Support for Army women as female recruits will get specially-designed bras for the first time 

Support at the front for Army women as female recruits will get specially-designed bras for the first time

  • Research team found 85% of recruits had problems relating to poorly-fitted bras
  • Previously, female army recruits had to buy their own bras in high street stores 
  • Army found ill-fitting support could affect performance and cause health issues
  • BoobyDoo, firm run by former bodybuilder Charly Wright, is producing the bras 

Female Army recruits are to be equipped with specially-designed sports bras for the first time.

They previously had to buy their own in high street stores but now those joining the services will instead be measured for a series of bras.

The move comes because the Army found ill-fitting support could affect the performance of recruits and leave them with health issues.

An Army research team working with the University of Portsmouth found that 85 per cent of recruits had problems relating to poorly-fitted bras.

Dr Alex Rawcliffe, who is leading the programme, said initial findings indicated ‘significant improvement’ in how the new kit supported the recruits during their basic training.

Female Army recruits are to be equipped with specially-designed sports bras for the first time

There was a 57 per cent reduction in poor posture and an 18 per cent drop in upper-body muscle pain.

BoobyDoo, a firm run by former bodybuilder Charly Wright, is producing the bras. 

The 28-year-old said the recruits needed the right equipment for their demanding roles.

She added: ‘They have to – at the drop of a hat, in an instant – go out and start running, start marching, go overnight for three to five days during that basic training and just be physically active all the time.’

Former British bodybuilding champion Charly Wright talks to new recruits about sports bras

Former British bodybuilding champion Charly Wright talks to new recruits about sports bras

The bras are available in various cup sizes and are customisable with different fastening positions, material and underwire choices.

The Ministry of Defence said the addition was an ‘excellent improvement on our provision for women’s kit’.