Exercise has the potential to change your breast size, and conversely your breast size may affect the type of exercise you choose to perform. Muscle-toning exercises may increase your breast size or change the shape of your breasts; weight loss brought about by exercise may reduce the size of your breasts. Consult your doctor if you are concerned about any changes in your breast size or shape.
Weight Loss
If you are exercising for weight loss, it is natural to experience some reduction in breast size as you lose weight in general. If you are concerned about your breast size and shape as you lose weight, it is best to lose weight steadily rather than quickly -- this way, your breast tissue and skin will have time to adjust as you lose weight. According to an article in the August 2004 issue of the journal "Seminars in Plastic Surgery," losing a lot of weight quickly can often lead to loss of elasticity in breast skin, as well as changes in breast shape and position on your chest.
High-impact Exercise
High-impact forms of exercise, such as running or tennis, can be uncomfortable or even painful if your breast size is relatively large. Women with large breasts may find that running causes breasts to bounce, causing pain in the breast area. Pain may also be experienced in the back or shoulders as a large-breasted woman attempts to support her breasts during high-impact exercise. Good posture and a supportive bra are essential for high-impact exercise, regardless of your breast size.
Low-impact Exercise
Low-impact forms of exercise -- such as swimming -- can reduce the strain on your breasts during a workout and therefore reduce the impact on your breast size and shape. Muscle-toning exercises can tone and shape your breasts as you lose or gain weight. In water-based exercise, the weight of your breasts is supported by the water -- this can relieve breast-related upper body pain if you find this to be a problem during high-impact exercise.
Sports Bras
According to Medical News Today, selecting an appropriate sports bra is essential for maintaining or improving your breast size and shape. Over-tight bras may constrict your breathing, while a bra that is too large will fail to provide the support your breasts need. Negative effects of the wrong kind of bra include the development of breast sagging, tendon damage or stretch marks. If your breasts are large, you will need a compression-type sports bra, fastening in the front.
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