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Monday, 3 June 2013

SHAPEWEAR VS RECOVERY GARMENTS



SRC Recovery Shorts $189


Body Belt Waist Wrap $69.95 (Only original style available in store)



Cantaloop Re Shape Briefs $43
 


Cantaloop Re Shape Boxers $43
 


Belly Bandit Wrap $89.95
 
So you've just had a baby and you've heard that it's a good idea to wear a girdle of some sort to help you get your pre-pregnancy body back as soon as possible. The big question is "What product do you choose?"

I wish I could answer that for you but I am a bit biased towards the SRC Recovery Shorts because I have had such fantastic feedback about them so I will tell you what I know in the hope that it may help you make your decision.

Many years ago I had ladies coming in to store asking for step-ins that they could wear post pregnancy to help get their tummies back in shape sooner. The idea of step-ins was coming from their Mum's who had used such garments in the 60's and 70's. I had heard of them but knew that there was nothing currently on the market.

It seemed that ladies of European, Indian and Asian descent were quite keen for such a product in Australia as it was seen as the norm back home. I was perplexed. I had given birth and not worn a girdle of any sort. Why would women want such a thing? Perhaps the fact that I now have a permanently pregnant looking belly might be the answer.

One Saturday at the shop I had 3 women ask about the SRC Recovery shorts. I had never heard of them and I was amazed that these women were prepared to pay $189 for a pair of what were best described as bike shorts but I decided there was obviously a demand out there for something like this so I looked into them. 

3 years later I have sold more pairs of SRC Recovery Shorts than I care to remember and never have I had anyone come back and say they regretted the purchase. In fact everyone raves about them! Why? Because they work. Simple as that. There is a lot of science that goes into the manufacture of these shorts and a lot of it goes over my head but I do know they work and I do know that they have been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Association which is no easy feat.

I can tell you roughly why they work. They have compression built into them that helps to clear fluids quickly and is especially good for women with vein problems. The compression also helps that throbbing feeling you get in the nether regions after giving birth.

They support the belly and your caesarian wound if you have one, making you feel more comfortable and helping to heel the wound sooner. The fabric breathes so you won't sweat.

The tummy panel gives compression to help rectify abdominal muscle separation while still giving gentle resistance to the abdominal muscles. In other words, as you move, your muscles move but are supported at the same time which helps your body to heel itself. This is a really important feature because some garments support the belly but don't allow for any muscle movement which means they can do more harm than good.

SRC Recovery shorts are comfortable to wear and you have the added benefit of a streamlined silhouette, much like shapewear. Let's not forget the fact that because they are a medical product you may be able to claim them on your private health insurance and/or claim a tax rebate at the end of the year.

The biggest downside is the price so it's understandable that you may be drawn to cheaper options such as a wrap or body belt but to add to the confusion there are now many other products starting to hit the market known as re-shapewear and they are generally much cheaper than SRC but they claim to do a similar job. Do they work? Honestly, I don't know. I have asked the question of SRC who understandably say that nothing is as good as their product. I have spoken with the re-shapewear companies who assure me that their products are just as good. I personally haven't spoken with many people who have tried these other products so I just don't know the answer. My mother's words ring in my ears saying "You pay for what you get" but I am also conscious of the fact that not everyone can afford SRC and wearing something is surely better than nothing.

We have stocked the Body Belt in the past which a corset looking garment with hook and eyes to fasten it in place. They are around $75 and the people that have bought them in the past seem quite happy with them. We stock the Belly Bandit wrap ($89.95) and the Cantaloop Re-Shape Range ($43) but these are all very new products and as yet I don't have any feedback to offer.

One more word on SRC and that is I like the fact that you can wear them 24/7. Obviously the longer you are able to wear the garment the better the results. They are also great to wear while exercising and are particularly useful while doing pilates.

Hope this helps!

Lisa
Maternity Revolution
Ph: 07 3205 1818
1/124 South Pine Rd, Brendale, QLD, 4500