In the case of waist training, the concept was developed with the introduction of corsetry. In waist training, the idea is that your body retains its shape if you wear a corset regularly for a certain amount of time, thus reducing the size of your waist. Despite this, no scientific evidence has been found to back the theory up… Irrespective of what celebrities say.
Contrary to what some people believe, waist training and corsetry are not the same. Training your waist happens by wearing a corset consistently over a long period so that your natural waist is gradually reduced. Contrary to that, corsetry refers to an undergarment used for maintenance or that serves medical and aesthetic purposes. In addition to its use for fashion, fun, and costumes, it is also used for making back supports.
In the past, waist-training was often associated with the use of a steel-boned corset that would allow the wearer to develop the appearance of an hourglass figure. During waist training, rib compression and even organ rearranging are accomplished by tightening the corset to compress a woman’s figure, thereby effectively reducing the circumference and size of her waist. Sounds boring, doesn’t it? Even after achieving the desired reduction goal, the discomfort is only semi-permanent, so the corset must be worn even after the effect begins to fade.
In this article we would talk about corsetry or waist training and how does it work. But we have also gone a step ahead to give the advantages and disadvantages of using a corset to lose weight. However, we would highly recommend talking to a physician before making any such decision.
The History of Corsetry
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In an attempt to resemble the famous hourglass figure, women have pined over the idea of reducing their waists for centuries, and modern-day celebrities continue to set the ‘smaller-waist, bigger bust standard. Since this has happened, waist training and corsetry have become more popular.
The function of a corset is to hold and constrain the torso and waist so that a particular shape can be achieved. A medical corset is generally used for medical reasons (back problems are one great example), and its most well-known use is for aesthetic purposes.
You can achieve an aesthetic body goal by wearing a corset, and you can achieve the longest-lasting results by wearing a corset for an extended period. Corsets are known to be worn by both men and women, but the initial concept of corsetry was designed to dress women.
It was the term “French Bodies” that was commonly used for the stiffened undergarment we now call the corset that began corsetry in the late 16th century. France introduced the corset in 1577, giving women the appearance of having an inconceivably narrow waist. Women’s corsets represent a fundamental shift in how clothing and fashion are conceived with tailors moving from fitting clothes to the body to fitting the corset to the wearer.
There is a misconception about the corset that it was originally introduced to lessen waist size as opposed to elongating the body. First introduced to form a woman’s torso into a cylinder, as well as raise and flatten the bust line, the corset was primarily used for shaping women’s bodies into more cylindrical shapes. So, flat torsos with smaller busts were preferred over smaller waists.
Corsets are associated with horrific discomfort, which is another misconception. Corsets are often perceived as restricting the breath of women, but in reality, this was only the case for women who took their standards of beauty too far and tightened their corsets to an unreasonable degree.
The vast majority of women in the United States find corsets more comfortable than underwire bras. This is interesting because well-endowed women often feel less constrained in corsets. There are lots of people with back problems who have commented on how much an Elizabethan corset, called a boned-tab, works as a good back brace.
A 16th-century corset was often hidden beneath layers of clothes, making it difficult for witnesses to notice it. A kirtle often used before corsets were often worn to create a slightly rounded and elevated appearance of the chest and torso before wearing a corset. Over time, the corset evolved into an undergarment in its own right.
German corsets traditionally had a pocket stitched into the front of them to accommodate a stiff cup inserted from on top to create a flat front. Horn, wood, or ivory were the most common materials used to make this busk. A sign of good breeding was rigid posture and a rigid and unnatural armhole position – the armholes were also quite far back to allow the wearer to appear rigid and upright.
Corsets made during the 16th century were typically made of a cotton-linen blend, linen, or an outer layer of satin, silk, or leather in cases of nobility. The lacing could be done on either the front or back of the garment and the garment was attached to a petticoat.
Corsets vs Cinchers for Waist Training
To prepare for waist training, you ought to have a good understanding of the differences between steel-boned corsets and latex waist trainers. In the form of waist cinchers, you can shape your abdomen efficiently. With a waist cincher, your clothes will appear slimmer underneath, and you’ll typically trim an inch or two off your waistline when it’s on. Most corsets are made of nylon and spandex, with some having plastic boning or “ribs.” If you carry your weight in your tummy, a corset can help create a waistline, but not the hourglass shape of a steel-boned corset.
The steel boned corset is been constructed from a durable, yet flexible fabric (cotton/satin/leather) that’s reinforced with steel boning (flexible steel rods) to cinch in your waist and accentuate your hips and bustline. The use of corsets will instantly shrink your waist by 3-6 inches (depending on what kind of body you have and how much fat you carry around your midsection). A corset gives you the ability to shape your body over time (like braces for your teeth) because their laces can be tightened, whereas waist cinchers (contrary to its name) can not because the closure is only eyelets and hooks instead of laces.
When a corset is tightened, the front busk (a component that consists of two steel stays and one loop) is fastened and the back laces are tied. Depending on the style, corsets can be worn over or under clothes. A corset can be made to fit around your midsection and have either an overbust or an underbust. Corsets can be worn under clothing, but we advise you to wear a layer between yourself and the corset, such as our Seamless Bamboo Corset Liners. Liner helps keep your corset in pristine condition and is more comfortable to tight lace for longer periods. In addition to corsets in a variety of different styles, corsets come in a variety of different lengths and curves to suit different body types.
How do you choose the best one? Many women find themselves waist training almost constantly, but sleeping in a steel-boned corset is not for everyone – and you should certainly not exercise while wearing one! You might benefit from both in that situation. The tighter the belt, the more comfortable it is for sleeping in and working out in, but still supportive and shaping. A corset can be hidden under clothing (specifically if it is mesh), but they are bulkier. If you need slimming help underneath a fitted top or dress, an elastic waistband is a more effective choice (since it operates exactly that way).
The Dangers and Benefits of Aesthetic Waist Training
In this section, we would discuss more the positives and negatives of using a corset and training your waist accordingly. Thus in this section, we would explain how it can harm you or benefit you in many ways. Take a look at all the positives henceforth.
It’s dangerous to trim your waistline for aesthetic purposes
It’s not easy losing weight and getting your ideal body, so there’s no surprise that waist training may seem like a simple and effective way to boost your appearance with little effort. Nevertheless, there can also be some things that are just too good to be true.
The types of waist trainers we’ve discussed above have been briefly touched on, but we’d like to talk more about the dangers of waist training. In general, people who wear corsets for medical reasons do so under the recommendation and supervision of a healthcare provider, and this is generally safe, but if your goal is to trim your waist for aesthetic reasons, proceed with caution.
The concept of waist training has been promoted and spoken about by celebrities for some time now. The majority of people do not know that you should wear your waist trainer for at least eight hours a day and a maximum of six weeks to achieve a temporary hourglass shape. Having a waist trainer, however, can have several drawbacks.
There are several dangers associated with waist training:
Waist trainers can harm your internal organs
Over a prolonged period, wearing a waist trainer, otherwise known as a waist cincher, that is uncomfortably tight, specifically, a steel-boned corset will cause your organs to move permanently, resulting in internal damage. Hurt!
As you undergo waist training, the doctors advise you to proceed with caution and not place undue pressure on your midsection, which also limits the blood flow to your organs, making you more vulnerable. Also, the upper organs can be moved upwards while the lower organs can be moved downwards. If your internal organs are misplaced, they can suffer painful consequences, not to mention be dangerous.
Your abdominal muscles will atrophy if you use waist trainers
To achieve the look you desire with waist trainers, most companies stress the need for regular exercise and a healthy diet in addition to regular waist training. By strengthening and improving your abdominals while training your waist, you can improve your overall health. Wearing your waist trainer too tight makes it impossible to take deep breaths, meaning you’re wearing it too tightly.
According to some healthcare professionals, wearing an abdominal trainer can make your abdominal muscles inactive, which can lead them to deteriorate. When this happens, the expression ‘use it or lose it’ is appropriate. Despite these debates, there is still much more research to be done before this topic can be fully addressed.
Waist trainers can cause skin irritation
When you wear a waist trainer that is so tightly fastened to your skin for a prolonged period, your skin can be chafed and you may become uncomfortable. You might think that a rash is just collateral damage necessary to achieve your hourglass look. In some cases, however, a rash can lead to an infection if it is left untreated.
Acid reflux has been associated with waist trainers in the past
By compressing your mid-section, your stomach can also be pressed in this process which can result in heartburn and indigestion. As a result of chronic acid reflux, you can develop gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD) and suffer permanent damage to the lining of your esophagus as the stomach acid burns your lining.
It may be difficult to breathe while wearing waist trainers
This extra pressure and unnecessary tightness can not only put pressure on your stomach but can also make it harder to breathe and lead to passing out. It will not be glamorous if you pass out at your workplace, regardless of whether or not you think you look good while you do it.
As a result, the whole internal network of your body is being forced into a waist trainer’s shape. You can take in less oxygen because of this restriction of your diaphragm, resulting in a reduction in the effectiveness of vital bodily functions.
There is a risk of bruising when wearing waist trainers
Traditional waist trainers are built very strongly, but modern waist trainers are not. Modern waist trainers are commonly built with less strength to impact and shape the bones. However, those which force your bones into an awkward position can result in bruising, which can be extremely painful.
In the face of social media marketing and the popularization of waist trainers, a problem arises. It is very common for women and now girls to use waist trainers before they reach their full potential to lose body fat and build muscle. The effects of these factors may negatively affect bone development in children.
Numbness may occur if you train your waist
The waist trainer can restrict your blood flow if it compresses your skin. A person can also experience pins and needles, causing numbness in their legs as well as pins and needles throughout their body.
An unfortunate side effect of waist trainers is the psychological damage
Although wearing a waist trainer may make you look slimmer and hourglass-shaped, the trainer gradually returns to its original shape when you remove it (granted that this typically occurs after many years of not using it). Thus, a waist trainer can either give you the illusion that you are in perfect shape when you are wearing it or leave you feeling disappointed when you remove it, which won’t provide you with a lasting solution.
Your disappointment might lead you to believe that your ideal body is unattainable, which in turn can negatively affect your perception of your actual body. This type of experience has the potential to be distressing and leave a lasting psychological mark.
To achieve a slimmer figure, you can train the waist
We have the most comprehensive information regarding the benefits of waist training and corsetry under the medical section. Before going into too much detail, let’s summarize some of the more obvious reasons why people are attracted to waist training:
Wearing waist trainers could be the key to fitting into your favorite pair of jeans
There is no other way to explain this. When you put on a waist trainer, you’ll see immediately how tight you have to tie it to create a slimmer waist and a more hourglass-like appearance. To achieve the desired result, you should not restrict your breathing or movement while wearing the waist trainer, but instead, pull your tummy in to make it appear flattered.
Waist trainers are useful for activating your core muscles
In theory, you might recruit your core muscles more easily during daily activities if your stomach is pulled in and your waist is tightened with the waist trainer. This approach is still debatable as to whether or not it is effective.
Wrist trainers are excellent exercises for improving posture
You should also engage your core muscles during this exercise. By maintaining the midsection tight and aligned, the waist trainer not only helps tighten the waist and stomach but also establishes good posture. Furthermore, your core muscles will also engage while performing this exercise, which will assist with correcting your posture. Thus, you can achieve better posture regardless of whether you are wearing a corset. Your back will be supported more if you wear a taller corset, and you will also be more inclined to sit and stand upright.
Trainers for your waist can boost your self-confidence
Besides making you look slimmer and making your bust size appear bigger when wearing your waist trainer, maintaining good posture can also boost your self-esteem. Training your waist can improve your confidence and is based on a theory that is real and conceived. When it comes to waist trainers and corsets, you should make sure that they suit the natural curvature of your spine.
Medical corsets offer several benefits
Waist training, as stated, has several destructive effects. Many people, however, find that medical treatment is their saving grace. Many people find that wearing a corset can help them with a variety of issues, and it has been demonstrated that it is a safe practice for certain conditions by several doctors over several years.
It is always a good idea to speak to your doctor about any medical concerns you may have. Corsetry isn’t for everybody, so make sure you consult with your healthcare provider before you decide so that you are making the right choice and so that they can keep track of your progress. Moreover, your healthcare professional will be able to inform you about the benefits and downsides of corsetry as well.
There are many advantages to corsetry:
The effectiveness of corsets in treating scoliosis
Corsets provide support to effectively prevent the sideways curve in the spine that can often contribute to very painful and even disabling scoliosis.
The medical corset can improve a person’s posture and correct their posture by correcting their posture. Wearing a corset over two to three months, for four to eight hours a day, over this period can provide relief and comfort, both physically and psychologically, to those who need it. Corsets can be worn at night by some women.
Joint hypermobility can be improved with corsets
Several people suffer from loose joints, which may cause them problems. A corset can function like an exoskeleton, which holds the body together and braces the back and torso.
Enhancing the effects of osteoporosis with corsets
When bones become brittle and weak, osteoporosis often causes severe back pain as the bones become less dense. Having a corset in place can significantly assist with back pain management by stabilizing the back and supporting the spine.
Using corsets to correct diastasis recti
Diastasis recti are also known as abdominal separation and occur when the large abdominal muscles separate. There’s a high likelihood that a woman over 35 will experience this condition if she delivered a high birth weight child or if she had multiple pregnancies.
Men who suffer from obesity and are middle-aged are also susceptible to this condition. If the abdominal muscles are tensed, this condition is evident as a bulge in the midsection of the stomach. Adding a corset to someone with this condition can sometimes help the muscles adhere together again and give the abdominal wall the appearance it has when they were younger. In the following paragraphs, we will discuss this further.
Bindings for the belly and corsets
The practice of postpartum belly binding is regarded as an ancient art form used in cultures around the world, and its usage is on the rise in western cultures.
Diastasis recti, as mentioned above, occurs when the abdominal muscles stretch and widen during pregnancy, which can result in a lack of core strength and even severe back pain. Essentially, this is similar to corsetry in that by binding the stomach, it can offer support, comfort, stability to the skin, muscles, and internal organs, this can in turn help with the recovery and healing of the postpartum body.
During the first one to two weeks following giving birth, it is recommended that women who gave birth naturally wear the abdominal binder. Following a C-Section, it’s recommended that you wear the binder for roughly four to six weeks. Each day, you should wear it for eight hours.
Compression therapy is performed with corsets
A technique used to treat anxiety is compression therapy. Corsets provide several therapeutic benefits. Wearing a corset can be viewed as a form of comfort by many people because of the way they feel embraced by it.
It can also be considered an effective form of therapy for those with autism, in instances where the patient dislikes being touched but seeks comfort from others. However, corsets can also be a hindrance in cases where a person feels confined or constricted instead of comforted. When this is the case, people should learn how to remove their corsets quickly.
The impact of corsets on headache reduction
Bad posture can cause some headaches due to the constriction of nerves in the spine. Currently, we know that wearing a corset prevents these nerves from constricting by improving posture. Due to this, the spine and the brain are better able to communicate, which may lead to fewer headaches.
Improvements in asthma with corsets
It is thought that arthritis sufferers who wear corsets benefit from their posture improvement, which improves breathing and allows their lungs to open up, thereby allowing them to breath more evenly and freely.
Performers can benefit from corsets that support their diaphragms
Corsets have been credited with helping singers reach higher notes by adding pressure to the diaphragm. Provided, however, that the corset does not restrict proper breathing, singers have also reported that they can strengthen their voice of the corset.
Using corsets to relieve menstrual cramps
Corsets have proved beneficial to some women during menstruation in relieving cramping. As a corset encloses your midsection, it puts pressure on the organs that stimulate uterine contractions, including the peritoneal. In terms of the amount and type of pressure, this is known to relieve menstrual cramps to an exceptional extent. That’s right, ladies, it can be that time of the month, and you may even have the ability to reduce cramps and look great too!
The use of corsets to prevent hernias
The pressure exerted by corsets on the abdominal area can act as a girdle and can thus prevent abdominal hernias. It is important to note, however, that wearing a corset when you already have a hernia in your abdominal region may make things worse.
The use of corsets by athletes
While this situation may be more of cosmetic use of waist trainers, it is now not just celebrities wearing waist trainers to look great, but athletes, specifically swimmers, are also being encouraged to wear waist trainers since they can assist them with achieving a more competitive form.
Even retired athletes may benefit from corset training, as some swimmers may have developed barrel chests from swimming, and this is as a result of an overly arched back, and corset training helps them get rid of this problem.
In addition to runners and bodybuilders, bodybuilders have discovered the benefits of wearing corsets regularly during warm-ups and exercises due to their allegedly thermogenic properties.
The Difference Between Extreme and Intermediate Waist Training
Now that we have discussed the countless benefits of corsetry and waist training for medical and even aesthetic reasons, it is time to close. At the other end of the scale, some are willing to go to extremes to achieve their desired appearance.
The hourglass figure may be desired by some women, but how far do they go? Corset use in the above examples and their advantages and disadvantages can be categorized as moderate or intermediate corset use. However, in some cases, corset users can go too far and tighten their waists to an extent that is harmful to their health.
There is an absurdly large breast-to-waist ratio in these women, and they look cartoonish. During situations such as these, it is common to see women wearing their waist trainers and corsets all day long, gradually tightening them more each day. Corsets with steel enforcement for extra cinching were worn for 23 hours per day over a few years.
To avoid bloating under these conditions, they would have to lessen their meal portions and eliminate foods that are carbonated and spicy. Various issues, such as fractured ribs or difficulty breathing can be caused by this level of compression. It has been suggested that the quest to achieve a smaller waist can develop into an addictive pursuit to achieve unattainable results.
It is a common practice that some women are even willing to go as far as having ribs removed, even removing six ribs. Cosmetic procedures are considered safe versus dangerous, but no legitimate doctor or surgeon should be willing to perform this because it directly compromises the organs’ safety.
Consider the fact that the primary function of the rib cage is to protect the vital organs of your body. The lowermost ribs are usually removed during rib-removal surgery for cosmetic reasons, but these ribs are positioned around vital organs like the kidneys, the gallbladder, and part of the stomach. After you have had your ribs removed, in case of a car accident or abdominal injury of some sort, the consequences of this are far far more likely to be fatal.
As a general rule, a rib removal surgery is only done when necessary, such as for growth concerns or bone cancer. It seems as if more and more women are opting for the procedure for cosmetic reasons to achieve their goal of a smaller waist circumference.
Is there another way to shape your waist?
If you want to reduce your waistline, there are safer methods.
- A balanced diet. Fresh, whole foods should be your focus, as well as portion control. Consume fewer sugary snacks and drinks, and eat fewer processed foods.
- Maintain a regular exercise schedule. Combining aerobic exercise with strength training can help tone and strengthen your muscles, as well as burn calories. With the help of a personal trainer, you can decide what workout routine is right for you.
- Shapewear that does not restrict movement. Undergarments that provide you with a sleeker silhouette without restricting your breathing are a good investment. Plastic boning is sometimes used for waist cinchers for increased comfort and freedom of movement.
- Make an appointment with your doctor. Discuss with your doctor how you can lose weight safely and effectively without affecting your health.
- Get in touch with a specialist. You can ask your doctor for a referral to a board-certified cosmetic or plastic surgeon if you are interested in changing specific parts of your body.
The Verdict on Corsetry and Waist Training
There have been several reports in which women have claimed that waist training can shape their bodies overtime to their desired size. These results are normally only achieved after years and years of unbroken waist training and even then, there is no guarantee that such a result will last.
Even though wearing a corset has clear benefits in the medical field, one might wonder what those benefits are aesthetical. Yes, when you make a corset, you are immediately satisfied, but it takes only a moment for your body to return to its natural shape. Thinking this way doesn’t offer much promise or satisfaction. There are, however, psychological benefits associated with corsetry on two levels.
On the one hand, you feel great about your appearance since you look slimmer and better than you normally do, and your posture has been improved as well, giving you a better appearance and a strong sense of confidence. As a result, once the corset has been taken off, you may feel negative about how you look in the real world.
By wearing a supportive and non-restrictive corset, your posture and core strength are said to improve, and this can provide you with several benefits, including those related to aesthetics (you look great when you are standing straight) and medicine (if you have any issues that need correcting).
When putting on a corset, make sure you make carefully informed decisions and understand the possible negative consequences. Make sure that your corset doesn’t impede your breathing if it’s poorly constructed or too constricting.
It is also important to understand there is no ‘one-size-fits-all approach to waist training. The response to corsets varies from person to person. Diet and exercise are crucial to achieving your desired body goals.
Confidence can be defined by an upright posture. Whenever your posture improves, your confidence and self-esteem increase tenfold. This will likely result in a loop of positive feedback. For example, if you are afflicted with scoliosis, poor posture, or a weak back, a well-made and comfortable corset can help you feel amazing.
Consult your healthcare provider concerning waist training, corsetry, and waist-cinching before embarking on any of these activities.
Corsetry FAQs
Does a waist trainer have to be worn for a long period?
The goal of waist training is not to lose weight quickly. Having a waist trainer may make you appear slimmer or smaller, but your body will regain its normal shape once it is taken off. To achieve permanent results, you might need to work up to 20 hours a day, 7 days a week, for two years to achieve a 25% reduction in waist circumference.
It is also important to remember that not everyone will respond well to waist training, and some will resist it more than others. Flexibility and strength of the core muscles are major factors in the success of waist training. Someone with a more flexible constitution and a rigid constitution will respond to a corset more quickly than someone with solid composition and a more flexible constitution.
The majority of women who practice waist training say that you need to wear your corset over an extended period if you want to fully train your waist.
The results that women see are temporary and only last a few days with corsets removed. Some women have worn theirs for decades and have seen results, but the results are often not permanent. The thought of waist training makes you wonder if it works…
Is it possible to lose weight with a waist trainer?
It is not true that waist trainers burn calories or cause fat loss. In addition to the danger of dehydration, there is also the danger of choking. Staying hydrated during a workout is important, as is drinking adequate amounts of water afterward.
When waist trainers are concerned, there is yet another theory of counter-productivity. Wearing a waist trainer during exercise can allow your midsection to be supported, but your muscles will also be allowed to relax rather than be engaged. According to the American Council on Exercise, wearing a waist trainer can also allow your muscles to relax instead of being engaged. There is a consequent decrease in calories burned. Furthermore, the Council warns that wearing a corset can increase your body temperature, making it difficult for you to complete high-intensity workouts.
Are there any benefits to weight loss?
Body fat can still be reduced with a waist trainer, but abdominal fat can be compacted with it. Although it can move the internal organs, it can also push them into unnatural positions.
What about working out in it?
A person shouldn’t wear a waist trainer while working out, even though waist trainer enthusiasts believe that you can wear it. It can be difficult to breathe when wearing waist trainers.
During pregnancy, can it be worn?
Women should talk to their doctors before wearing a waist trainer while pregnant. It could cause problems for the developing fetus if a waist trainer places pressure on the abdomen.