Binders... also, swimming

[Hughie]

I've got a couple dilemmas that I'm looking for some pro tips.

Ordered a binder from GC2B that finally arrived after a month (international shipping etc), but is too small to get over my shoulders, which are broader than I thought. This might be good one day for working out, but a pain today. Another challenge I have is that I've got some weakness in my left arm that makes trying to put on a binder really tough. Do they all slide over the head or...? Any binder recommendations for this situation? I'm trying to hide a B-cup and I've been living in sports bras in the meantime. I'm also slowly but surely losing weight, but I'm also fighting a bit of a belly at the moment too.

Also, I'm gonna be brave and finally learn to swim, because I want to learn to row next year. And not drown when I inevitably fall out of the boat. Also, these are good goals for building up the arm strength as much as I can... we'll see how far I get, but I'm going to try. Now, doing this brings to mind all sorts of things I hate, like change rooms, seeing myself naked, crowded places, figuring out a swimming clothing situation... I've seen the Underworks swimming binder top, and wondering if anyone's tried that, vs the one-piece? I'm assuming people wear the top with regular trunks? I'm not packing anything at this stage in the game. I haven't been to the pool in years and years and years, so I'm totally behind the times in what people wear. I'm also in Canada, and international shipping with returns is a costly and time consuming pain. I can get the Underworks top from a retailer in Canada, but not the bottoms or the one-piece suit.

[Empty Miroir]

I don't know about anyone else, but I always put my binder on from the bottom, like getting into a one piece swim suit, since my hips help stretch it out and makes it more bearable and not as lung crushing as putting it on from the top does. I only tried doing the top part once and it took me 10 minutes to get on (and it was painful), but it only takes around a minute or so to get on from the bottom.

I haven't gotten any binders to swim in so I'm sorry that I can't help with that. I just use a female's (ugh) one piece sports suit and wear shorts over it. I'm also in Canada so I know how expensive shipping and returns can be.

[sigsi]

The first time I tried to put a binder on I went from over my head as well...it resulted in a panic attack before I googled how to put on a binder. I'm also a B cup (last I checked?) and have wide shoulders and wide hips (and a bit of a belly ). Flipping the binder inside out and pulling it up from the bottom seemed to work for me.
Read the "How to Put On a Chest Binder" part: http://transguys.com/features/chest-binding

I never bought the one piece or bottoms from underworks, but have heard that the shorts part is basically like bicycle shorts which seemed unappealing to me. When I did swim, I used the 997 binder as well as a water binder on top of it, and then just stuck with some gym shorts or swim shorts. I did try swimming with just the swim binder which seemed to work fine for the first few swims, but eventually didn't compress enough for my liking.
More details about what I did for binders and swim binders here: https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,209466.msg1868508.html#msg1868508

And good luck with learning how to swim.

[Elis]

A new binder is always a pain to get into at firdt; but after wearing it for a few times it stretches out and becomes easier. Although you do have to get used to the feeling of putting on a strait jacket and becoming stuck . (I'm also a B cup, have broad shoulders and own a GC2B binder).

As for swimming I want to get into going as well as I'm starting to get a bit fat  . I've recently ordered one of these http://gc2b.myshopify.com/collections/gc2b-all-nude which I hope will work out and will wear the top with regular swimming trunks. I've heard no negative stuff about the Underworks swimming binder but it's too expensive.

And yeah; I've hated swimming in the past because of changing rooms and be half naked around complete strangers but I'm tryimg to improve my self confidence and it can't be as traumatising as it was when I had to wear a one-piece.

[Mal]

I also have weakness in my left arm, but find the GC2B binder that I just got a lot easier and more comfortable than the underworks one I've had for a couple of years. The GC2B has more flexibility than underworks ones. I've got two underworks ones that are still new because I never could find a comfortable way to get them on and off. I've had to try a couple different ways with the different binders to find which way works best for me, but some form of going over my head works best for me because my left arm isn't strong enough to get a binder on from stepping into it. I'm either a D or DD cup, so no binder works good enough for me to try swimming until after I get top surgery.

[Hughie]

Cheers everyone, awesome suggestions. Will check these out and let you know how it goes. I also noticed that the Underworks swim binder top has a zip in front and if I can't manage the workout putting on a regular binder, that might be my back-up. Will try stepping in.

Yes, I'm excited to learn to swim and face the fear... fear is strong, but hey, after nearly 40 years of being scared of the water, I think it's time to face that fear like so many I'm working through lately.   And keen to strengthen that arm as much as I can.  And rowing! Very excited at the prospect of working towards that. So I feel like this whole swimming thing is a necessary evil to get to the rowing and paddling etc.

Shipping to Canada is painful - really expensive and really slow. Even across the country is a week, if you're lucky. There was one place in town that carries the Underworks swim binder but out of stock in my size. There's another place in Canada but it's probably a week to come if I order today. Also looking at a rash guard over something and trying to figure that all out.

I've got lessons starting next month, but I'm also doing physio in the gym these days, and they'd like to get to the pool ideally in the next week for some extra moves, but need to have the kit together before another 4 weeks goes by...

[groudon18]

All of my binders were from lesloveboat. All of my binders were also ones that you zip up instead of put on over the head. Their swimming binder zips, too. the zipping is much easier, you put it on like a vest then zip up the center. this website's binders supposedly works better for people on the smaller chested side so it sounds like it would work for you

[Ollie_Ryan]

T-Kingdom is a reputable site that makes binders of all styles. They have velcro, zip-up, or pullover binders. Might be worth a look!

[arice]

I don't know about anyone else, but I always put my binder on from the bottom, like getting into a one piece swim suit, since my hips help stretch it out and makes it more bearable and not as lung crushing as putting it on from the top does. I only tried doing the top part once and it took me 10 minutes to get on (and it was painful), but it only takes around a minute or so to get on from the bottom.

I haven't gotten any binders to swim in so I'm sorry that I can't help with that. I just use a female's (ugh) one piece sports suit and wear shorts over it. I'm also in Canada so I know how expensive shipping and returns can be.

This. My hips don't really stretch the binder but much easier to pull up than down. I wear a woman's speedo one piece in the most basic black I could find. For beach or casual swimming, I wear trunks over top. For serious swimming, I just wear the woman's suit. It isn't my favourite but I don't want the drag of anything else.
I would like a short suit like I get for my kids...
Also in Canada and hate paying for shipping.

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[FTMax]

Review on the Underworks swim binder:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,187827.msg1670690.html#msg1670690

I never used it. I had an old binder that I would layer with a rashguard and swim in pre-op. I think either way would be fine.

You could try stepping into the binder and pulling it up. I did that for a bit when I was between sizes and waiting on a larger one to arrive. It was no fun but got the job done.

[Hughie]

All of my binders were from lesloveboat. All of my binders were also ones that you zip up instead of put on over the head. Their swimming binder zips, too. the zipping is much easier, you put it on like a vest then zip up the center. this website's binders supposedly works better for people on the smaller chested side so it sounds like it would work for you

Ah, cool to know that there's zip options out there. Just checked out the site and have bookmarked it. I was really wondering what trans guys with mobility/disability issues do because damn if it isn't a workout putting on a binder.

[Hughie]

T-Kingdom is a reputable site that makes binders of all styles. They have velcro, zip-up, or pullover binders. Might be worth a look!

Awesome, cheers, bookmarking this too.

[Hughie]

This. My hips don't really stretch the binder but much easier to pull up than down. I wear a woman's speedo one piece in the most basic black I could find. For beach or casual swimming, I wear trunks over top. For serious swimming, I just wear the woman's suit. It isn't my favourite but I don't want the drag of anything else.
I would like a short suit like I get for my kids...
Also in Canada and hate paying for shipping.

Sent from my SM-G870W using Tapatalk

Yeah, the plain black one-piece womens' suit was my back up plan and still might be, and follow your lead with the trunks over, but I don't know if that's too weird for the pool. I would love the kids suit too. I really  liked the Underworks swim one-piece but it's more pricey and needs to come from the US, so not this time. I haven't been to a public pool to swim in... err, I wouldn't be surprised if it's twenty years.  

I just found the Underworks Swim Binder top for sale in two places in Canada. One was sold out in my size, but the other offers free shipping out of Toronto and says 4 business days, which would be really speedy by Canadian standards if it's true. So we'll see if I've got this in a week's time. In case any other Canadians are on the market for this, the places to check out are Come As You Are (a co-op run sex shop that has all sorts of things (binders, packers, etc) for trans folks, popular in Toronto) and Big Bro's Barbershop, a barbershop/stylist in Vancouver that has a small offering of gender affirming products for sale.  Both shops are brick and mortar and also online.

[arice]

Travelling Tickle Trunk is another Canadian store with some selection of trans supplies. It is in Edmonton (where I am) so is another option, especially for Albertans.

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[Hughie]

Review on the Underworks swim binder:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,187827.msg1670690.html#msg1670690

I never used it. I had an old binder that I would layer with a rashguard and swim in pre-op. I think either way would be fine.

You could try stepping into the binder and pulling it up. I did that for a bit when I was between sizes and waiting on a larger one to arrive. It was no fun but got the job done.

Hmm, looked at the binder again and it's too small in the neck to step into, and too tight with my arm to slide down over my shoulders. So I'll either need a bigger size in this brand or try one of the zipping ones. Will need to save my pennies after splashing out on swim kit though.

[Hughie]

Travelling Tickle Trunk is another Canadian store with some selection of trans supplies. It is in Edmonton (where I am) so is another option, especially for Albertans.

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Cheers, will check that out too - adding to the bookmarks list.

[WolfNightV4X1]

I did a search on Amazon and found a cool binder and trunks combo for around $30

I dont know how well it binds, but hey, Im really hoping the price stays there awhile because thats freaking cool, been thinking of dropping the funds to grab it, myself

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01ILY2FZ4/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1471061382&sr=8-6&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=swim+binder&dpPl=1&dpID=41Rn515Z6OL&ref=plSrch

[Elis]

I did a search on Amazon and found a cool binder and trunks combo for around $30

I dont know how well it binds, but hey, Im really hoping the price stays there awhile because thats freaking cool, been thinking of dropping the funds to grab it, myself

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01ILY2FZ4/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1471061382&sr=8-6&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=swim+binder&dpPl=1&dpID=41Rn515Z6OL&ref=plSrch

I'd be wary of this company; it's the same one which sells the binders with clasps; which is the most dangerous to wear binder on the market. I suspect the swimming binder isn't made out of great material either.

[Hughie]

I'd be wary of this company; it's the same one which sells the binders with clasps; which is the most dangerous to wear binder on the market. I suspect the swimming binder isn't made out of great material either.

Good point about the clasps. I'm reading lots of reviews on stuff before buying anything. I don't want to add to my health woes.

My hope is that the Underworks swim binder fits and I'll pair it with jammers or trunks for now. I'll go check some stuff out today for bottoms.

Though I do love the idea of the rash guard too, but I think that will have to wait. Not many choices around here either, which means more online ordering. My worry is always the fit... between the boobs and extra weight I carry especially in my belly. Trying to loose that, but going by measurements it usually means I'm medium in the chest and large in the belly. So trying stuff on is always my preferred option.

[Sir Real]

Fellow Canadian, here. I feel your pain about the shipping/returns dilema.

I hope the swim binder works well for you. I haven't seen too many reviews on it, but the ones I saw, people seemed pretty happy with it.

Someone else on here, quite some time ago in another thread, had mentioned that wetsuits can do a good job at binding as well and suggested that there may be used options.

Just as a heads up to you just in case; when swimming and binding, make sure the binder can come off in a way other than pulling over. Trying to take a wet pull-over binder off is something to avoid *shudders* Or just wait until it's completely dry.

Oh, and not that you wouldn't anyway, but keep mindful of your body while binding and swimming. You'll find that swimming has a lot of ribcage movement. It shouldn't be an issue, just something to be aware of. If you need a break, you need a break. Don't be afraid to leave early if you need to. =)

By the way, kudos to you for taking the dive into learning to swim! (I had to ) Rowing also looks fantastic. I only got to use the rowing machine, but it became my favourite cardio machine the first time I used it (I did make sure to find out the basic form beforehand though). I'm sure that has nothing on the real thing. Looks like a lotta fun. I also like how it really works out everything while still being low to no impact. Tres cool.