Waist trainers may not give you a natural 6-pack, but they sure will slim your midsection for that special event. Corset-style bands will immediately offer a shapely and smooth midsection to wear as part of, or under your outfit. For a different approach, get a sweat waist trainer to increase sweating around your midsection during training. Waistbands should not be worn for more than a few hours daily. Although they can teach you correct posture, which also translates into a taller and leaner-looking figure, you don’t want your muscles to start relying on the corset to stay upright. This will cause your muscles to weaken and become lazy in maintaining a healthy posture. In this guide, we’ll help you choose the best waist trainer according to your goals, size, and personal preferences. Here’s what you need to know.
Safety
The most important thing to keep in mind with any type of waist trainer is that you need to be able to breathe. The moment the wrap becomes so tight that it causes abdominal discomfort, difficulty breathing, lightheadedness, or any pain whatsoever, take it off immediately. It is never supposed to cause pain or breathing difficulties, ever. Plus, you aren’t going to look or feel very sexy if you’re in agony.
Range of Motion
Just like breathing, your range of motion should not be restricted. Make sure you can still move, exercise, sit and stand comfortably and without limitations.
Quality and Comfort
While waist trainers will usually feel uncomfortable to wear at first use, you will become accustomed to the feeling of having something around your midsection after wearing it for a few days. Initially, it should feel tight, but it should not feel like it’s pinching your body or skin. Comfort and quality can be determined by looking at the fabric type, boning design, and hooks.
The Type of Fabric
Depending on the type of waist trainer, they can be made from various materials including cotton, satin, latex, neoprene, and leather. When choosing something to wear as an undergarment, opt for breathable material. If you’re going for something to wear during exercise, opt for a moisture-wicking and durable fabric.
The Boning Materials
Boning refers to the support system used in a corset-style waist trainer construction. The panels can be plastic or steel. When you’re just getting used to wearing the corset, a plastic boning may be a good option, however, if you plan on using it long-term, opt for a design with steel bones.
The more boning the corset has, the more support, structure, and shape it will provide. Boning can also be spiral, flat, or double-boning, which may differ between manufacturer designs and material types used.
Exercise and sauna waist trainers made from neoprene don't always feature boning.
Hooks
Depending on the type of waist trainer, there will be different fastening systems. Some sweat waistbands may wrap around and fasten with Velcro, while corsets generally have hooks and pins. If you’re getting dressed on your own, it may not be that easy to fasten a string of hooks in the middle of your back, along your spine. If you are worried about reaching the hooks, you can always look for a type that fastens along the sides of the body.
Check for durable hooks since a few broken hooks will make your piece useless. Another very important thing to look for is that the settings are adjustable to various sizes so you can keep adjusting as you progress in shaping your waist.
Size
Most manufacturers selling online will provide you with a sizing chart. This allows you to take your measurement and order the perfect fit accordingly. Corset waist trainers are not a ‘one size fits all product. As with any other piece of clothing, it is important that you order sizing correctly. If it is too small it won’t fit, and if it’s too big you won’t be able to use it as a waist trainer
Ideally, the waist trainer you purchase should fit you on the largest size setting when you receive it. There should be plenty of hooks allowing you to down-size and adjust as you wear it. If it fits you on the smallest size, you may need to get another size as there will be no hooks allowing you to downsize when needed. Velcro fasteners with training bands should also have enough space to allow downsizing. These are generally easier to adjust, but also thicker to wear.
How To Measure Your Size
When taking your measurement, use a flexible measuring tape and measure around your natural waist. This is the smallest part of your midsection, around two or three inches above your belly button. Do not tighten the tape or keep it too loose. You need to get your actual size, not the size you prefer.
Some manufacturers will ask you to measure the largest part of your waist, so make sure to check the sizing and measurement instructions before ordering.
Rolls and Bulges
If your corset bulges or forms rolls it’s a sign that you got the wrong size. Bulging can either be a sign that the trainer is too big or too small, whereas fabric that rolls outwards or inwards around your hip is a sign that it is a size too small. To get the best result you want a snug fit, but not too tight.
Wear Duration
Some manufacturers recommend up to 8-hours of corset wearing, while sweat waistbands are not meant to be worn more than two or three hours while exercising. The length of time you wear it will depend on the reason you are using it, however, wearing it for as long as 8 hours daily can also cause your muscles to become lazy which is counter-productive.
Wearing it for a function or special event immediately trims your waistline by 2 or 3 inches. This is suitable to wear just for the duration of your event but can be taken off at home. Keep in mind that wearing a sweat or exercise type keeps the skin on your midsection moist all the time from sweat. If kept on too long you will develop a rash and perhaps even blisters or chafing.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions and slowly build yourself into the habit of wearing it. You don’t have to keep it on for two hours on the first day. The moment you experience pain or major discomfort, take it off.
Washing and Care
Corset styles made from delicate satin or leather will have very specific washing instructions. Make sure to follow them. A sweatband is made to make you sweat more, which means you will need to wash it after every use. When choosing the best design for you, check that it is easy to wash, dry, and maintain. Quick-drying fabric is also a good option for exercise bands. Not cleaning your band regularly, especially when sweating a lot, will cause bacteria to build up and your band will start smelling.
