You probably know the saying “practice makes perfect”? It doesn’t hold up in my case.
I’ve been going to gym since I was 15, which means I’ve packed up my gym bag and sweat my life away more than 1300 times. Don’t ask me why, but even then, I still manage to forget something one time out of four.
Last Friday, just before stuffing my face at my boyfriend’s restaurant, I decided to go work out. I got to the changing room and started unpacking: running shoes, short socks, leggings, tank top, sports br… SHOOT! I forgot my sports bra.
Don’t get me wrong. In my everyday life, I’m a hardcore defender of the wild and free breasts. I wear a bra as often as I clean up my desktop; only when it’s REALLY necessary.
Totally panicked — I’m not even exaggerating — I stared at the wall and seriously considered going back home and accept my defeat. “You can work out tomorrow”, said my left boob. “You’re a strong and independent woman, you didn’t come all the way down here for nothing”, shoutet my right boob, clearly more of a feminist than the other.
I decided to let the two fight and texted my fave gym addict, my friend Élé, to get her input on such an existential dilemma.
Me: Élé! I’m at the gym and I forgot my sports bra and I’m not wearing any other bra…
Is it weird if I work out anyway?
HEEEEEELLLLP!!!
I feel super shy
Élé: No go
Free the boobies
Me: It’s not like if I had double Ds
Élé: Do it for you
Yay
Me: Haha I can’t believe it makes me so uncomfortable
Élé: It’s an unjustified taboo
It’s not inappropriate
Me: There’s a bunch of guys with man boobs working out anyways
Élé: You’re there to work out! Go shawty
Exactly!
Me: They’re about the same size as mine anyways
Élé: If it can make you more comfortable, there are so many girls with gigantic fake boobs working out without a bra at my gym and showing off their side boobs.
Me: I so don’t care normally
Oh…
Élé: Exactly
Me: Okay, I’m alright with my teeny-tiny boobs
Élé: So show them what class is, with or without a bra
Me: Haha, you’re the best.
(By the way, I have nothing against girls with bigger breasts, fake or real, working out without a bra. At that moment, it just gave me some perspective on my small As. #FreeAllTheNipples)
After my 5-minute pep talk, I finally started working out… and I was uncomfortable from beginning to end. I was holding my towel around my neck the entire time and I felt like all eyes were staring at my two clementines.
Worst part is that I’m not necessarily exaggerating. I’ve never seen a girl work out without a bra at my gym… For sure people notice when there’s one who looks like like Mel Gibson in Braveheart, screaming “Freedoooom!!!”, with her boobs flying away.
I know most girls wear a sports bra for its practicality, but for having experienced the gym like a hippie, I can surely tell you that it also conceals a certain discomfort. It’s the stare of others, or more like apprehending the stare of others, especially men, that’s annoying.
What do you think? Am I being paranoid? Has it ever happened to you? Who wants to start a Facebook group with me called “The Gym: The Land of the Free Boobies”?
Hahah I can’t even remember the last time I wore a bra 🙈
If you are the young lady who works out with a t shirt and no bra at my gym, I promise, I wasn’t looking at you, I was past you, looking at the clock.
Haha, nope. That’s not me ;)
I workout with no bra and I’m fine. I’m a B also so that’s probably why. Last time I check the research, not wearing a bra to the sport tend to be good for small or medium breasts (there is not enough data if you’re a D or over) : tonus of the tissue and position were improved on the long run contrary to popular belief. I think as long as it doesn’t hurt you or provoke a discomfort, you’re alright.
Oh wow, I didn’t know that! I was sure the impact of working out would stretch out the tissue faster and thus accelerate the loss of tonus, etc. Thanks for that info! xx