#exercise while binding

[shapeshiftersvt]

Can you exercise in a Shapeshifters binder?

I mean, yeah.

The Pinstripe. Relaxed fit.

Learn more about safe binding while living your life.

[shapeshiftersvt]

Is it ok to cycle short distances in a normal (not relaxed fit) binder? x

This is up to you. No, really. Really it is.

I've said this before, but a question like this, to me, sounds like: "is it ok to hike up a mountain?"

And my dude, I do not know. How tall's the mountain? How long is the hike? Did you break your foot lately? How're your lungs doing these days? You catch the flu this season?

So like, try it out. Go for one short distance and see how you feel. Maybe you'll be fine! Maybe you won't. So go slow at first and have an exit plan.

[shapeshiftersvt]

would it be possible to do theatre in a binder, or is that unsafe? for example, if there was a show with a lot of dancing that required a character or actor to wear a binder, could that actor safely do so? or would it be too much strain on that person's lungs?

Hello, anon! Quoting a post in our Binding Safety tag from awhile back, here.

anonymous asked:

Would it be safe to play an instrument in one of your binders? Would it be safe to do Marching band in one? Would it be safe to do an hour of ballet class in one of your binders?

shapeshiftersinc answered:

Maybe, maybe, aaaaand maybe!

The answers to these questions depend on you, Anon, your body and your circumstances. The only way to definitively answer them is to try it - carefully, in controlled conditions. Try each activity at home first, testing to see how out of breath you get. Work up to going out in it.

If you have another binder already, we can say that ours work similar to Underworks.

shapeshiftersinc reblogged and added:

Here’s another way to look at it.When an anon asks these questions, I think it’s a little bit like asking a hiking blog, “Hey, is it safe to climb up a mountain?”To which the answer is, well, which mountain? How steep is it? What’s your physical condition? Do you have asthma? Do you plan to climb Everest in a day or stroll up a hill in stages over a week? Do you use mobility aids? How’re your knees doing this week?And even if the hiking blog has all these answers, they still might guess wrong in their estimation of that hiker’s safety. It’s up to the hiker to plan the hike, evaluate their own physical condition, do a test run, and consider their own capabilities.That said, anon, there are several cautionary tales in the notes to this post! They may or may not apply to you, but you may wish to read them for maximum data.

[shapeshiftersvt]

Masterpost: Exercising while binding

Anonymous said to shapeshiftersinc: Hi! I just stumbled across your buisness and was wondering if you could wear one of your binders while exercising. I'm a figure skater and dance trapeze artist and I really dig how your binders are fashionable as well as functional. If possible I thought they might be cool as a costume piece. Let me know what you think about binding + skating/trapeze. Thank you ~ Q

princet-xion said to shapeshiftersinc: Hi! I'm a nonbinary college student studying dance, and I bind for dysphoria related reasons. However, I havent been able to bind as frequently lately because of my schedule involving dance (im basically dancing every day). I've always heard that it isnt safe to exercise or dance in a binder, so im curious what your take on it would be!! Maybe my current binders (not purchased from shapeshifters) just dont fit well enough to be comfortable for dance? Thanks!

Anonymous said to shapeshiftersinc: Are you binders appropriate to work out in? I do roller derby and I really don't want to wear a sports bra because they don't bind as well I'm trying to pass as male in a traditionally all-female sport. Thanks!

Anonymous said to shapeshiftersinc: I know I probably shouldn't but I'm really uncomfortable with my chest during sex and I was wondering if there is any way to wear some sort of binder????

Hey, friends! Let’s talk about exercise and physical exertion with a chest binder on.

When I started binding, the rule was don’t do it, ever. 

And... nobody I knew actually followed that. 

Let’s be practical: we all have to live our lives. Carry backpacks through school. Go to work. Move house. Be figure skaters, trapeze artists, dancers, roller derby players. Last weekend I talked to singers, LARPers and folks who commute by bike. Y’all are navigating complicated and awesome lives! Often active ones. We at Shapeshifters think that at the end of the day, you make the call on what’s best for your body and your life.

That said, as always: if it hurts, take it off. If you can’t breathe, take it off. During physical activity especially, it’s important to check in with yourself! Pause to stretch, take deep breaths, ask yourself: am I hurting and ignoring it? All the basic safety rules for any kind of workout apply double here.

(Inevitably, someone will respond to this and say “Shapeshifters thinks you should exercise while binding and crack your ribs and die!”

We do not think that.)

So let’s talk solutions.

I developed the relaxed fit binder for myself to wear during yoga. It’s a quarter-size up within our fine-graded sizing system, and never has a stiff insert. It’s a compromise: it doesn’t get me the kind of flatness I want wearing a button-down and a tie, but it holds everything down and lets me do a sustained 60-90m of deep-breathing slow exercise without cramps or soreness.

Customers who’ve gotten a relaxed fit have reported back that it’s comfortable, sometimes to the point that they’ve forgotten they have it on. It’s been helpful for customers with asthma and EDS to bind without discomfort. As with all binders, it’s not a cure-all and it won’t work for everyone, but if you’re looking to bind and do some vigorous activities on the physical plane, I recommend trying it out.

Here’s DW modeling a relaxed fit binder:

(Image: Model DW in an extra-long relaxed fit chest binder, in the Duelist’s Garden rose print.)

By contrast, in a standard fit with a stiff insert:

(Image: DW modeling a crop top Cleric’s Apple lace binder.)

If you’d like your binder to be relaxed fit, say so in your order notes!

Another option for exercising: a racerback cut will allow for a wider range of movement, especially for swimmers and dancers! We can also widen or deepen armholes for free, on request.

(Image: A racerback cut on a crop top Snurple binder. The arms of your binder should never be digging into your skin!)

Finally, many of our customers find that a side zipper is really useful for a quick release, at the end or in the middle of a workout! More on that over here, in our zipper masterpost.

(Image: an Olive Green crop top binder with a side zip. Also useful for when you’re sweaty and don’t want to wrestle with a pullover!)

onemonthonefanfic said to shapeshiftersinc: I apologize if this has been answered -- I didn't see it posted. Do you know of effective strategies for dealing with underboob sweat?

No problem! Some folks roll deodorant anywhere sweat collects. Some folks fold up tissues and keep ‘em there, just to absorb. I’ve been known on occasion to duck into a bathroom stall so I can pat dry.

Followers, any other tips?

[shapeshiftersvt]

For the anon with the exercise question (: I ride horses in a mesh-back binder but that's about it. When I run/ do non equestrian workouts I use the compression sports bra from Underworks because it doesn't compress your whole ribcage and makes breathing easier (it also doesn't get as hot.) I have a pretty low heat tolerance though and I do fairly intense workouts; obviously everyone's different.

Thanks for the input! :D