Do waist trainers actually work? We find out by wearing one for a week

By Trinette Sands

First of all - what is a waist trainer?

Waist training is the process of reducing your natural waist size and accentuating curves with the aid of waist trainer or a tight-laced corset. These garments are meant to give the wearer an exaggerated hourglass figure, which is a tiny waist and curves over the hips.

The waist trainer has been around since the Victorian times (though known as a corset then) but was made popular again by the Kardashians. 

But does it actually work? I bought one and tested it out by wearing it for a week. 

I opted to buy mine from waisttrainer.co.nz - Kylie Jenner has actually donned one of this NZ companies waist trainers before! 

I got the 'Flexi Trainer' for $59.00 in a size 6-8.

Day one and two of wearing the waist trainer was, to be frank, uncomfortable. I felt dull nausea for the two days which was a bit unsettling, to be honest.

Waisttrainer.co.nz say that the waist trainer's purpose is to get you in the habit of:

1) Eating smaller food portions (making you feel fuller)

2) Standing upright (improving your posture to reduce back pain)

3) Motivation (providing motivation and a constant reminder of your goals)

Did it make me eat smaller portions? I believe not, no. The ZM team went out for our monthly Curry Club and I was still able to smash back a butter chicken and garlic naan... LOL. 

Did it improve my posture? It didn't seem to, no. 

Did it provide motivation? Sometimes! When I felt a bit tight in it I thought to myself "did you really need to eat that much?".

Results wise I measured my waist at the beginning of the week and also at the end and found no change in my measurements.

You might find better results with wearing it for an extended period but I'm overall going to say that I would not recommend a waist trainer to anyone. 

Why not?

- After taking it off I found my whole stomach waist area to be itchy

- The wire in mine actually pushed through the lining after only 2 days of wearing it - so was not of high quality and then was uncomfortable to wear for the remaining week. 

- It's not going to be a miracle worker. It doesn't reduce fat, the only way to do that is through healthy eating and exercise.

- It's unnatural to try and redefine your body shape. 

- They're not good for you. Doctors warn against wearing waist trainers, as they can put added and unwanted pressure on the midsection, limiting blood and oxygen flow to vital organs which can be dangerous.

Just love your waist the way it is girl!