Wearing a sports bra is an essential part of any workout
An alarming three quarters of active British women admit they do not regularly wear a sports bra when exercising, according to a new study.
More than a third of those questioned do not wear a sports bra because they are worried about looking good while exercising.
The research by Shock Absorber, found one sixth claim they don’t like how a sports bra looks, 12 per cent don’t think sports bras give their breasts the right shape and style-conscious seven per cent won’t wear one if it doesn’t match their outfit.
All levels of sporting impact put pressure on the delicate breast ligaments which, when unsupported during exercise, can stretch beyond repair and lead to irreversible breast sag, discomfort and distraction. However, wearing a Shock Absorber sports bra can reduce breast bounce by up to 78 per cent.
A third of women will opt for a tight top and one in eight will go to the extent of wearing two bras instead, yet 70 per cent of women agreed an underwired sports bra could give them more support.
The study also revealed many women were unsure when they needed to wear a sports bra. Eighty-five per cent wouldn’t wear sports bra for yoga or Pilates, two fifths wouldn’t wear one for a dance exercise class and nearly one in five wouldn’t even wear a sports bra when running.
Some felt size mattered, with one in 10 claiming their breasts were not big enough to warrant the need for a sports bra, yet all breast sizes can suffer ligament damage when exercising without a sports bra.
Kirsty Kothakota, spokesperson for Shock Absorber, says: "Looking good when you exercise has a psychological effect on how you feel about working out. The Shock Absorber Flexi-wire gives a great shape and looks subtle under all gym wear, yet still provides all the support of a regular sports bra. The titanium underwire flexes with your body and won’t dig in, so it’s the perfect choice for women who prefer to wear an underwired bra for sport.”
Tagged in Health fitness tips