Before you jump on any health or fitness bandwagon, it’s important that you’re well-informed. Waist training is no exception. Just because celebrities rave about them doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re a magical solution to getting a tiny Kim Kardashian waist. Or are they? If you’d like to know more, take a look at my first article on waist trainers where I explain everything you need to know. When it comes to waist trainers, men and women alike oftentimes have a laundry list of questions: Do they work? Are they safe? When will I see results? It’s important to have answers to all of these questions before you try out a waist trainer for yourself. Without further ado, here are some waist training FAQ’s to answer your most burning waist trainer questions.
Do waist trainers work?
Yes! When worn regularly you will see results from waist trainers. However, it’s important to remember that wearing a waist trainer for a day or two will not automatically give you a small waist. Waist trainers are designed to have semi-permanent results; the more often you wear your waist trainer, the more your waist will be trained to hold the shape it has when the trainer is on.
Do waist trainers help you lose weight?
Yes and no. Many celebrities and personal trainers advocate using corset-like waist trainers while exercising because the compression will increase sweating. However, fat can only be lost when you burn more calories than you consume. So while waist trainers can help give you an extra intense workout and train your waist to hold a firmer shape, they can’t be solely responsible for weight loss. [1] But when used in conjunction with a diet and exercise routine, they can improve results.
How long can you wear a waist trainer?
There is no simple answer for this question because everyone responds to waist trainers differently. Most people recommend that beginners start by wearing their waist trainers for no longer than 2-4 hours per day. However, you can gradually increase the amount of time you wear your waist cincher until you feel comfortable. [2] Some people will wear their waist trainers for 8-16 hours per day, others will only wear them when they’re sleeping and yet others will only wear them for 3-4 hours per day; it all comes down to your comfortability. Jessica Alba reportedly wore double corsets 24/7 for 3 months after the birth of her children to get back to her pre-baby shape! [3]
Are waist trainers safe?
The safety of waist trainers is a heavily debated topic. However the simple answer to the question is: yes, waist trainers are safe when used properly. Those who wear their waist trainers too tightly and around the clock can experience dangers like squished abdominal organs and difficulty breathing. [4] However, if you purchase a waist trainer in the correct size and wear it so that it’s snug- not bone-crushing- then it will be perfectly safe to wear in your day-to-day activities and during exercise.
Now that you know a bit more about waist trainers, you can make an educated decision about whether or not they are right for you. However, it’s important to note that most people who have tried waist trainers- and have used them properly- have seen tremendous results. It’s difficult to specifically target your waist with exercises, but with the waist trainer, you could get a slimmer waist just by wearing it regularly.