#binding without binders

No worries! I think it should be fine but it’s good to be careful about it. Don’t use sports bras that are clearly too small or uncomfortable. If you experience shortness of breath or sores then it would be best to stop and ease up; either by going back to using a single sports bra or giving yourself a couple days without any. 

The kind of sports bra you use might also matter. I know there are some heavy duty sports bras like the ones available on the Underworks website which can be used alone to bind super effectively. Other sports bras are just thin strips of fabric with straps that you might not even feel if you were wearing 3 at once. 

Just be mindful of what your using, what you do while you’re using them, how long you use them, and how they make you feel. Listen to you body and everything should be fine <3

Since sports bras are designed with movable and breathable material there should be little concern, but just to make sure you can check the following things:

- Take a deep breath in, hold it for two seconds, and then let it out. Was your chest able to expand fully, or did you feel as if you were cut short? Did doing this hurt your chest/rib cage? If you feel comfortable taking a deep breath you should be ok. You can also check to see if you can fit you fingers underneath the band to ensure there’s some give. - Check your chest and rib cage. Have you developed any bruises, rashes, or other skin irritations where the seams press against your skin? If you only notice the usual harmless red indents and nothing feels tender or hurts when you touch it you should be just fine. 

To avoid any further pain or discomfort I would suggest the usual 8-12 hour binding limits. So when your day is done and you’re just relaxing at home you can remove one of you sports bras and slip on a hoody or something comfortable like that. Same goes for if you start to feel short of breath. 

Also, if you (or anyone else) are at all interested in getting a binder sometime down the road Big Brothers Binder Program offers secondhand binders by $6-$12 donation. If you live within the US you can also check out In A Bind and Replace the Ace for free secondhand binders. (be forewarned that applying for a secondhand binder may take time and you might be added to a wait list)