Waist trainers can cause discomfort, difficulty breathing, or even heartburn. If you experience any of these symptoms, take the waist trainer off immediately.
Latex waist trainers are more like cinchers than full corsets. When worn they will immediately make your waist look an inch or two smaller, whereas a full corset will immediately take several inches off the appearance of your waist plus the other areas it covers. Steel-boned corsets also offer more postural support, cinching, and hourglass shaping than latex trainers. [5] X Research source There are different types of cinchers. They are mostly made from latex, spandex, or nylon, and some have plastic boning. Cinchers are believed to be more comfortable to work out in and sleep in than steel-boned corsets, although it is still possible to sleep in a steel-boned corsets. When a steel-boned corset is fitted correctly to your body, it should also be quite comfortable for sleeping, but not for exercise.
Cinchers will still show through sheer shirts and flimsy fabrics, so keep this in mind when choosing a cincher color. If you are really committed to waist training, and you have the money to spend, you might consider getting a couple of different trainers or corsets just so you have some selection.
Some companies offer different types of waist trainers for different purposes. As an example, one company sells work-out corsets, but even these cannot be worn for all types of exercises. [7] X Research source If you have a steel-boned corset, do not work out in it. This is not made for working out in, although you can sleep in it. [8] X Research source
Remove any clothing that is covering your midsection. Your waist is between the bottom of your ribs and the tops of your hip bones. It’s generally the narrowest part of your torso, where you bend from side to side. [9] X Expert Source Laila AjaniFitness Trainer Expert Interview. 31 October 2019. Wrap a measuring tape around your waist, keeping it parallel to the floor so that it sits evenly around your waist. Make sure that it fits snugly against your torso but doesn’t dig into it. Don’t suck in your stomach as this will make your waist seem smaller than it is. Breathe in and out to gauge roughly where your waist sits at its natural state. Look down. Wherever the end of the measuring tape is sitting while you’re relaxed with it evenly around your waist, that’s your natural waist size. As an example it might read 29 inches (or more, or less).
For steel-boned corsets, some manufacturers say that if your waist is under 38 inches, you should order a corset with a waist size that is 4 to 7 inches smaller, and if your natural waist is over 38 inches, order a corset that is 7 to 10 inches smaller. [10] X Research source So if your waist is 29 inches, try starting with a corset with a 25-inch waist. For latex waist trainers the sizing is a bit more straightforward. Just choose the trainer size that is in line with your natural waistline. If you have a 29-inch waistline, you’ll probably want to choose a waist trainer that fits a 28- to 30-inch waistline. If you have any doubts whatsoever about sizing or fit or anything else, it’s always best to contact the manufacturer directly. They will be able to tell you more about the specific sizing of their products, and can help you make the right choice. Both steel-boned corsets and latex waist trainers should lie flat against your midsection. If they roll up, bulge, or buckle at all, they are likely too small, and you should get a larger size.
If it’s a lace-up corset or cincher, the grommets should also be well secured, and the corset should not buckle under the tension of being laced up. [11] X Research source If you are buying your waist trainer online, be sure to read lots of online reviews before buying it. It’s something that you’ll be wearing every day, for several hours a day, so get the highest-quality one that you can afford.
Failing to work out before and during waist training will give you the opposite of your desired effects. Your stomach will look flabby due to a lack of stomach muscles as your waist trainer has taken over for your core in holding your body upright. [13] X Research source Some good core exercises include planks, side twists, weighted crunches, and leg lifts. Aim to do these exercises 3 times each week. [14] X Research source While some people do work out while wearing waist trainers, doctors recommend against it as it can interfere with your ability to breathe, make it difficult for you to get a full workout, and contribute to back acne. [15] X Research source
Many people find it helps to wear a thin-fabric top beneath the corset to prevent skin irritation. A soft camisole or close-fitting tank top will do nicely. For a steel-boned corset, loosen it all the way and undo any snaps. Ensure that it is right side up and slide it around your body, with the snaps at the front and laces at the back. If your corset has a modesty flap (the panel of fabric that sits beneath the laces on your back), it should just touch the other side of the corset. Before tightening the laces, hook the eyes. It can help to start at the middle. Next, reach behind and grab your lacing loops, then pull them away from you to tighten the waist. For a latex waist trainer, there are no laces involved. There will likely be two sets of snaps at the front of your trainer (i. e. these sit on your stomach). Start at the widest setting (the first set of snaps), and then move on to the tighter setting as you grow accustomed to the trainer.
For a steel-boned corset, don’t lace it too tightly when first putting it on. It should fit snugly, but you should still be able to slide at least a few fingers or even your whole hand in the top or bottom of the corset. The boning will adjust to your shape with time. After wearing it for about an hour, you can tighten it more.
Regardless of what type of waist trainer you’re wearing, remember not to go too tight the first time you put it on. Give it time to mould to your body, and it will be much more comfortable and effective in the long run.
Don’t immediately start wearing your corset for 12 hours a day. Even when you’re advanced, you can get away with 6 to 8 hours a day and still see results. Latex waist-trainer experts recommend wearing them for 8 to 10 hours each day. Some people wear their steel-boned corsets for up to 23 hours a day. Be sure to know the risks involved with lengthier periods of waist-training. Above all else, make sure that you are never in pain. [19] X Research source
If you’re already quite slim and fit, you might not see a significant change for up to 2 months. Your results will depend on your lifestyle (i. e. diet and exercise), body type, and how long you wear the waist trainer each day.
Unless the manufacturer tells you otherwise, you should never wash a corset. If you spill something on your corset, you can probably spot clean it with a damp cloth, but that’s the extent of it. Each manufacturer will have their own cleaning instructions, so check with them before cleaning your corset.
It can also help to avoid foods and drinks that make you bloat, which will be doubly uncomfortable when you’re wearing a corset or latex waist trainer. [23] X Research source Many doctors agree that proper nutrition and regular exercise will do more to trim your waist than a waist trainer will. [24] X Research source Planks and twisting crunches are recommended.
