What is waist training and corsetry?
From the introduction of corsetry, the concept of waist training was developed. The whole idea behind waist training is that if you wear a corset on a regular basis over a set amount of time, then your body will start to retain a certain shape and the size of your waist will be reduced. However, there is no scientific evidence that has been found to support the theory... Regardless of what celebrities say.
What is the difference between waist training and corsetry?
Some people will differentiate between waist training and corsetry. Waist training is said to be the gradual reduction of your natural waist through consistently wearing a corset.
Corsetry on the other hand, refers to an undergarment worn for aesthetic or medical purposes. It is used for fashion, fun, costuming, and for back support amongst other medical reasons.
In the first part of this article, we will be talking about aesthetic waist training, after which, we will move into the medical reasons for corsetry.
Traditionally, waist-training is the term used to refer to the use of a steel-boned corset that is created to help the wearer to achieve the look of an exaggerated hourglass shape. Through cinching the corset very tightly, waist training corsets are able to pull a woman’s figure in to compress the ribs and even rearrange the internal organs in order to effectively reduce the circumference and size of her waist. Doesn’t sound so fun, does it? Despite the discomfort, the effect is only semi-permanent and requires the use of continued corseting, even after the reduction goal is achieved.
The different types of aesthetic waist trainers out there
Waist trainers have evolved from the once ‘busked’ corsets of the past. You don’t have to be social media savvy to know of celebrities or friends of yours who endorse and swear by the benefits of waist training. But, before you jump on the bandwagon, it’s best that you know what kind of waist trainers are out there today.
There are a number of different waist trainers, cinchers or even waist tamers (the terms are often used interchangeably), on the market today. It is important that you research which style will be best for you and your goals. Waist trainers can range from moderately rigid to extremely rigid and steel-enforced. The more moderate kinds of waist trainers are popular as they are deemed more comfortable as they are less restrictive to both your waistline and wallet.
Some waist trainers are designed to increase the thermal activity of your midsection, which in theory, is believed to burn more calories and result in a smaller waist, whilst other waist trainers are designed for the more traditional waist training.
Waist cinchers are often used daily and have been known to reduce the size of your midsection significantly. There are also workout cinchers that are made using stronger materials and are designed to be used during a workout and exercising. These stimulate the perspiration in your midsection, but they are not made to be worn for an extended time period.
The theory is that the more you perspire, the more calories you are able to burn. This however, is not true, as sweating more does not necessarily influence calories burned or fat loss, but simply results in temporary water loss and as a result, size reduction. When your body loses water, it is not the same as burning off actual fat. These types of workout cinchers should not be worn for more than three or four hours a day.
Most celebrities and social media icons who are publicly endorsing corsets, make use of an elastic corset which is made from a stiffened material and latex. It is more comfortable and convenient to wear.
A corsetiere is someone who can help you in finding the best corset for your body shape and your goals.
Bear in mind that no waist trainer is going to be a magic solution for an instantly slimmer waist. Yes, when you put on a tight corset, you may appear slimmer, but once you take that off, the benefits swiftly disappear. Therefore, you will still need to undergo plenty of time in the gym and stick to a healthy diet.