Sports bras and working out/running in public

GoffGirl1029
GoffGirl1029 Posts: 93 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
As I was pushin' my 10 1/2 month old, 20+ lb baby in his joggin' stroller and joggin' yesterday, I started thinkin' about my summer runs and how ridiculously hot it was, even at 5:30 in the mornin'. Now that I have a child, and my husband works night shift and sleeps durin' the day, my runs will have to be later in the mornin' AND with my baby=hot, miserable, fully clothed mommy. But then I started thinkin' about how, once I start tonin' up, runnin' in shorts and a sports bra really isn't soundin' like a bad idea-except I live in a small country neighborhood, with families consistin' of 30 year old moms and dads, teenage boys and older (60+ year old) , conservative couples. I imagined the little ol ladies starin' out their windows and mumblin' about how indecent it is to be half-dressed out in the open, with a baby, mind you! :noway:
Should it be socially unacceptable for me to do this? Should I just tough it out, "fully" clothed? Or should I say "If ya don't like it, don't look!" and keep on a-truckin? Anyone else have this problem? What did you do? I wouldn't wear just a sports bra until the flab is gone..:sick:
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Replies

  • SJ46
    SJ46 Posts: 407 Member
    You should go for it! A sports bra covers more than most swim suits so I don't see them as indecent at all.
  • watchhillgirl
    watchhillgirl Posts: 597 Member
    I would definitely do it. When I was thinner, that is all I wore. I hope to be able to get back to that weight, and will run with only the sports bra. As long as it holds me in... :-)
  • HMVOL7409
    HMVOL7409 Posts: 1,588 Member
    This topic comes up frequently; it's still no ones business. Some women have issues with it. Their issues are not mine and I could care less. My comfort levels that not even a wicking tee can provide on a 90+ degree day and 5-10 mile run means more to me than anyone's judgements or insecurities.
  • LoosingMyLast15
    LoosingMyLast15 Posts: 1,457 Member
    I imagined the little ol ladies starin' out their windows and mumblin' about how indecent it is to be half-dressed out in the open, with a baby, mind you! :noway:

    it's better than having a baby.... in a bar. LOL!!!!

    you could always buy a sports bra tank if you feel like you're going to be the "talk of the town" but not in a good way. they cover up more skin than just a sports bra but not as heavy as a sports bra and t shirt over.

    now in my neighborhood the men would be thrilled at the sight of a woman running by in sports bra and shorts but i would not feel comfortable having them stare and i'm pretty sure my husband would have an issue as well. i live on the water and it's one thing to be in a bathing suit on the water but a whole 'nother story running in my neighborhood in an outfit that might as well be a swimsuit.
  • jimmie65
    jimmie65 Posts: 655 Member
    Anyone who judges you for this has obviously not run in 90+ degrees. I've still got a gut but the shirt comes off when it's too hot.
  • susannahsutton1
    susannahsutton1 Posts: 372
    I have some very light long wicking tanks from Nike that I find more comfortable than being without a top because they keep the sweat away from your body
  • MichelleSawatzky
    MichelleSawatzky Posts: 44 Member
    GO FOR IT! :happy:
  • kbodnaruk
    kbodnaruk Posts: 67
    I wear a sports bra with a tank top (or layer 2 tanks) over it just because I don't care for the way I look in just the sports bra....not to mention I have an Enell sports bra to hold these puppies in and they aren't the "cutest" sports bra to be flaunting around...LOL :)
  • Laura42012
    Laura42012 Posts: 180 Member
    I live in one of those kinds of neighborhoods and wouldn't run in a sports bra but that's more "me" than the neighborhood. If you feel comfortable doing it then do it.
  • BarackMeLikeAHurricane
    BarackMeLikeAHurricane Posts: 3,400 Member
    I run in a sports bra in the summer. I don't see anything wrong with that. People wear bikinis at the pool that are more revealing.
  • imtrinat
    imtrinat Posts: 153 Member
    haha. I read this in my own little southern accent.

    I say go for it. If it makes you comfortable, then why not? You have all the bits covered and it's far more modest than what some people wear. Who cares, anyway? :) As Mae West said, "Those who are easily shocked should be shocked more often".
  • kmbweber2014
    kmbweber2014 Posts: 680 Member
    My neighbor hood sounds just like yours. I see girls running in just sports bras all the time. I might hate them out of jealousy :) but I've never heard a complaint from any of our neighbors.
  • mlb929
    mlb929 Posts: 1,974 Member
    It took me a couple years to get the nerve up to run in just a sports bra, but with temps at 80's marathon training this past summer, I decided no one was looking at some old lady running down the road anyway.
  • JacquiC72
    JacquiC72 Posts: 49 Member
    I have friend with a 6 month old baby and has started running again, with baby in pram. She has bought a pram especially for running, thicker wheels or something, so it's better for it.
  • thegirlnamedpearl
    thegirlnamedpearl Posts: 9
    If you don't mind, I say go for it. If its hot outside, people will understand why you're just in a sports bra! If it was winter, that's a different story :)
  • DigitalRain
    DigitalRain Posts: 45
    I ran today in one. Its HOT as hell here in the south and quite frankly I'm tired of burning up in this heat. I sweat a lot and even wearing a sweat wicking shirt or tank top doesn't help. Personally I dont care what other folks think any more abot this subject. I'm not going to suffer to make someone else feel comfortable.
  • Kassidi21
    Kassidi21 Posts: 267 Member
    Go for it! Let them think what they want in their homes, not working to better themselves like you are!
  • bannedword
    bannedword Posts: 299 Member
    I run in a sports bra when it's really hot.

    It's none of my business what other people think about me.
  • chunkydunk714
    chunkydunk714 Posts: 784 Member
    I know this is an old thread ......

    but FU CK what is socially acceptable. Do what you want ma. Whatever makes you happy. Then again, running naked would be a bit much....so that being said..as long as you're not running naked I think ur a-okay,.
  • SailorKnightWing
    SailorKnightWing Posts: 875 Member
    On sunny days I prefer to keep covered with a lightweight/light colored shirt to keep the sun off. It's actually cooler than just a sports bra. Don't worry about others, do it if you're comfortable with it. Just be sure to wear sunscreen!
  • LaurenAOK
    LaurenAOK Posts: 2,475 Member
    Would they judge a man for running shirtless? Probably not. There is nothing "indecent" about running in a sports bra and if others have a problem with it, that's their issue, not yours.

    Do what makes you feel comfortable :)
  • ironmonkeystyle
    ironmonkeystyle Posts: 834 Member
    Would they judge a man for running shirtless? Probably not. There is nothing "indecent" about running in a sports bra and if others have a problem with it, that's their issue, not yours.

    Do what makes you feel comfortable :)

    ^^^ this.
  • happycauseIride
    happycauseIride Posts: 536 Member
    I completely understand your situation. I live in a small town of 400 people. Plus I work in this town, so I know and interact with most of them too.

    When I do get to that point, I will stay with a sports bra tank top. Partly because all of my customers are men, (I work in agriculture) and also because I'm sure it would make my husband uncomfortable. A tank will keep me covered, not as cool as just a sports bra, but also hopefully not have people thinking badly of me and how I dress.
  • lewandt
    lewandt Posts: 566 Member
    It's none of my business what other people think about me.
    [/quote]

    I love that! I have to remember that one!

    If you can get away with it, i would go for it! Some day you won't feel like you can pull it off and will be sorry you didn't when you had the chance.

    Most of the women that i see running in the heat just wear a sports bra, i don't really think anything of it.
  • __Di__
    __Di__ Posts: 1,658 Member
    As I was pushin' my 10 1/2 month old, 20+ lb baby in his joggin' stroller and joggin' yesterday, I started thinkin' about my summer runs and how ridiculously hot it was, even at 5:30 in the mornin'. Now that I have a child, and my husband works night shift and sleeps durin' the day, my runs will have to be later in the mornin' AND with my baby=hot, miserable, fully clothed mommy. But then I started thinkin' about how, once I start tonin' up, runnin' in shorts and a sports bra really isn't soundin' like a bad idea-except I live in a small country neighborhood, with families consistin' of 30 year old moms and dads, teenage boys and older (60+ year old) , conservative couples. I imagined the little ol ladies starin' out their windows and mumblin' about how indecent it is to be half-dressed out in the open, with a baby, mind you! :noway:
    Should it be socially unacceptable for me to do this? Should I just tough it out, "fully" clothed? Or should I say "If ya don't like it, don't look!" and keep on a-truckin? Anyone else have this problem? What did you do? I wouldn't wear just a sports bra until the flab is gone..:sick:

    I wear a sports bra with a crop top over the top and I couldn't give a rat's **** who looks or what they think because it isn't them doing the running (otherwise they would understand) it is me and I get hot, sweaty and do not see why I should overheat just to keep somebody else happy.

    I stick on my bra, my crop top and i-phone with headphones and off I go, I don't look at anybody on the way and that's the way I like it :D
  • captmiddy
    captmiddy Posts: 147 Member
    Not that you were likely looking for a man's opinion but anyway:

    I would really say it depends on the sports bra, my wife has several and a couple of them I would probably drag her back inside before letting her go too far with it ;). But others cover her more than her regular bra and a T-shirt do at times so if it won't be revealing when you sweat in it, then do what makes you comfortable and don't worry about the rest of the world, they will catch up eventually ;).

    Now if my wife decides to read the forums for once after seeing I responded to a sports bra article " HI HONEY ! ;) "
  • VorJoshigan
    VorJoshigan Posts: 1,106 Member
    I had a similar conundrum in the park a few weeks back. My shirt was rubbing my nipple raw and I was really not wanting to be the shirtless running fat man for all the spectators in the park.

    Then I realized that it was really their problem, not mine.
  • kylamaries
    kylamaries Posts: 291
    Just go for it! If you're comfortable (and the bra fits correctly/covers everything that should be covered), that's all that really matters. I'm personally just not comfortable with doing so, and I actually envy women who are! It's your body, your run, and entirely your decision. :flowerforyou:

    ETA: I didn't know this thread was so old, but I hope you figured it out!
  • JingleMuffin
    JingleMuffin Posts: 543 Member
    This is a huge life goal of mine! go for it :)
  • nikkylyn
    nikkylyn Posts: 325 Member
    I think its totally fine if you are comfortable with it.

    Would I do it? Oh god never.. LOL.

    Im pretty large up top and very self conscious of it. I dont like the looks I attract in regular t shirts from men haha. If I was a C or smaller I might. But not the size I am now.. for myself I would at least have a tank top on but thats my comfort level. Do what feels right for you. Thats also a great goal to be able to wear just the bra again.. Good luck.

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