Do waist trainers "move your organs"?

Waist training has become popular in recent years, along with a number of myths and rumors about its safety. In particular, there is a persistent rumor that we sometimes receive questions about: "Do waist trainers move your organs?"

So let's dispel the rumors and myths and get to the bottom of what waist training actually does to your body.

When you put on a fitness device, the first thing you notice is that it is very tight. And that is normal. High-compression materials, such as latex and steel boning, are designed to hug your figure and create an hourglass shape.

You will feel the effects of the compression across your entire abdomen. Waist training generates heat in your body and makes you sweat, which is why it can intensify your workouts.

But do your organs move? No, at least not beyond the way your body naturally moves whenever you move or, for example, engage in physical activity.

In other words, no, you will not find a kidney in place of your heart or anything else. However, your entire midsection, organs included, will be compressed. But it is not as alarming as the rumors make it out to be.

Soft tissues can move and be compressed. The body is built to be flexible in this way. Anyone who has been pregnant can assure you that their internal organs can move dramatically without causing any problems.

"A corset is not going to harm anything," says Dr. Burton Korelitz, a Manhattan gastroenterologist, in an interview with Racked.com. "You have my assurance that in nearly sixty years of practice, it has never caused any problems."

Women have been corseting for hundreds of years. As with many practices that affect your body, one of the keys to comfort and safety when corseting is common sense. And that starts with fit.

The Importance of Fit

Proper fit is an important factor in the waist training experience. Some people make the mistake of carelessly ordering a waist trainer in their usual pants size or the size they wish they were.

But if you wear a waist trainer that is too small, you will feel uncomfortable from the start, if you can even get it on. It will pinch and bother you constantly, and that is not what you want. Not at all.

Furthermore, it will not even give you the most flattering results. Instead of slimming your figure, you may find that it creates a "spilling over" effect.

If wearing a waist training device causes pinching, shortness of breath, or internal discomfort, it is time to take it off. Do not push through the pain, listen to your body, and recheck your size.

To get the right size for your waist trainer, it is important to take accurate waist measurements every time you order a new garment. Take a vinyl or fabric measuring tape and wrap it around your natural waist, about 5 cm above the navel or where you notice a curve when you lean to the side. The tape should be flat, but not so tight that you cannot fit a finger underneath.

Do not use your dress or pants size to order a garment. Our size charts are tailored to each garment, so be sure to follow them carefully. They may even vary from brand to brand.

When you try on your waist training belt, it should be firm and fit well, without pinching.

Related: 5 types of corsets & how to wear them!

Other health and safety tips for waist training

In addition to a proper fit, there are a few other best practices that will improve your waist training experience.

If you want to follow a waist training program, take it slow. The feeling of firm compression on your stomach will feel strange at first. In addition to being tight, it can also make you feel hot and sweaty. And since many of us are perpetual slouchers, being forced to hold your torso upright may also feel strange or uncomfortable after a few hours.

We recommend not wearing a waist trainer for more than one hour on the first day, then gradually adding half an hour to an hour per day. This way, you will get used to the sensation it provides.

During this process, it is important to listen to your body's signals. If you feel discomfort, remove the waist trainer immediately. Do not push yourself faster than your body wants to go. If it helps, try splitting your wear time into two shorter sessions instead of one longer one.

After a few weeks, you should feel comfortable wearing your waist training belt for at least eight hours a day to get the best results. But do not exceed our maximum recommendation of twelve hours a day. Your body needs time to relax and recover without constant compression. There are stories of women who have practiced "extreme" waist training—wearing corsets 24 hours a day to achieve an unnatural waist shape. We discourage this practice and ask you again to use common sense.

It is also essential to make sure you stay hydrated. This is not only a generally healthy lifestyle choice, but also something you need to pay attention to because waist training makes you sweat more around your stomach. You should plan to consume half an ounce to an ounce of water per pound of body weight daily, either plain or fruit-infused. Limit or eliminate diuretics such as caffeine and alcohol. By staying hydrated, you will maintain your energy, keep your organs happy, and keep your skin healthy during your training.

Finally, it is very important to train regularly and do core strengthening exercises while following a waist training program. There is a whole series of core exercises that you can do while wearing a training bandeau, as you can see in our favorite workout videos.

In summary, waist training has been practiced comfortably around the world for hundreds of years, and there is no need to fear the rumors and speculation. With the right approach, waist training should be a fun and rewarding experience that complements other aspects of a healthy lifestyle.