Are Waist Trainers Bad For You?

Featured Corset: Bella Pink Satin Corset

There’s a lot of confusion about what corsets are and are not.  They are not medieval torture devices intended to constrain women.  They aren’t a tangible expression of the patriarchy’s vice-like grip on a hobbled female populace.  And they certainly aren’t a political statement, unless that statement is “I can do what I damn well please with my own body”.

Corsets are, in fact, supportive undergarments designed to provide smoothing and compression, and when you waist train properly, they can deliver the added benefit of semi-permanently slimming your waistline.  Are waist trainers bad for you?  They are not inherently bad or good because they’re inanimate objects.  As with any tool, the best possible results come from appropriate use.

So, how can you make sure that your corsets offer the greatest benefits and deliver anticipated results?  You must understand how to use them safely and effectively for your purposes.

Choosing the Right Corset

There’s a common inclination among waist training novices to purchase corsets that are too small, but this is a big mistake.  Corsets are designed to fit your body and provide the room to cinch a bit at a time.  Sure, you might want to lose 4-6 inches off your waist right now, but squeezing into a corset that’s too small and cinching too tight too soon is neither safe nor effective.

You need to choose a corset that is appropriately sized for the body you have, not the body you want.  With a proper waist training schedule, you’ll eventually size down to your goal without bruising your torso or cinching so tight that you can’t breathe and you faceplant on your floor in a dead faint.  Girl, no one is looking at your tiny waist when you broke your face.

The Quality Conundrum

When it comes to consumer goods, there are definitely going to be times when a price tag is based on nothing more than the prestige of the label. 

However, there are also plenty of times when you get what you pay for, and this is certainly the case with corsetry.  If you want a steak, you’re not going to pay drive-thru prices.

The trouble, of course, is that you might want to save some money when you’re just staring out.  Until you know if you’re going to enjoy waist training, you probably don’t want to make a huge investment.

That said, purchasing a cheap corset comes with caveats like discomfort and shoddy construction that could turn you off to waist training before you really give it a chance.

The good news is, there’s a happy medium.  While you’ll want to stay away from cheap costume corsetry, you don’t necessarily have to spring for bespoke garments that could set you back hundreds of dollars.

You simply have to choose a steel boned corset designed for waist training, make sure to take accurate measurements (underbust, waist, hip, and torso length), and if possible, try before you buy to make sure you select a model that fits snugly and comfortably.

Following a Waist Training Regimen

It’s natural to question the pros and cons of any new health or beauty regimen before you start.  This is why it’s so important to do your research and waist train the right way.

Are waist trainers bad for you?  Generally speaking, the answer is no, but if you rush the process, you’re bound to have some problems along the way.

The best way to go about waist training in a safe and effective manner is to understand that it’s a marathon, not a sprint. 

You need to set realistic goals and create a sensible timeline to reach them.  In truth, there is no one right way to waist train.  However, you can start simply enough by finding guides online to create a basic waist training schedule, and then adjust as needed to suit your own needs and preferences.

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