncomfortable breast bounce

My first complaint with sports bras is they are so damn difficult to put on! I asked on my Instagram last year for advice on where to buy a comfortable sports bra that you don't have to put on over your head (and end up performing houdini type movements to get the thing off)! I want a wireless sports bra with enough support for my choice of workout that does up at the back (or front) like a traditional bra.

There are so many different styles out there but why do so many have criss cross features and multiple straps, they look very stylish and I am sure that the details are all part of the necessary design features to ensure our breast tissue is fully cared for but I still favour simplicity as well as functionality.

A few fitting tips for a supportive sports bra that will stop uncomfortable breast bounce.

• Your sports bra should sit comfortably on your shoulders and not slip off.
• Make sure your breasts feel secure and there is no bouncing about when you move or jump.
• Ensure you have full coverage for your breasts and no spillage at the sides!
• The underband should feel supportive, be tight but not restrictive neither should it be lose!​

I favour a proper sports bra with a back fastening (Photo: Brooks Running)

Protect your cooper's ligaments!

The cooper's ligaments are located under the skin of the breast, and they connect to the tissue surrounding the chest muscles, it is the cooper's ligaments that maintain the shape and structure of the breast and help to prevent sagging.
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Remember to replace your sports bra or running bra regularly, this ensures the fit continues to be spot on and your running bra looks after your breasts!

Increase your confidence levels

Whether we are wearing a sports bra or running bra, exercising or just having a day out, it is important to wear underwear we feel confident in, not only because it looks amazing but because we know we are doing the best we can to look after our body and maintain the shape of your breasts.  A properly fitted sports bra can do wonders for us so don't skimp on investing in a good one.  Wearing workout gear is just as important for our self confidence as wearing our favourite dress on a night out.

Finally don't forget to look after your sports bra properly ...

• Wash your sports bra after every use.
• Use a lingerie bag (or hand wash) and make sure all fastenings are done up.
• Don't uses any fabric softeners.
• Lay flat to dry.
• And replace your sports bra once it starts feeling lose or is looking tatty!

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Disclaimer: this is a collaborative post