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The Ridiculousness of ‘Waist Training!’
Fitness | July 08, 2015
Sometimes I’m amazed at some of the trends in fitness and beauty. There are already enough obstacles on our particular paths toward fitness and wellbeing to last a lifetime. The last thing we need as women are concepts or trends that lead us on a ridiculous wild goose chase that ultimately leads to a dead end of fitness frustration.
One newest trend that crosses over into the realms of style, beauty and maybe even stupidity is the wearing of ‘waist trainers.’ Apparently waist trainers are a more ‘manageable’ corset that one can wear under clothing to give one’s figure a more hourglass shape. Of course, they also artificially flatten one’s stomach. They may also dangerously increase the need to have an emergency bowel movement after a dinner, but that’s just a guess on my part :). It’s all the rage with a fair amount of celebs too though, of course, their endorsements should always being taken with a grain of salt. More than likely, they are getting paid to rave about the products they promote.
As for the silly claims regarding waist training, don’t believe the hype! The claims are mainly snake oil. Waist trainers will not help you lose weight or build your abs according to Stephen Ball, a professor of Exercise and Nutrition Physiology at the University of Missouri. Ball insists that only benefit is a temporary, cosmetic one.
Dr. Caroline Apovian, a professor of medicine at Boston University School of Medicine echoes Professor Ball’s point as well. She states that there is absolutely zero evidence of waist trainers triggering fat loss or building muscle. Apovian suggests that if you’re aware that waist trainers are simply worn for cosmetic purposes then maybe wearing them once in a while is harmless.
However, wearing them too often may in fact weaken one’s core muscles. Richard Cotton, and exercise physiologist out of Indianapolis believes that constant use of a waist trainer may cause the muscles that make up the core to weaken due to all the artificial support.
I think the worst thing about waist trainers is that it’s a huge step backward for women. Looking good and feeling good should not involve devices that were often considered torturous. What’s next? Boundfoottrainers? Seriously though, there are no quick fixes or easy ways out in life and in fitness. That said, I’ll see you at the ZGYM :).
Have you tried a waist trainer or know someone who has? What do you think about them?
Private Member |
ky, usa
Haha this reminds me of a girl in high school who swore she lost inches off her waist by sucking in her stomach (even when she was no longer sucking in her stomach she said).
Private Member |
There is some legitimate truth to the sucking your belly in thing. Back in the olden days of bodybuilding they used to some pose where their stomachs were sucked in in order to give a more wasp-like visage. To do this they would train “vaccuums” where they would stand up straight, shoulders back, suck their guts in and hold it (or do it for reps I would imagine as well). This didn’t make them lose fat or anything, but by strengthening those very, VERY, overlooked muscles it achieved a narrower, more greyhoundesque midsection even when not sucked in. A sort of postural correction I suppose. The whole concept was lost when big blocky abs and trunks came into style, but it helped create the effect these atrocious squeems/corset training fads are promising to women without all the money wasting, intestine crushing, stupidity.
Private Member |
Yes. For example Arnold Schwarzenegger used to use this technique to achieve his typical waist. And also there are few poses in yoga that use sucking belly in in order to train inner muscles and massage bowels.:)
Private Member |
I’ve seen fashion bloggers blog about them and it makes me sad (and a little upset). I’ve also read articles about girls who have used them that need surgery because they can be really harmful! I can’t understand why people would do that to themselves!
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newark, de, usa
I wear corsets but not to train my waist or shred pounds lol. I wear mine because I like to dress in Victorian and steampunk attire. I wear mine just for fashion. I still make sure i exercise everyday.
Private Member |
Same here! I love corsets for fashion but, of course, no piece of clothing can replace good eating habits and regular exercise. 🙂
Private Member |
ponte vedra beach, fl
I wore them after baby #3 and 4. In terms of post natal they’re awesome for bringing that big belly back in. After 1 week my stomach was flat…flabby but flat. It also feels good b/c after you have a baby you have this weird empty feeling in your gut and it helps hold it in and stop that feeling. They are so uncomfortable though for more than a few hours at a time.
Private Member |
That just looks uncomfortable.
Private Member |
helsinki, finland
Thank you Zuzka so much for this post!
How funny, that you just wrote about this, because I’ve been thinking this lately. One of my very good friend has kept the corset over a year and she got really thin waist. She’s a fitness person and wanted to have a better waist to be a better competitor. So, I’ve been thinking too, that should I get one corset also. But I don’t do fitness though, I just wondering to get it for “fun”, for myself 🙂 You make me think this again.. Thank you <3
Private Member |
So silly. maybe women wear them for different reasons but for fat loss? too funny.
Private Member |
I have never heard of corsets – or ‘waist trainers’ – (tis the same thing) promoting any sort of weight loss or core strength… It’s the exact opposite – just as you wrote, it will more than likely weaken your core if one makes a habit of wearing them every day.
I occasionally wear a corset for a fancy night out, but it is purely for cosmetic reasons. Can you imagine having your insides squished and breathing impaired all day, every day? O.o No thanks…
Private Member |
Why would I want to wear something that causes pain and discomfort?
I feel similar to thong panties…my husband loves them, and I tell him, “why don’t you put a pair on and see how it feels?” lol.
I want comfort and freedom!!!
Private Member |
I am anti waist trainer but I know any people who use them. They are for appearances, to make it look like they have a small waist and a big butt. They would rather do this then do the work to strengthen their glutes and flatten their belly. They are also the same people who would do a diet gimmick or surgery then get in the gym. I would rather work for mine then perpetrate.