Big Bouncy Boobs and Group Classes

RoseAsRose
RoseAsRose Posts: 39
in Fitness and Exercise
I was wondering if any other well-endowed ladies out there dread jumping jacks, burpees, knee jumps, and other activities that were clearly designed by men (or women who are either smaller than a B or have fake boobs and don't have to worry). Even when I was at a healthy weight I had size DD breasts and with weight gain over the years (+ genetics) they have gone up to a GG.

Doing bouncy activities in small group settings makes me self-conscious because when I look in the mirror all I see is MY boobs going up and down. Moreover, they seriously can bounce up to my neck and make me feel like I'm choking! I also have a fear that they will get stretched out or lose firmness if I do too many bouncy activities....

I have invested in an AH-MAZE-ING Sports Bra ("The Shock Absorber") which has helped tremendously - but with boobs that weigh 7lbs each I still find these kinds of exercises uncomfortable.

Wondering if other women can relate - and what kinds of things you do to modify when you are in group fitness situations...
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Replies

  • Anastasiasosa
    Anastasiasosa Posts: 36 Member
    I've lost some of my fullness so I just wear one bra now but in the beginning I was wearing an underwire bra and a sports bra on top. The sports bra kinda squishes them down and keeps them jumping at the same rhythm and the underwire just adds support. :wink:
  • blackgem98
    blackgem98 Posts: 5 Member
    Hey there. I am one of those insensitive smaller than B instructors that often forget the woes of my more endowed partners in fitness. :-) I apologize to you and all of them, we just don't think when we have you bouncing all around. :-) I'm joking, of course. You have done the thing that I have suggested to Ladies, an amazing sports bra, and sometimes they double up and wear two. You can always change a jack into a squat, or just don't make it as bouncy. Trust me though, you are self concious, but so is everyone else in the class regardless of their breast size, I say this to say, everybody is paying attention to themselves. Rarely do they focus on someone else in the group. :-) We are all too busy watching what on our own bodies are jiggling. You have an awesome awesome weekend.
    Jackie
  • Shawnette97
    Shawnette97 Posts: 29 Member
    I feel your pain. I wear two sports bras and that seems to help.:smile:
  • JosieRawr
    JosieRawr Posts: 788 Member
    I don't do group classes, but it is seriously painful if I don't support myself properly... I wear my normal bra(to keep everything in place) and a tight sports bra(to pin it all down!) Good luck!
  • DistantJ
    DistantJ Posts: 155 Member
    I wear two bras, and plan to invest in a compression top to go over it as well. I'm a G, not a GG, but they are still completely embarrassing. I stand where I can't see myself in the mirror and try not to think about it!
  • JosieRawr
    JosieRawr Posts: 788 Member
    I've lost some of my fullness so I just wear one bra now but in the beginning I was wearing an underwire bra and a sports bra on top. The sports bra kinda squishes them down and keeps them jumping at the same rhythm and the underwire just adds support. :wink:
    exactly!
  • Cathy_ann913
    Cathy_ann913 Posts: 59 Member
    I attempted to do the 30 Day Shred, but when it got to the jumping jacks, I gave up. I've heard many people say they wear two sports bra, i haven't tried it, but maybe I will. From one bouncy bounce to another, work it out! Wishing you luck on your journey!
  • KettleBellHoe
    KettleBellHoe Posts: 161
    awesome problem to have
  • crowunruh
    crowunruh Posts: 246 Member
    I personally don't worry about it. I doubt the other people in the class are paying attention, they are too worried about what they doing.
  • nascarbettie
    nascarbettie Posts: 69 Member
    I've been trying to find a good sports bra. I'm a DDD and when I've worn my regular bra under my sports bra I have some major chaffing (keeps me from working out from it too). Any suggestions for a good sports bra? I've only found 1 I can wear and honestly I can hardly get it off when I'm soaked in sweat. I wish I could find one with a zipper or something.
  • RoseAsRose
    RoseAsRose Posts: 39
    I appreciate everyone's posts!!! So glad I'm not the only one who feels physically and emotionally uncomfortable with jumping jacks!!! [ and if I COULD find someone to hold them during the workout that would probably actually help =)

    I like the idea of an underwire bra under a sport's bra! The bra that I recently purchased that has really helped is the Shock Absorber - the website has a "Bounce O Meter" and lets you put in your size and then simulates what a girl your size looks like running while naked, with a regular bra, and with a shock absorber: http://www.shockabsorbersport.co.nz/wawcs0141481/bounce-o-meter.html

    That website is based out of the New Zealand though, so I actually purchased my bra from: http://www.herroom.com/

    Here are some other good blogs with reviews of bras for busty ladies that I came across in my "quest" for a supportive bra:

    http://www.bigbustsupport.com/sports_bras.html

    http://www.ugcs.caltech.edu/~cat/bra.html
  • RoseAsRose
    RoseAsRose Posts: 39
    You can always change a jack into a squat, or just don't make it as bouncy.

    That is a good idea! Still get the leg work out... Awesome that you are a fitness teacher btw!
  • RoseAsRose
    RoseAsRose Posts: 39
    I wear two bras, and plan to invest in a compression top to go over it as well. I'm a G, not a GG, but they are still completely embarrassing. I stand where I can't see myself in the mirror and try not to think about it!

    Yes - It makes me feel like I'm at some kind of burlesque show gone wrong... I like the idea of a compression top!
  • kittyr77
    kittyr77 Posts: 419 Member
    Hi
    glad you got the shock absorber.
    I dont think there is any reason that your boobs should be bouncing up and down more than a half inch. The secret is making sure the band size is really tight. yes it might not be as comfortable but its only for an hour or so, and with the best sports bra in the world you just will not stop the bounce unless that band is tight as that is where most of the support comes from (NOT the straps). I am a 34GG/H and dont bounce one bit! I too have the shock absorber, I can jump up and down for hours now :D
    Enjoy your exercise! x
  • KarenLamyman
    KarenLamyman Posts: 18
    Absolutley, intructor last night kept doing calf raises and jumping jacks total night mare. I wear a sports bra and a tight sports crop top, especially when rebounding. Feel for ya chick.
  • kittyr77
    kittyr77 Posts: 419 Member
    I've been trying to find a good sports bra. I'm a DDD and when I've worn my regular bra under my sports bra I have some major chaffing (keeps me from working out from it too). Any suggestions for a good sports bra? I've only found 1 I can wear and honestly I can hardly get it off when I'm soaked in sweat. I wish I could find one with a zipper or something.

    Its never going to be majorly comfortable but I wear mine for a couple hours at a time with no chafing and easy to get on/off. Its the D+ shock absorber. Make sure the band size is really tight, you should struggle to fit a finger under it. Because the band is so wide this isnt as painful as it sounds! Also, the higher the bra commes up at the top, the more it'll hold the girls down. I just tried this panache one and it was so low that every time i jumped the b(r)easts literally flew out the top, no good! No need for the double bra. That sounds sweaty and uncomfortable. A vest with lycra over the top helps too. Im a GG/H.
  • girlinahat
    girlinahat Posts: 2,956 Member
    quite frankly burpees and similar exercises are the work of the devil........

    I may try the double bra idea (at a 34D I am feeling quite titchy). But so often I see women running without sports bras and have to really really stop myself from shaking them by the shoulders and shouting 'WEAR A BLOODY SPORTS BRA!!!'


    sorry. I just needed to get that off my chest...
  • alliwithaneye
    alliwithaneye Posts: 163 Member
    I have this problem too and it hurts! (38D) I always had small b's and then had a baby and BAM d's! The husband appreciates them however they are such a nuisance. I found 1 workout bra that fits and hooks (success!) but can't seem to find a sports bra to fit over it. They all seem to be made for teeny tiny people >_< The shock absorber looks and sounds amazing but unfortunately I can't afford that right now or anytime soon :(
  • RoseAsRose
    RoseAsRose Posts: 39
    Yeah- the shock absorber is an investment - i had to save $$ and waited for a friend to buy it first and give me a review. Cheaper than a reduction tho...and it is well made so I'm thinking it should last for a while.
  • 00Melyanna00
    00Melyanna00 Posts: 221 Member
    Same problem here! (I am a 36 D).
    I bought an amazing sports bra from Nike and I have several different models of shock absorber.
    I find they work best when they are really TIGHT, the "I don't think I can breath properly" kind of tight. I never had to wear two, because the ones I have are doing a great job so far, but I am afraid I will have to buy new ones soon as I am losing weight and it's getting a little expensive.
  • KitchenAbs
    KitchenAbs Posts: 75
    When I had DD's I wore a sports bra that had padding to keep them in their normal shape instead of a 'hammock' style one where they just sat all flobbalobbly and that did the trick!

    Now I'm a C and they don't move at all XD
  • raechellg
    raechellg Posts: 30 Member
    several months ago i actually found some at walmart.. they had several styles the actually are very supportive and come in bigger cup sizes.. i was looking for a way to help eliminate the bounce factor without breaking the bank at the sporting goods store.. i did have to go with the size bigger around to make sure i got a cup size that would work but they do an amazing job.. talk about regretting it when i forget to change into them before zumba.. danskin i think is the brand..can't remember how it's spelled exactly. but i was shocked to find something at walmart for less than 15 bucks that works.. much better than the 50plus i was gonna have to spend at the sporting goods stores to get something more than a lil piece of material that would never have worked lol
  • gombolyu
    gombolyu Posts: 136 Member
    I am a 34 F, so I know what you meen. I don't go to group classes because of that. When I am at home, I wear 2 bras when I do my exercises, and I even hold my boobs with my hands sometimes.:) There are lots of jogger where I walk with my dog, and I often see runner women without a good sport bra. And I always wonder if they don't feel that?
  • kakiem
    kakiem Posts: 183 Member
    I've lost some of my fullness so I just wear one bra now but in the beginning I was wearing an underwire bra and a sports bra on top. The sports bra kinda squishes them down and keeps them jumping at the same rhythm and the underwire just adds support. :wink:

    You actually made me LOL with the "keeps them jumping at the same rhythm".

    :laugh:
  • TiffanyAching
    TiffanyAching Posts: 50 Member
    i'm a GG, i have an underwired Freya Active sports bra and have zero issue with bouncing. i can do 30DS and i run with no boob bother. it's a revelation, because the having of giant boobs was a major contributor to stopping being active in the first place as a self conscious teen, but it doesnt cross my mind now when running etc. if you're still suffering, you've got the wrong bra.
  • 21stcenturyfox
    21stcenturyfox Posts: 18
    I'm a 32DD and know exactly what you are all talking about.. but doubling up on bras can either be effective or even more painful. I tried that and ended up bleeding because the chafing was so bad :(

    Shock absorber sounds awesome but has anyone tried moving comfort bras? They have a huge range of styles and have user ratings on the site too but I'm not sure whether to invest just yet :s
  • mickeymygrey
    mickeymygrey Posts: 2 Member
    I'm a 36F and use a level 4 shock absorber and it holds everything in place with no issues - look at online big boob sites for cheaper offers than in the shop
  • meredith7801
    meredith7801 Posts: 3 Member
    I attempted to do the 30 Day Shred, but when it got to the jumping jacks, I gave up.

    same here!
  • MizzTatiana
    MizzTatiana Posts: 116 Member
    I've lost some of my fullness so I just wear one bra now but in the beginning I was wearing an underwire bra and a sports bra on top. The sports bra kinda squishes them down and keeps them jumping at the same rhythm and the underwire just adds support. :wink:
    <DD Same thing!
  • fabfindz05
    fabfindz05 Posts: 92 Member
    I'm an H, even after a 30lb weight loss.....
    I used to wear 2-3 bras when I rode horses. I finally found a bra, Wacoal, and I'm down to 1. I wear it when I run and there is still some bounce, but not as bad as before. This bra can be worn like a regular bra or you can cross cross the straps for extra support. Once you criss cross, getting the bra on is VERY tricky. I've learned to do it by myself.

    I might look into the Shock Absorber.

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