We think it’s safe to say that waist training is here to stay. For that last several years, more and more women have discovered how easy it is get the figure they've always wanted, while enjoying numerous other benefits—not the least of which is a huge boost in confidence.

We love providing waist training tips so that our customers can get the most out of their experience. Here’s everything you need to know.

How to Find the Perfect Waist Trainer

One thing you might notice when you start browsing is just how many options there are when it comes to waist training! There are a variety of materials, styles and colors. How do you determine which on is right for you?

There are a few factors you should consider when you’re picking out your ideal waist trainer including:

1. Waist training goals

• Are you wanting to wear your waist trainer exclusively during workouts or do you want to wear it every day as part as an ongoing routine (or do you want to do both)?
• Are you looking for a special occasion piece?
• How much weight are you planning to lose?

These questions can help you narrow down your choices. For example, to work out in your waist trainer you’ll definitely want a workout band (be sure to check out three new styles in our Hourglass Angel signature collection). There are many other styles designed for everyday use. You can use many of them for special occasions, but depending on your needs, you might enjoy the dramatic results you get from a steel-boned corset. And if you’re planning to lose a lot of weight (more than 5–10 pounds, for example), you’ll want to choose a waist trainer that has the ability to size down dramatically, such as a lace-up corset or a cincher with three rows of hooks. 

2. Body type

While everyone wants to end up in that hourglass shape, your natural shape and size can influence your best style choices. If you’re particularly tall and have a long torso, you might want to choose from these longer styles for fuller coverage. Or, if you’re short or short-waisted, these styles designed for petite women will give you the maximum results and comfort.

If you prefer to have more support for your bust and coverage for your back, be sure to try one of our vest-style waist trainers. And if you’re plus-size, there are options for you too! 

3. Style and material preferences

Once you’ve determined your waist training needs, it comes down to what you want. You can pick out a garment based on the colors and patterns, whether you want to show it off our keep it discreet.

Some women prefer the maximum results they get from a steel-boned corset, while others like the versatility of a latex waist cincher. For a couple of unique options you might like this Velcro closure waist trainer for ease of use or a no-closure option for when you need a seamless solution. And if you can’t use latex, be sure to look for our latex-free options. 

How to Get the Right Size

The correct sizing is one of the most important factors in choosing a waist trainer that is ideal for your shape and size. Once you’ve chosen the ideal garment, be sure that you take accurate measurements right before you place your order.

For waist trainers, the most important measurement is your waist.

• Using a vinyl or fabric measuring tape, hold it level around the narrowest part of your waist.
• This is a few inches above your belly button, where you’ll see a natural bend if you lean to one side.
• Lay the tape flat, but don’t pull it tight. You should be able to slip a finger underneath.

It’s very important, once you’ve taken your measurement, to follow the sizing chart for your chosen garment precisely.

Every brand fits a little bit differently, and we have adjusted accordingly on our customized sizing charts. Do not simply choose a size based on what your shirt or dress size is.

One thing worth noting if you’re ordering a steel-boned corset that uses number sizes is that the numbers don’t represent your waist measurement. Instead, they are 4–5 inches less that your waist measurement (approximately what your waist will be once you tighten the corset).

If you’re ever in doubt about your size, always go up a size up rather than a size down for the best results. Otherwise, your waist trainer will be too small. Remember that they are designed to be adjusted—you can tighten a loose waist trainer, but you can’t make a tight waist trainer bigger than its design.

When you receive your waist trainer in the mail, try it on carefully. When fastening the eyes and hooks, start from the bottom and work your way up, using the loosest setting of hooks. A useful technique we’ve found is fastening it around the narrowest part of your waist and then working down the garment. Once it’s on it should feel very snug, but it shouldn’t pinch. You should be able to fasten it without yanking or pulling with excessive force, which can cause damage. If you can’t get it on, it’s probably too small.

Steel-boned corsets lace up in the back instead of the front. Handle a new corset gently, fastening the laces towards the middle (you’ll probably need a friend or a mirror to help). The first time you try on a corset, don’t tighten the laces fully because it needs time to be seasoned, or broken in. Tie the laces when the corset is firmly in place but isn’t tight enough to create any dramatic slimming. It should still look flattering even when it’s not pulled tight. Wear it for a couple of hours a day for at least a week before pulling the laces tight.

For more tips on steel-boned corsets see Corsets 101: Basics You Need To Know.

 How to Start a Waist Training Regimen

Once you’ve found the perfect waist trainer and ensured that it fits, you’ll want to get used to it—not to mention break it in. Wear it for just an hour or so the first day and then slowly work your way up over the next several weeks. Add no more than an hour a day. You can take a break for a day if needed, or break up your wear into two short sessions over the course of a day rather than one long one.

After a month you should be fairly comfortable wearing your waist trainer for at least eight hours a day. By then you may also start noticing results in your waistline even when you’re not wearing your waist trainer! Be sure to track your progress with waist measurements and photos so you can see how far you’ve come.

We highly recommend working out during your waist training regimen for the best results—and the best way to do this is with a workout band. For this reason, we recommend at some point having at least two waist trainers: one for workouts and one for everyday use.

To get the most out of your experience we also recommend trying out waist training gel and other accessories. 

What Results to Expect

This is the question everyone asks! Here's the simplest answer: Everyone’s results will differ depending on several factors including your dedication to waist trainer, your natural shape, your goals, your lifestyle and even your genetics. So while we can’t guarantee exactly what your experience will be like, we can provide a few examples based on other women’s experiences.

We’ve heard back from many happy customers through surveys, in product reviews and even on social media. Here are just a few of the results:

Desire, Full-Time Nanny

With a demanding schedule, Desire was having a hard time finding the time to make a healthy lifestyle. She heard about waist training through her friends on social media and thought she had nothing to lose by trying it out, using the Clasica Black 3 Hook Waist Trainer by Ann Chery.

After just a few weeks, she started noticing big changes, as did her friends and family. In fact, she was more motivated to eat clean and start working out for 30 minutes every day. It just goes to show that waist training not only produces results in and of itself, but it helps you stay motivated!

Ana, Soldier Mom

As a soldier in the U.S. Army, Ana has been in shape for much of her life. But she struggled to lose the pregnancy weight after her first child. She finally started seeing results once she started wearing the Amia Sculpting Vest 8–10 hours a day. The results speak for themselves!

What will your story be? The only way to find out is to try waist training for yourself. We hope we’ve painted a picture for how you can get started with transforming your figure and your confidence. Contact our expert stylists if you need any additional guidance on getting started with your waist training journey.