Corset Myths: 5 Myths about Waist Training

Corset Myths: 5 Myths about Waist Training

There’s a lot of misinformation floating around where corsets and waist training are concerned, but you needn’t fall prey to corset myths/waist training myths that are little more than misguided beliefs and sensationalism.  If you want to know the truth, read on to discover a slew of common myths debunked.

Cinchers and Corsets are Interchangeable

You can blame this one on celebs who wear cinchers to the gym and call it “waist training”.  To this I would like to say, stop listening to uninformed celebrities.  The Kardashians are experts at self-promotion, not korsetry.  If you want to take their advice on how to get famous for being famous, go right ahead, but don’t assume they know the first thing about corsets or waist training.

Cinchers are flexible body shapers designed to smooth imperfections.  A corset, on the other hand, features rigid steel boning, robust fabric panels, and lacing designed to provide structure and support in an adjustable garment that whittles your waist line and flatters your form.  It’s more than simple shapewear; it’s a way to achieve the exaggerated hourglass figure you crave and maintain semi-permanent results with long-term training.

Corsets are Hazardous to Your Health

We’ve all heard the laughable myths about women removing ribs to reduce barriers to tightlacing, but what about the theory that corsets compress your organs?  To be honest, this isn’t all myth.  The fallacy is believing that this is somehow harmful to your health.

Do you know what happens when you’re pregnant?  The baby growing inside you starts pushing your internal organs aside to make room – hence, bladder leaks with increasing frequency.  And yet, nobody tells you not to get pregnant.  The amount of compression from a corset is nothing compared to the stresses pregnancy places on your body, so maybe don’t worry so much about this one.

Along these same lines, is it commonly believed that corsets are bad for your back, when just the opposite is true.  A custom-fit corset can help to align your spine and support better posture, which is extremely beneficial for reducing lower back pain and strengthening core muscles.

When you think about it, is there really much difference between a corset and a back brace, besides the fact that the corset also winnows your waist and looks great on?  If you have an existing medical condition and you’re worried that wearing a corset may exacerbate it, simply speak with your doctor first.

Waist Training is Self-Destructive

Ugh.  This argument is the worst, and is frequently spewed by people who have never even tried on a corset, much less committed to a long-term waist training regimen.  Is rearranging your teeth with braces considered self-destructive?  What about piercing your ears?  Admittedly, lower back tattoos could be considered some form of personal punishment…um, maybe just say no to those.

However, there are all kinds of body modification that are considered perfectly reasonable by modern standards, and the results of waist training are far less potentially harmful and not nearly as permanent as many.  So what’s the deal?  Let’s just chalk it up to people not liking what they don’t understand, or perhaps not understanding female empowerment through body mods.

Women Who Waist Train are Lazy

Oh no you didn’t!  Women who waist train are anything but lazy – waist training is a long and sometimes arduous process that requires dedication!  Yes, corsets do provide immediate smoothing and slimming benefits, but true waist training entails months or even years of everyday wear and incremental gains to achieve targeted results in waist size reduction.  Honestly, diet and exercise could prove easier and faster, if not quite as targeted to specific areas.

Waist Training Makes Women Weak

There is a common stereotype revolving around women in corsets fainting from the slightest exertion, like walking from the kitchen to the couch or having a titillating conversation.  However, plenty of active women wear corsets and manage to get by without passing out every five minutes.  Even during the Victorian era, when corsets were de rigueur, women attended balls and engaged in vigorous dance, proving that ladies in corsets can trip the light fantastic with the best of them.

While modern women may not have the opportunity to waltz or two-step on the average day, plenty of busy professionals and moms are able to live, work, and play while wearing a steel boned corset, provided they waist train responsibly.  When women look and feel great, they’re going to feel empowered to live their best lives and enjoy every moment.


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