Introduction
Waist trainers have become a well-known weight loss journey assistance item. They claim to have a great effect on the wearer while they are planning on losing weight, or during weight loss as an encouragement item. But do they actually work and what are the benefits of waist training? Incorporating a healthy diet in conjunction with waist training is essential for effective weight loss and overall wellness.
What is Waist Training?
A waist trainer is an item of clothing which is marketed claiming to pull in your stomach and ultimately, make you appear thinner. The theory of the manufacturer is that the tight fit will also encourage you to lose weight because of the tight fit. The corset-style garment will give the user an almost hourglass shape and figure which will increase your curves and give you a more attractive figure (while wearing).
The garment is pulled tighter as the user loses weight which maintains the effects of the waist trainer (so the manufacturer claims) and will also encourage further weight loss. This process is to be continued until the user has achieved their desired body.
They work by pushing pressure on your floating ribs inwards to make your tummy appear smaller and less bulging. However, the excessive compression can also affect internal organs, potentially leading to health issues such as permanent damage or misplacement.
Background
Waist trainers, or corset-style clothing designed to improve the female figure, have been around for hundreds of years. In the 1500s women would use them to make their bodies more desirable and eccentric to their male counterparts. They are often depicted in the film with several maids pulling hard on the laces to get the corset as tight as possible, most likely for comedic effect.
The modern waist trainer industry is trying to replicate the same technique and appeal for the users. They have been making modern style trainers with more durable materials and have more aesthetic value, there may be some appeal to wearing the trainer above your clothing. Modern waist trainers differ from traditional steel boned corsets, which were historically used for waist training to achieve an hourglass figure.
They also claim to aid your posture to maintain a more natural body position by forcing you to stand up straight due to the pull of the laces. Additionally, latex waist cinchers are popular in modern fitness routines, enhancing workouts by providing modest shaping without the intensity of steel boned corsets.
Popularity of Waist Trainers
In recent years that have boomed in popularity with thousands of women taking the trend in their stride and accepting the promises of a smaller waist in minutes! Many people wear waist trainers to achieve a slimmer waist by providing intense compression, which not only gives the illusion of a more hourglass figure but also promotes sweating and reduces appetite.
They have been marketed as a sexy item similar to lingerie which has been a success. Instagram has been featuring waist trainers which catapulted trainers into a trendy and fashionable item. Even stars such as Kim Kardashian have posted photos with one on!
Results
When putting on a waist trainer, the user will see instant results due to the mould the trainer forces you into, keeping the midsection tight. You will look physically smaller and due to the push-up effect from the corset, your breasts will look bigger.
However, when you remove the trainer, all the contracted body fat will be allowed to flow back to its original form. Depending on the amount of time you have been wearing it, you may have a few minutes to admire the effects before returning to your previous form.
Over time, wearing a waist trainer can affect core muscles by keeping them engaged during daily activities, but prolonged use may lead to muscle atrophy and deactivation, potentially weakening core strength.
There are many sites claiming that the user will see greater results with extended usage periods of waist train. They may sell stages of waist trainers, claiming for users to buy tighter and tighter trainers to see visible results.
Misconception
Often websites will push information on how to “enhance” the benefits of waist training. This often includes methods such as proper diet and exercise. The marketing has been misdirecting consumers with the information that wearing a waist trainer is the cause of the thinner body, when in fact it is the other techniques, they tell their customers to use alongside the to wear a waist trainer.
There is no evidence that waist trainers help posture after taking the trainer off. This is due to the pull not allowing your body to bend while wearing it. When removed you will no longer be constricted by the garment. Additionally, wearing a waist trainer can lead to muscle atrophy and decreased core engagement, negatively affecting the abdominal muscles.
Proper diet and an exercise routine will allow people to lose weight naturally without the use of a trainer. By improving your lifestyle in a way which is perceived as healthy and balanced you can achieve similar results without having to purchase a trainer.
Should I Buy One?
While the benefits of waist training do not reach the levels which waist trainer manufacturers and retailers claim they are able to, wearing tight clothing such as a waist or water weight training corset does make your waist look smaller due to the contraction of body fat.
Trainers could be used as an encouragement item to show you the size you want to be, however, understand that the trainer isn’t doing anything other than holding your body in. It is important to note that postpartum women with weak pelvic floor muscles may face more pain and increased risks, such as prolapse, when using waist trainers. Engaging in proper rehabilitation and strengthening exercises is a safer alternative for recovery.
Due to the fashionable status of the waist trainer, many women may want to wear them for aesthetic value rather than health concerns rather than the perceived health benefits of using them. There are many styles to choose from and you may find one you love.
Waist Trainers Aren’t Going Anywhere
Like other fad items, waist trainers claim that they are able to produce health benefits while side-lining techniques and proven, truthful health routines which will help users lose weight, but not using their marketed product.
Instagram is often plagued with stars trying to find their edge against the competition and waist trainers help to achieve a desirable body shape which they perceive as being the most sought after.
Final Verdict
If you are looking for a short-term or temporary solution for your posture or just want to get a smaller size for a while, investing in a waist trainer will allow you to convey a better than usual body image. They don’t cause long term damage if you don’t take them too tight and if worn occasionally will allow you a more fulfilling appearance without breaking the bank!
There is no way to achieve a tighter and stronger body without diet and exercise, fads such as the waist trainer never work but they can display temporary benefits and solutions which you may find a use for. Just don’t expect them to produce body results which often take months to years of strength and endurance training from simply wearing an item of clothing.
Read more blog: How to start waist training
Therefore the name Waist trainer is in itself meant to deceive. “Training” inherently promises the reward of long-term results. Who “trains” in order to get results that disappear with the removal of the “trainer”? This is false advertising.