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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 |
curitiba, parana, brazil
Exactly 🙂 “no quick fixes or easy ways out in life and in fitness”- this is so true! Surely we are here because we believe it also…very nice comment Zuzka! See you, take care.
Private Member |
I have scolioses, wore a corset 23 hours a day, for 2 years and a month. It was made of hard plastic and pressed so hard on my ribs that I got big blue-purple pressure marks. I’m not a big person, but that little belly fat I had did definitely not disappeared. What did disappeared tho (however, with the absence of simple exercises I was meant to be doing) was my core and back muscles. Not really the same type of corset, but anyway… can’t imagine wonders being made by a corset (unless it’s fashion wise). 😉
Private Member |
A good meal plan, a coach like ZUska, and a positve attitude and yes all of us will be in shape.
All best from Romania Zuska
Private Member |
seattle, washington
I agree! This is just trying to sweat fat away. There is no science behind it, just laziness!
Private Member |
la valette-du-var, france
I get bellyaches just by wearing tight clothes… this looks like torture ! I can’t even imagine how it’s compressing all the organs and provoking an awful traffic jam !
Private Member |
I can’t believe that with all the modern knowledge about fitness and health out there people would buy into this and believe it works.
Private Member |
pembroke pines, florida (fl), usa
Hi Zuzka,
What about if you recently had a baby or if you have a diastasis recti?
Private Member |
toluca, state of mexico, mexico
Hi Zuzka!
I think it looks funny and uncomfortable!! when I do excercise I don´t like to cover myself too much, I mean, a pair of short pants and a bright top or tank look good and feels good, what we need in order to progress is to do our workout every day, period! hahaha
In my case, beautiful and bright clothes keeps me inspired (sth that my fiancee suffers sometimes hahaha) Please ladies, lets do our workout, and eat as clean as possible, sooner or later we´ll obtain something good.
What you have into your head, definetely looks outside!! don´t you think?
Private Member |
There is something that waist trainers are good for, and that is reducing a diastasis recti. They have been used from the beginning of time for this purpose. They are used continually for 200 days, which is how long it takes for the linea alba (the collagen connective tissue that has stretched, in the middle of one’s stomach) to completely regrow. If the muscles are pushed together for this long the linea alba will grow in tight and pull those muscles back to where they should be. This is not a fad, but a fact. It doesnt help you lose weight or increase muscle, and it can weaken a core if you do not work out properly during this time, but it can and does get rid of the diastasis.
Private Member |
Thanks for sharing this Zuzka! I’ve noticed the trend too even among women who profess to be all about healthy diet and exercise, whilst promoting them to other women. One even said her PT recommended them! When my fiance and I saw them cropping up on our newsfeed we sighed (he’s an exercise physiologist too) and shook our heads! Thanks for sharing, love your insights 🙂