Often, people get frustrated when traditional methods of diet and exercise do not produce the weight loss they want and turn to “quick fix” methods such as supplements and devices to aid weight loss. In recent times, waist trainers and waist trimmers have taken the beauty world by storm, as the new waist trimmers in the market promise weight loss along with slimming.
So, what exactly is a waist trimmer? A waist trimmer is essentially a girdle or a belt, usually made of neoprene, that you wear around your waist. Neoprene is synthetic rubber and is not breathable and when worn around the waist while working out, the heat that is generated around your midsection causes you to sweat more. And, when the body gets heated up, it needs to work harder to bring down the temperature to the normal level which causes the extra calories to be burned and results in weight loss.
Using a waist trimmer is quite simple. The waist trimmer usually comes rolled in a box. You simply need to unroll and stretch it out. Then, hold both the ends of the belt and wrap it around your abdominal area. Ensure that the belt covers the entire torso comfortably and also covers the front of your abdomen properly.
Wearing a waist trimmer will make you slimmer immediately because it is made of strong elastic and when wrapped tightly around your midsection, it will make your waist and stomach look much smaller and create an illusion of a slimmer waistline. A waist trimmer can help you achieve a slimmer profile at least temporarily.
How Does a Waist Trimmer Work?
Waist trimmers work by increasing the core body temperature and keeping it high while you work out, which gets released by the body otherwise. As a result of the overall increase in the core body temperature, the following occurs:
Are All Waist Trimmers Effective?
Neoprene waist trimmers are made specifically for wearing while you work out as it heats up your midsection and the higher core temperature can help in detoxification and burning of fat. Immediately after the workout, you may feel and look slimmer because of water loss, which is usually replaced when you rehydrate. However, there are extra calories which are burned when the body tries to balance the temperature and this can help in weight loss in the long run.
But, for a long-lasting effect, you should wear the waist trimmer regularly while exercising and also to maximize the effect, you should maintain a healthy diet along with maintaining a regular workout routine.
And, it is important to understand that not all waist trimmers are equally effective and for the desired result, you should choose the right one. For the waist trimmer to be effective, it should be made of high-quality materials such as neoprene, which is soft and comfortable to wear while you exercise and at the same time, it helps to increase the core temperature of the body. Also, you should ensure that the waist trimmer is secured firmly and is in place while you exercise. Usually, the best of the waist trimmers have metal hooks and Velcro straps that offer a snug and comfortable fit.
It is also very important to remember that you should wear the waist trimmer as per the manufacturer’s recommendations and should not be worn for prolonged periods. You should take off the waist trimmer after exercising, as it compresses the internal organs, which can result in health problems in the long run. Also, you must gradually increase the time that you wear the waist trimmer and the time you exercise; nevertheless, consistency is important for your success.
Advantages of Waist Trimmers
Apart from just weight loss and achieving a slimmer waist, a waist trimmer has many other benefits.
Has Slimming Effects
While the actual effect of a waist trimmer in helping you lose weight is not really known, you can definitely see the immediate slimming effect on your waist when you wear a waist trimmer. Since the waist trimmer is made of elasticized neoprene and is fastened tightly around your waist, it acts like a modern corset, which creates an illusion of a slimmer waist, even if it does not sculpt your middle section permanently.
Offers Back Support
Often people suffering from back and spine trauma are advised to wear waist trimmers. This helps to support the back and is the best way to improve the posture that quickens the healing. Usually, compression is used as a part of recovery during physiotherapy and can be beneficial if you suffer from a bad back, poor posture and back pain at the end of your day.
And, if you suffer from lower back problems, then using a waist trimmer can offer extra support to sit upright and also take away the pressure from the lower back.
Acts as a Diet Reminder
Wearing a waist trimmer can serve as a reminder that you should exercise regularly and follow a healthy diet, which can help you lose weight in a healthy manner. A constant compression on the waist can be a reminder that instead of binge eating, you should eat mindfully and workout. Wearing a waist trimmer can be a continual reminder of your fitness objectives and be a source of encouragement and motivation to achieve them.
You Can Wear a Waist Trimmer Anytime and Anywhere
The best thing about a waist trimmer us that you can wear one anytime and anywhere at all. You can simply wear it under your clothes while you’re at home, going out grocery shopping, while you go to work or simply sitting on your couch and watching TV. Since the waist trimmer is made of nonporous neoprene rubber, it collects the sweat allowing you to use it anytime or anywhere you want.
Helps to Reduce Belly Fat
Fat, especially around the belly is extremely difficult to get rid of. However, proper exercise along with using the waist trimmer as an accessory can help you shrink the size of your midsection. The best part is that wearing the waist trimmer is very convenient and hence you can use it anywhere and anytime at all, even while you exercise.
Improves Posture
Having good body posture can add to your personality and self-confidence. Wearing a waist trimmer can help to correct your body posture significantly. By tightening the grip around your stomach, it forces you to sit or stand upright and prevents you from slouching. Also, wearing the waist trimmer while exercising offers additional support.
Boosts Self-Confidence
Probably the best benefit of wearing a waist trimmer is that it helps to boost your self-confidence. If you’re short, then a good, upright posture can make you seem much taller than you are. Also, wearing a waist trimmer gives you the motivation you need to eat mindfully and follow a healthy diet and exercise regularly.
Side Effects of Waist Trimmers
Generally, waist trimmers are considered fairly safe to use and people who use them to enhance their weight loss do not experience any health issues or any other problems while using the waist trimmer. However, it is a good idea to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for use of the waist trimmer because it does produce a little compression. It is better to avoid excessive use of the belt, or you may experience some problems related to prolonged compression.
If you suffer from some chronic health problem and you are worried about using a waist trimmer, then it is a good idea to consult your medical practitioner before using one. Also, buying a high-quality waist trimmer will help you shed fat without any side effects.
While waist trimmers have their advantages there may be some drawbacks too and inappropriate use of the waist trimmer can cause the following side effects.
Discomfort
Wearing a constricting garment around your waist continuously is bound to make you feel uncomfortable and restricted. It will take a little bit of time and you will get used to the feeling in no time at all.
Dehydration
A very common side effect of excessive use of a waist trimmer is dehydration. Since the belt is made from neoprene, the core body temperature gets elevated and causes excessive sweating. If you wear a waist trimmer but do not hydrate properly, you can get dehydrated and it may cause problems like weakness, dizziness, and headaches. So, you must drink plenty of water while wearing a waist trimmer and exercising.
Compression
Waist trimmers work by exerting compression around the abdominal area. This compression is quite safe for a few hours a day and does not cause any harm. However, prolonged usage of the waist trimmer or using it beyond the recommendation of the manufacturer can put excessive pressure on the organs and result in poor functioning, especially the digestive system, which can get affected and cause problems such as poor digestion, acid reflux, flatulence, and others.
Irritation of the Skin
Skin irritation is quite a common side effect of using a waist trimmer. Since wearing a waist trimmer causes the heating of the area around the waist and abdomen which results in excessive sweating, if there is no air circulation, it can cause skin irritation such as redness, itching, rashes or acne. To prevent these problems, it is recommended that you start by wearing the waist trimmer for short periods of time, like 10-15 minutes, and then increase the duration gradually.
Skin Burns
If you wear the waist trimmer for extended periods of time, you may suffer from skin burns, and if the belt becomes loose while you’re exercising, your skin may get scratched or cut. So, ensure that you secure the waist trimmer properly while exercising and do not wear it for extended periods.
So, as you can see, waist trimmers when worn properly can have a lot of pluses both physically, as well as psychologically. And, by wearing a waist trimmer, along with a healthy diet and regular exercise, you can lose weight naturally and achieve a slimmer waist in no time at all.