Waist Trainers For Weight Loss: 5 Things You Should Know Before Buying One

High-compression shaping garments also known as waist trainers are worn around the midriff and are believed to slim down people’s waistlines instantly and help them achieve their fitness goals. They stimulate heat in the core region and make people sweat more even without having to indulge in any sort of physical activity.

It is a type of undergarment made with thick fabric and hard metal bonding secured with a lacing system comprising of hooks or Velcro. “They are basically corsets with a modern twist,” said Healthline.

Can a waist trainer transform your figure?

Apparently not! While it can give you instant transformation, you need to train your waist to maintain the desired "hourglass shape." The Americal Board of Cosmetic Surgery Blog opined that a waist trainer cannot change anyone’s body shape and that it is highly unlikely to get any lasting effects.

“While wearing a shaping garment every now and then probably won’t do any harm, long-term waist training is simply an ineffective way to slim down. It will do nothing to change your body proportions, and it can lead to many health problems,” said the blog.

There is no evidence to support the idea that a waist trainer can help mold your body into a specific shape or achieve spot reduction or weight loss. But there are chances that it could lead to some pretty nasty side effects.

“If you were to wear a waist trainer for long periods of time, depending on how tight, you will absolutely create medical problems, not just in reducing muscle and core strength, but in how it affects the internal organs,” Dr. Roxann Engle, a family medicine physician and medical director of UCI Health-Tustin told UCI Health.

Here’s a list of ill effects of waist trainers you should know if you are considering to try one:

1. Back Pain

Wearing a waist trainer might gradually cause the muscles in your core to weaken, leading to back pain and poor posture. It could also cause overall physical weakness since it reduces lung capacity and pushes down your intestines.

2. Gastroespohageal reflux (GERD)

Wearing tight garments like corset or waist trainers can cause or worsen GERD symptoms. The pressure from the garment can cause the acid from the stomach to travel upwards and reach the esophagus. This could lead to heartburn and unwanted stress on internal organs.

3. Skin irritation

Wearing it for a long period can result in chafing and discomfort. Some people could experience itching due to the sweat and generated heat while wearing a waist trainer.

4. Breathing difficulty

The garment could put a lot of pressure and unnecessary tightness which can make it harder for people to breathe. Sometimes, it can also make people pass out. When worn while sleeping it can lead to oxygen deprivation which can impair your internal organ functions.

5. Internal damage

Since it squeezes your midsection, it forces your internal organs such as the kidneys and liver into unnatural positions. This can affect the blood flow and impair the functions of these organs. In the longer run, this can lead to permanent organ damage and reduced muscle strength.