Exercising While Binding: Sock Drawer Heroes Binders Put to the Test

Is it safe to exercise while binding?

For years, trans and gender diverse people have been told not to exercise while wearing a chest binder. But researchers at the Mental Health + Exercise Research Group (MHEX) at the University of Western Australia found that this wasn't actually based on any evidence. So, they wanted to find out what the evidence really tells us.

In a trans-led study, MHEX researchers used our Sock Drawer Heroes Chest Binder to find out the short-term impact of exercising while wearing a binder.

And the results are encouraging.

In the study, 21 adults completed various exercises while wearing a Sock Drawer Heroes chest binder and while wearing regular sports clothing.

The study found that wearing a correctly fitted Sock Drawer Heroes binder made no statistically significant impact on lung function, upper-body strength, cardiovascular fitness, range of motion, or perceived exertion during short-term, maximal exercise.

In other words: the study found no significant difference between exercising in a Sock Drawer Heroes Chest Binder and exercising in regular sports clothing.

And that's a pretty big deal for our community.

Why this matters

For people who experience chest dysphoria, being told to take off a binder before exercising can be a significant barrier to physical activity and taking part in sports. It can mean choosing between feeling comfortable and affirmed in your body, and taking part in activities that support physical health, mental health and social wellbeing. For some trans and gender diverse people, that can mean missing out on exercise or sport altogether.

This research provides encouraging evidence that the blanket advice that people should never exercise while wearing a chest binder may need to be reconsidered. It highlights the potential to better support trans and gender diverse people to participate in physical activity safely while still feeling affirmed and comfortable in their body.

The Sock Drawer Heroes Chest Binder is the first and only chest binder in Australia that has been tested to show that they do not impact exercise capacity. More research is needed to understand the longer-term impacts of exercising while binding, but this study is an important first step that we are proud to have been involved in.

More info