Waist training is an effective way to enhance your slim-down goals by wearing a high compression waist-cinching garment every day. It works best when paired with a sensible diet and exercise program that emphasizes nutritious foods and a variety of exercise, including fat-blasting cardio and strength training.

Like any daily habit, waist training can be difficult to keep up if you don’t have a good plan. Sometimes, those who are new to the practice have difficulty getting into a consistent pattern due to comfort. If you’re not accustomed to the way a waist trainer feels, you may be tempted to give up too quickly before you create a sustainable habit.

Since waist trainers are high compression garments, they can feel rigid and stiff, which can be difficult to wear for long periods without practice. To help beginners avoid giving up a successful waist training regimen, we’ve compiled four simple ways that you can make waist training more comfortable.

1. Start Gradually

One common mistake we see with waist training beginners is that they jump all in too fast.

They buy a new waist trainer and then try to wear it all day, every day for a week straight out of the packaging.

There are a couple of reasons to avoid this. First, a new waist trainer is a little like a new pair of shoes; it takes some time for it to break in and really mold to the natural shape of your figure. Second, your body also needs some time to adjust, just as you would if you had never worn heels before. Be patient so that your body and your garment can become more accustomed to each other.

We recommend wearing a waist trainer for no more than an hour or two when you first start. During this time, you can adjust to the way it feels and also determine that the garment is the correct fit.

You can gradually add a little bit of time to your waist training regimen each day. There’s no hard and fast rule about how much time you should add, but half an hour to an hour each day should be sufficient. Keep track of the time and do what feels right.

Are you using a steel-boned corset? Breaking in this kind of garment requires special attention, as corsets need to be “seasoned” for about two weeks before being fully tightened. Wear it fastened but not fully tightened for a couple of hours a day for about two weeks before pulling the laces tight, to ensure that it molds itself to your unique figure and isn’t warped or damaged. After that, you can wear it for longer stretches.

If your goal is to wear your waist trainer for several hours a day but you’re still not fully accustomed to it yet, try breaking up your waist training time into two sessions per day when needed. For example, you can wear your garment for two hours in the morning, take a lunch break, and then wear it for two hours in the afternoon for a total of four hours. Alternatively, you can wear your waist trainer on a looser setting for part of the day if you’re not comfortable with full compression the whole time.

Note that if you want to wear your waist trainer at a particular event like a wedding, you should give yourself enough time in the preceding days and weeks to work up to a full day of comfortable wear.

If you make a commitment to wear a waist trainer every day, gradually adding more time, you will probably feel comfortable wearing it for 8 to 12 hours a day after a few weeks. After that, it may start to feel like second skin, and you may even be able to tighten it more!

2. Alternate Pieces

Another way to make waist training more comfortable is to use more than one garment in your routine.

This also ensures that your waist trainers stay clean, fresh and effective every day of the week. If you find that the perspiration from waist training makes you uncomfortable after long periods, this strategy is especially important.

Different waist trainers can have different levels of compression and also various cuts and styles. For example, a workout band is constructed with firmer material than an everyday waist trainer and are generally cut shorter. With many workout bands, it’s best to wear them for a maximum of a few hours at a time. The rest of the day should be in a waist trainer that is designed for all-day wear.

If you find that latex waist trainers can be uncomfortable when the climate is especially warm, you’ll benefit by switching to different materials. A mesh corset is an effective way to keep cool while keeping up your waist training practice, even when temperatures are spiking. Sometimes a change of pace can help you feel more comfortable as well.

You might also find it beneficial to switch between a short cut waist trainer and a full length one if you want a bit more breathing room from time to time. Shorter waist trainers like this waspie corset create a more exaggerated curve at the waist and leave more breathing room on your torso. Vest-style waist trainers like this piece provide more coverage.

Ultimately, which style of waist trainer is more comfortable can depend on your body type and personal preferences. Whatever the case, variety can help you feel more comfortable day to day.

3. Waist Train at Night

Some people find that an effective and convenient way to wear a waist trainer for multiple hours at a time is to do it at night.

This strategy isn’t necessarily the right one for everyone, but there are many who swear by it. If you are comfortable sleeping through the night with it on, then you have the freedom to wear alternative undergarments or shapewear during the day.

You’ll want to keep a few factors in consideration if you decide to try this method. Are you a back, side or tummy sleeper? Do you have a hard or soft mattress? These factors can affect how well you’re able to sleep in a waist trainer. Note that your torso will be straight most of the night, so you may need additional pillows or rolled up towels to help distribute your body weight more evenly. It can take some trial and error to get this right, so try different strategies for a few nights.

Even wearing a waist trainer from time to time at night can be a way to shake things up and give yourself a break, while still keeping up your daily waist training regimen.

Read more about nighttime waist training here: Tips for Sleeping in Your Corset.

4. Listen to Your Body

When it comes down to it, the best way to be comfortable while waist training is to be more mindful about how your body is feeling throughout the day.

For starters, you should pay close attention if you ever feel any sharp pain or any restriction in breathing. This is an indicator that your waist trainer either doesn’t fit, or it has somehow been warped or broken. In any case, remove it immediately.

Also pay attention to what kind of discomfort you’re feeling when waist training. Are you feeling too restricted or stiff? Try to follow the strategies we outlined above in order to maximize your comfort. If you’re feeling itchy or too sweaty, try wearing a light cotton garment underneath your waist trainer, or switch to a different material. You’ll also want to make sure that you’re drinking lots of water, keeping your skin hydrated and cleaning your waist trainer properly.

Some people find that they are more likely to experience heartburn or reflux when wearing a waist trainer. This is not surprising, since your midsection and digestive tract are more restricted (much as they would be if you were pregnant). Be mindful to eat small, sensible meals when wearing a waist trainer to prevent this. Eat slowly and stop when you feel full—these practices are healthier for you anyway and can help you achieve a slimmer waistline.

It’s also worth noting that it’s vital for you to maintain a regular exercise routine when you’re waist training regularly. While a waist trainer can be supportive for your back and core while you’re wearing it, you’ll want to keep up that strength when your waist trainer is off.

Do a combination of cardio, strength training and flexibility exercises so that you have a strong core and back.

Try these workout ideas: Let’s Get Moving with These Waist Training Exercises

Keep It Up!

The key to a consistent waist training routine is to keep trying different strategies until you find out what works for you. Trust us, it’s worth the effort!

Share what works for you with us at @hourglassangel and also see what other waist training fans are doing. #BeTheHourglass