Exercising with a 38D chest

I am so envious of women with smaller chests who can exercise without worrying about putting on a show if they aren't wearing double bras (regular + sports bra) or some similar type of armor.  Most clothes and exercise gear for women are made for As, Bs, or maybe even Cs but rarely Ds.  Lots of exercise bras specifically say that they are only made for an A, B, or C cup size.  I already have to be careful of what I wear in my regular clothes because something that is mildly low-cut on another woman will look quite revealing on me.  Most of the time, I just wear loose t-shirts when I exercise but even those don't hide the bounce when I'm not properly supported.  I've seen this happen to other women as well and it just isn't pretty.  Has anyone had particular luck with specific sports bras or exercise tops for supporting a D Cup or larger?  Thanks.

P.S. And if they didn't cost a fortune like all the full-support sports bras I have seen in the past then that would be fabulous!  But not necessary...

I am sorry to say No.... I posted the same ? and got zero replys Please if you find some where let me know and i'll do the same

I've always gone with Freya and Panache. 

They generally do 28-40 back and they actually start at D cup as they have been designed for this size range specifically (go up to J cup).  The last one I bought was a Freya one for running a half marathon (Freya Active 4001 - 32GG) and everything stayed where it should. 

I've tried cheaper brands but they always stretch and fall apart after a month, so they're a false economy.

I am a DD and find that wearing a small to medium size firm underwear tank top (those tight stretchy kind that are suppose to be slimmers) underneath my tee shirt or whatever I'm wearing to work out in. It helps keep the girls in place very well.  I know it's kinda hot during those summer months but makes things warmer in the winter.

Hey, a little extra sweat is good for the cause. Give it a try.

I have a champion sports bra, they make them specific for all sizes (I'm around a 40D). Supposedly A-C just need to be squished against your body. I'm sure you know that that doesn't really work for us, as they still bounce. It works really well if I'm running or something and it helps for jumping up & down (I think it could do better in that area though). I also have a workout top from walmart, i think it's danskin, that wicks moisture (the reason I bought it) and it has a little built in bra thing, which helps a little too. I'm not sure how much I paid for it, it was a few years ago, I want to say maybe $40?

Thank you everyone for your replies!  Its good to know that there are others who are having the same dilemma and also those of us who have found solutions.  I have definitely tried and so far rely on some of the combinations that you guys mention such as the bra plus tank-top with built in bra (thanks, tonip1103). 

jc_green, I think I am going to order the Freya Active 4001 now since a half marathon is exactly what I am hoping to do in the near future and a bra that will provide good support for that should be good for my other exercise activities.  Thanks for the recommendation!

j_wystup, would you recommend the Champion then?  The Champion 360 Max Support Sports Bra looked like it might be promising but I am always wary because I've tried many before without success.

Has anyone tried the Moving Comfort Women's Maia Sports Bra (sold at Dick's Sporting Goods website)?

I will be sure to post results once I've tried out some of these sports bras...Meanwhile, any additional recommendations are welcome!  Looking for the ultimate firm support sports bra for full busted women!

I feel your pain - literally! It is sooo painful to run, do jumping jacks, jump rope, etc.

What worked well for me (because I wasn't about to spend $40+ on a bra) - I got a cheap Danskin bra, but instead of 36DD, my bra size, I got it 36C.  Then I had to safety pin the shoulder straps to make them shorter (need to just sew them up really well).  I still jiggle, but it at least doesn't hurt (or hit me in the chin LOL).  I've thought about getting another and wearing them both - but I'm sweating by the time I put the one on. 

The other thing is - I try not to do a whole lot of "bouncy" exercises.  Jogging, I try to tighten up my chest muscles, and it seems to help a little (yay for pecs!).

When I started running, I got fitted for an Enell bra (http://www.enell.com/). Whenever I run/jog or do any activity with a bounce type motion, I'm convinced buying this bra was the best money I ever spent in my life. They're not pretty and they are a bit expensive but they are awesome for exercise; especially high impact actvity. If you're interested in them, don't let the online sizing chart fool you. Take the measurements. Don't pay too much attention to the "bra sizes" listed. I was, at the time of my fitting, anywhere from an F to an H (depending on style of bra) and managed to find one that fit. It's all about comfortable compression and band size. Now that I've lost 50lbs, I'm wearing one in a smaller size. Since I've had Enell bras for 6 months, I can't imagine running or doing type of major activity with any other type of bra.

Oh my GOD!  The Enell seems like exactly what I'm looking for!!  A firm support sports bra that is actually designed for controlling larger cup sizes and doesn't just happen to be made in a larger size but basically is the same design as a regular sports bra...  Thank you so much, sklator!  I knew this was the place to ask about this...  I'm definitely buying one and, of course, I'll let you guys know what I think.  :-)  Yay!

i mostly definitely do not have this problem (being a small B, i wouldn't mind some extra lol), but i get a catalogue called "title nine" and they have a very large selection of sports bras for all cup sizes. they specifically talk about avoiding the double bra problem. i've gotten some of the other stuff before and love it, so you should check it out! they also have some other really cute workout stuff.

Original Post by sklator:

When I started running, I got fitted for an Enell bra (http://www.enell.com/). Whenever I run/jog or do any activity with a bounce type motion, I'm convinced buying this bra was the best money I ever spent in my life. They're not pretty and they are a bit expensive but they are awesome for exercise; especially high impact actvity. If you're interested in them, don't let the online sizing chart fool you. Take the measurements. Don't pay too much attention to the "bra sizes" listed. I was, at the time of my fitting, anywhere from an F to an H (depending on style of bra) and managed to find one that fit. It's all about comfortable compression and band size. Now that I've lost 50lbs, I'm wearing one in a smaller size. Since I've had Enell bras for 6 months, I can't imagine running or doing type of major activity with any other type of bra.

^ Second this. I LOVE my Enell - I've trained and run in several endurance races (13K and half marathon) and it held the girls in place - no bounce. I think you'll love it!

My only complaint is that it's kind of hot in the summertime - I liken it to wearing a bullet proof vest ;)

Hi there,

I know how you feel. I have DDD and I have to double up too. I usually wear a super supportive standard underwire  bra (grab one of your old ones) and I throw a size-too-small sports bra over it, works like a charm. I only do that when I know I'll be 'bouncing' around (ie - step class, jogging or cardio classes). 

Lane Bryant has some pretty good bras and sport bras. They have a new one that allows you to adjust the straps (crossed in the back) for more support. 

Good luck!

I would definitely recommend the champion ones. The whole thing is that you have to find a company that specifically designs them for bigger sizes. Champion does that and is reasonably priced, so I'm a fan.

A 38D shouldn't be too hard to find but once you get out of the A-C range, you should definately start looking for your actual size not just one-size fits all or just a band number. 

My sports bra is from Freya and they do quite a bit of sizes. I wear a 30FF, sometimes G and it stayed put. I've also been eyeing a Shock Absorber Sports bra and I know they carry my size, too. The only thing about these guys is that they are on the expensive side. $60, give or take but if you've got more than a C-cup and are planning on exercising often, I'd recommend to just make the investment.

I haven't tried Enell. I was kind of wary of their 00, 0, 1, 2, 3, etc. sizing. According to their size chart, I'd be a 00 in the band and a 1 in the bust. So, I didn't want to risk a bad fit. They do custom sizing though. I'm a little cheap and the bra (which is about the same cost as my other bras anyway) + the alteration fees were a bit too much for me.  

Champion might work for you. They just have a small, medium, large kind of a sizing but I had one once and they seemed up to holding up larger than C-cups better than most.

Since your bra size isn't quite as rare as mine, you could also try Lane Bryant. I go shopping there with my mom quite often and I know they have 38Ds.

Original Post by titalisha:
I usually wear a super supportive standard underwire  bra (grab one of your old ones) and I throw a size-too-small sports bra over it, works like a charm. 

I agree.  Two or three crappy sports bras under a bra-tank seems to keep them in place enough for me to actually jog without giving myself a black eye or worrying whether I'm spiraling myself into a size long.

I haven't bought a new sportsbra yet (so expensive!) but I did find a new website where they offer video "bounce tests" of most of the sports bras I have been considering like the Enell and the Freya Active recommended earlier.  So, even if I don't buy anything from their website (maybe I'll find cheaper prices elsewhere?), I definitely appreciate the video bounce tests at herroom.com and (added plus) I think the store was started and is run by women...nice.

I have been wearing a regular sports bra + a couple of my bra-sized swimtops that I got on sale from Lands End for support which will work until I give in and order a real sportsbra.  I'm starting to wish that all the clothes I have bought over the years were athletic clothes/work-out gear.  I could live in those and when you are always wearing clothes you can work out in then you are more likely to work-out!  I wonder if it is possible to sew your own "high-tech" workout tops?  Like those double-vented workout tops that are $35 each...Naah, too much trouble.  :-P

yinyangrunner

I got myself a 36C from La vie en Rose, it's not a sportsbra, but it holds em tight enough to be one. Fits my 38D (they had an 38D one, but it was too big for me)

I'm in the small chested category, so I can only relate through my larger chested friends.  Either way it sucks to not find proper fitting bras.  When I was 30 lbs heavier, I had trouble finding bras because the size around wasn't big enough for the cup...44B or 44C can be hard to find :( 

At any rate, not sure if this site was mentioned but www.biggerbras.com carries sports bras for larger chested women, but they are $$$$.  Worth it though to keep the girls in place.  There is also Hanes - but I think they are kind of cheap.  I do like Champions products though.  Good quality in my opinion.

Good luck!

Wonderbra has a good sports bra,  comes in a box at the department store.  I was wearing mine when I read your post,  so I took it off to tell you the style # (lol),  but the writing has worn off!!  It is the 2-cup style  (not uni-boob/encapsulator style),  has Cool-max fibres for breathability,  and you can adjust the strap length.  Comes in black and white.  Same price as for regular full-support bras,  around $35-40.

I'm a 38D and I run in this bra,  do aerobics, skip etc.  It's not "bounceless"  but its very good.  The fabric of the cups is not stretchy at all, very firm.  It ain't pretty though,  puts me in mind of a strict East German/Russian "masculine" gym teacher,  if you know what I mean......  but my boyfriend (bless his heart) says he likes it!!

BTW, I'm in Canada,  so there may not be the same styles available,  but we usually have LESS selection than the States.  Good Luck!!

Try  www.titlenine.com

They specialize in larger bra sizes for a variety of sports.  I am only a 38 C, but I love the Champion model - underwire, with compression, but doesn't give you the dreaded uniboob.  I found some dirt cheap and at my Lord and Taylor ($7 as compared to $40) and bought all they had.  Now I scour the internet for them.

www.SierraTrading.com has the Maia sports bra and a couple of others at a huge discount.

I heard Enell was also excellent.  I think that's the one Oprah touts (if that means anything to you).