Since time immemorial, marketers have sold products designed to cinch the Waist Trainer. From whalebone stays of the 18th and 19th centuries to girdles under 1950s frocks, stomach-squishing garments have been touted as important tools for sculpting an hourglass figure and shedding weight.
The Male Perspective: Navigating Waist Training for Men
Waist trainers, also called binders or fajas, are tight elastic or neoprene bands fastened around the torso with Velcro, hooks, or zippers to hold them in place. They’re often worn under clothes during exercise and, according to the manufacturers, help shape the waist, firm the tummy, and improve posture.
But if worn for long periods, they can damage the body, experts say. For one, the compression that’s part of the waist trainer’s design—to make you look thinner, for example—can lead to bloating or constipation because it interferes with digestive flow. And if you wear one while working out, it can inhibit normal breathing by compressing the diaphragm and restricting air flow.
In addition, the waist trainers can cause back pain and even lead to hernias because they can squeeze the abdominal muscles so tightly, which weakens them over time, says Vargo. Lastly, it’s impossible to lose fat with waist training alone. “Fat cells cannot be moved or broken down with pressure, as many waist trainers claim,” Dr. Maria Lombardo, a cosmetic surgeon who specializes in breast and body contouring, told the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. “Any weight loss you see is likely just water loss from sweating.”