The controversy over waist trainers is real. Ask a doctor and they may tell you of the dangers of wearing a waist trainer and how it compresses your organs or makes you unable to breathe. But check social media and your workout partner and they make you think you have to have it! But which is it? Should I wear the waist trainer or not?
As a fitness trainer and mom of six daughters, I know what it feels like to be frustrated with my body, particularly my midsection. Like most women, I want to use whatever products or garments I can to help me look and feel good, so I do wear a waist trainer regularly. I can definitely feel the difference in the support of my spine and my ability to keep my core muscles engaged. However, the reality is, with proper training, form, and technique, I can achieve that without the use of a corset or waist trainer—and so can you.
Activating your core muscles and bringing your spine into neutral alignment is something you can do which is just as beneficial to your posture and spine, without restricting your organs or having your breathing impeded. But for those of us who wear our trainers, it really does make us feel and look better when we have it on. I know it does for me.
Knowing this, many women like the idea of waist training and for aesthetic purposes, which I personally think, is okay. Like I said, I’ve had six daughters and want my tummy flat as much as the next person, and if wearing a trainer makes me feel better about myself, I think it’s a great resource and easy fix. However, the health concerns of waist trainers are not ones to overlook.
For example, if the waist trainer is so tight that you have difficulty breathing, that is not good. Having your airway forcefully constricted while exercising or wearing the trainer throughout the day may cause you to pass out, and there’s nothing sexy in that. The waist trainer cannot be too tight.
The other thing about wearing a waist trainer is that it could cause skin irritation, which I have personally experienced—and that’s also no fun. Plus, bear in mind, a skin irritation can lead to a rash or infection. We definitely don’t want to give our bodies any unnecessary health concerns right now; we want to keep ourselves healthy.
So what is the final say? Should we wear waist trainers or not? My answer to this is simple: the choice is yours. If you are wearing your waist trainer to flatten your midsection, know that the fact of the matter is, to do that, you are going to have to lower your sugar and fatty food intake, increase your water and do exercises that strengthen and stabilize your core—all of which can be accomplished without the use of a waist trainer. And, if you are going to wear it, make sure it isn’t too tight to the point it compresses your organs, and most importantly, make sure you are able to breathe
Lastly, getting that sculpted, hourglass figure is a process. As you exercise, make healthy eating choices, and choose clothes that are flattering for your figure, remember, health and fitness is a process so be kind to yourself along the way. You can achieve your ideal body image through consistent action toward your goal. – Elana D. Anthony, M.A., M.S., C.F.T. a.k.a. The Fitness Evangelist
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