Care During Use
Whether you wear your corset daily or just take it out occasionally, keep in mind a few tips to make it last:
Store your corset over a hanger in your closet, away from light (after it has aired out—see below). Always make sure it is dry before you hang it. If you’re storing it for more than a day or two, you can put a plastic bag to protect it from dust and moisture.
If you are serious about waist-training then it is very important to look after your corset; over time they take a lot of punishment from regular cinching but if you take some simple precautions you can extend the life of the garment.
Cleaning Your Corset
Just like most lingerie and undergarments, corsets need special attention when being cleaned. Never put your corset in the washing machine! Here’s what to do instead:
Hand wash your corset in cold water. Do not put your corset in the washing machine or dryer! Lay corset flat to dry.
Air Dry your corset at the end of the day corsets must be dried out by turning the lining to the upper side and hanging over the back of a chair. Never hang on or near a heat source as over time this will cause shrinkage and eventual damage to the stitching
Alternate corsets, rather than buy one corset, purchase 2, strong corsets and alternate them so that each corset gets to ‘rest’ between each wearing
Follow these simple tips for maintenance, break the corset in gradually and you will have a corset that lasts a long-time; a little bit of care goes a long way where corsets are concerned.
How to Know Your Corset’s Life Has Ended
If you wear a corset regularly, it will eventually reach the end of its useful life. It should be fairly evident when it’s time:
It doesn’t fit right: over time, the corset may adjust—and so might your own body! If the corset just isn’t providing the compression it used to or seems to warp in places it shouldn’t, it’s time for a replacement.
It’s worn out or broken: you’ll know it’s time for a new corset when any of its components break, come loose or warp. This includes the steel boning, the busks in front, the grommets in back, or parts of the bodice that start to fray. If the laces break, they can be replaced; otherwise you’ll have to replace the whole garment.
When you order a new corset, be sure you take new waist measurements and follow our sizing charts precisely, in case your waistline has changed. And of course, be sure to season your new corset properly before lacing it tight.
The secret to work out while waist training and see results
Get the right style and fit.
We can’t emphasize enough how important it is to have a waist trainer that is fitted to your measurements and is the right design for your personal needs and body type.
First, let’s talk about fit. You need to take your waist measurements before you order your waist trainer. Using vinyl or fabric measuring tape, measure the narrowest part of your waist, typically a couple of inches above your belly button. Make sure the tape is level and lies flat against your skin, but it shouldn’t be stretched tight. Once you have your measurement, be sure to follow the sizing chart for that waist trainer exactly (You’ll find size charts on all of our product pages). When in doubt, always go a size up. Remember that you can tighten your cincher for a precision fit.
Next, you’ll want to be sure you’re getting the right style. Take note that if you have a particularly long or short torso, or if you’re plus size, you may want to choose from the styles designed for your particular body type.
If you desire more support for your bust and/or coverage for your back, you might prefer a vest style workout trainer. Finally, you’ll want to determine whether you want three rows of fastening hooks or one. Generally, three rows are ideal if you plan on slimming down significantly with your workout plan so that you’ll have more room to tighten the garment.
We should also note that in order to get the best results, comfort and appearance, you should invest in a high-quality waist trainer. We have a carefully curated collection on our website to ensure a positive experience for everyone who tries it out.
Plan to sweat.
One of the reasons waist training while exercising is effective is because it stimulates more sweat around your core. For this reason, you might prefer to wear a light tank top beneath the waist trainer to prevent skin irritation. We also recommend wearing our fat burning gel to keep your skin hydrated and firm.
You’ll also want to be sure that you’re taking proper care of your waist trainer after you sweat in it—meaning you’ll need to hang it to dry, spot clean and gently wash periodically. If you plan on waist training beyond your workouts, keep two waist trainers rotating through your wardrobe to ensure that they stay fresh and dry, as well as retain their elasticity.
Choose your workout.
We are asked frequently what kinds of workouts are best with a waist trainer. And the answer is: lots! Here are some ideas to get your started.
Strength training: wearing a waist trainer while lifting weights will help you sweat harder for higher intensity. It will also help you keep your core tight and your back straight, which is ideal no matter what type of lifting you’re doing.
Running and cardio: We love cardio + waist trainers so much, it would almost feel weird not to wear on when on a machine or out for a jog. It’s a no-brainer way to add to the intensity of your workout.
Pilates, planks and more: there are a ton of calisthenic exercises that can be enhanced with a waist trainer.
Note that there are a few types of workouts that aren’t ideal to do with waist training. Hopefully you don’t plan on taking your waist trainer in the pool. We also don’t recommend wearing it while doing crunches—although, as you can see above, there are plenty of non-crunch abdominal strengthening exercises that you can use alternatively that are very effective. Lastly, be careful when doing any high-intensity workouts or sports with a waist trainer. Since you’ll be sweating harder, you’ll want to take note if you start to overheat or get dehydrated. If you ever start feeling faint or other physical discomfort while wearing a waist trainer, remove it immediately, walk to slow down your heart rate, and drink water or hydrating fluids. Listen to your body and be smart, as you should any time you exercise.
