9 facts about boobs, bounce, and exercise we bet you didn't know.

When I was asked to write about boobs and exercise I wasn’t sure whether I should be insulted or flattered.

Yes, I have boobs, and yes, having my children significantly increased the size of my boobs.

I remember there was once a time when I could wear no bra. Now I’m three cup sizes larger and those days are memories far off in a distant past life. I haven’t been able to do that for the best part of a decade. Suffice to say exercise is something that I have to prepare well for.

We all know breasts have an effect on what style of exercise you do, how often you exercise and what gym gear you wear but we bet you didn’t know these facts about boobs, bounce, and exercise.

Just as an FYI, this post is sponsored by Berlei. But all opinions expressed by the author are 100 per cent authentic and written in their own words.

1. Female breasts have been recorded to move up to 21cm during exercise. A B-cup moves up to 8cm.

Yes that is a B cup! For anyone who is larger than a B cup your boobs are probably moving more than 8cm. That’s a fairly significant amount. And the bigger the boob, the bigger the bounce.

2. 72% of women experience breast pain during exercise.

Almost three quarters of women who are trying to be healthy and exercise are experiencing PAIN. And not the good ‘it was leg day today’ pain, the bad ‘OMG I need a better bra’ pain. Physical pain. That is not fair.

3. The right sports bra reduces bounce by 60%.

If my boobs are going to be bouncing upwards of 8cm (ok let’s face it I’m so not a B cup it’d be WAY more than 8cm) I’m going to look after them. Berlei are the only sports bras proven by the AIS to reduce bounce by up to 60%.

4. Without proper support you can damage your breasts while exercising.

Exercise puts strain on the ligaments in our breasts. If we don’t look after our breasts properly we can actually cause irreversible damage to them.

5. Regular exercise will perk up your breasts.

This happens as exercising this area works the pectoral muscles and these are the muscles holding the breasts higher. If there ever was a reason to exercise more this has to be it.

6. The average breast weighs 0.5 kilograms.

That’s a lot of weight to be bouncing up and down while we run. No wonder it hurts so damn much.

7. Breasts keep growing past puberty.

Most of growing through puberty finishes, for women, as teenagers but breasts will continue to grow into your early twenties. By mid-twenties your breasts will have reached their full size. After this, breasts will then only get bigger if you fall pregnant, gain weight and sometimes birth control will increase their size.

8. Our breasts are butterflies.

The University of Portsmouth conducted studies and found breasts move separate to the body during exercise and they move in the formation of a butterfly. It sure doesn’t feel that pretty.

And just in case you were wondering:

9. The first sports bras were actually male undergarments.

The first sports bra, named a ‘jockbra’, was actually made in 1977 when a lady sewed two jockstraps together. Yes. That really happened.

I, for one, am glad we’ve come a long way since then. And ladies, just make sure you have the right bra for you.

How do you avoid pain during exercise?

We’ve teamed up with Berlei, who are giving you and your ‘fiercest friend’ the chance to win 1 of 5 major prizes, including a Berlei Sports Contour Shift Bra (valued at $69,95) PLUS $200 worth of spa pampering for each of you to enjoy.

To enter, simply nominate a fit and healthy friend and tell us in 50 words or less why they are your fiercest friend and why you should both enjoy a ‘bra and spa’ experience. Bra-Vo!

CLICK HERE for your chance to win. Good luck!

For the competition T&Cs, click here.

Did you know an unsupported B cup can bounce up to 8cm during exercise? Ouch! Protect your breasts from permanent ligament damage and breast tissue sagging with a Berlei Sports bra. The only Sports bras tested and proven by the Australian Institute of Sport to reduce breast bounce by up to 60%.

Berlei.com.au