Hey #fitfam, welcome back! Today we’re going to take a dive into the great waist/body shaper debate and determine if the super popular accessory is a good ‘fit’ for you. The starting point for this conversation is to understand the recent history of the waist shaper and how it has become a go-to and must have item for many individuals who seek a slimmer look in their midsection.
While I cannot provide an exact date as to when waist shapers became a more mainstream item, I can date it back to approximately 2016 when advertisements and recommendations became more prevalent. Initially, it was easy to find 2 types of shapers to include the neoprene version which was stretchy and simply wrapped around the body attached with velcro. This version was fairly flexible and only lightly restrictive and could be found on women and men, in and out of gyms. The more female dominant version featured a zipper closure which could be tightened as the midsection shrunk; the zipper closure might range from 46 inches down to 30 inches, depending on the person. In addition, the zipper closure model typically included a stiff ‘spine’ and support on the sides running from the ribcage down to the hip area.
And this is where the problem begins – is a waist shaper safe to use and in what conditions should they be used?
In my personal opinion, backed by a bit of science, restrictive waist shapers are unsafe and can cause improper form and damage to internal organs. Here’s how it works: many individuals do not read the guidance before using a shaper and just put it on for hours at a time. Taking a moment to pause, most shapers recommend that the user wear the item for a fixed amount of time and not doing a workout. The issues lies in the way the shaper restricts flexibility and prevents the user from moving properly, especially during a workout. These restrictions lead to improper form and in some cases, injury. A more serious concern is the possibility of internal organs being compressed and damaged. If the garment is too tight, the expansion and retraction of the midsection is restricted to the point that the function of the organs is diminished. I do not recommended using these items during a workout and if you must use one, I recommend that it is used like a corset to contour your body for a certain look for an event or taking photos.
The soft, flexible velcro type is the best to wear under your clothing and can be worn for extended periods. Though these can be used safely during a workout, I suggest that the item be removed for ab-focused exercises as the goal is to allow the natural expansion and retraction of the core.
Hopefully these tips will shed some light on the topic and help you in making an informed decision about whether or not you will begin or continue to use a waist shaper.
If you are interested in following along with my journey or contacting my company, I can be found on social media platforms:
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This is a very helpful article. I’ve always been skeptical of wearing waist shapers during workout. Thanks for sharing!
I’m glad I was able to shed some light on the subject. Though I am not fully opposed to waist shapers, I do not recommend them and I advise that they be used with caution.
Well, I guess it’s a good product for back support during work out.
The shapers with a spine can offer some support, but not as much as an actual back brace that is designed for exercising safely. For support, a lifting belt would be recommended or brace that wraps around you and has supports in the back but not on the sides.
These are great tips! I hadn’t thought about the dangers of wearing a waist trainer working out. I don’t use one, but this is good to keep in mind for the future.
Thank you so much for reading!
Thanks for the info. I never really understood these waist shapers.Now I feel as if I would be more apt to try one.
I’m glad that I could help to shed some light on the subject for you. If you decide to try one, please check out the product reviews before purchasing, there could be some crucial advice in there.
Thanks for giving such a good break down about this.
Thank you for reading!
Yes! I totally agree that they do more harm than good. This was an excellent post.
Thank you for reading Noelle!
I’ve acutally never even heard of a waist shaper. When I saw the picture, I thought, “I need that!”. After reading the article, I think I’ll pass on this gadget.
Hi Carrie, waist trainers/shapers have their benefits, unfortunately, social media has tainted the public viewpoint of how they actually work. My biggest point on trainers/shapers is to limit how long your wear it, don’t wear it during a work out, and try not use the corset type with the hard plastic spine in it.