I’m scrolling through my TikTok FYP and I notice that I see a video about waist trainers. Whatever, I ignore it. But a few videos later, I see another one. And about another 10 minutes after that, one more. I do a quick brain check: Did I mention waist trainers to a friend recently? Or maybe I accidentally thought about one? (I am 100% convinced TikTok’s algorithm is based on my internal dialogue.) But no, none of the above. So only the frightening truth could be it: Are waist trainers making a comeback?
I used to be a waist trainer girlie… when I was 19. Yeah, 19. The whole body issues thing is not a surprise. I used to wear a waist trainer all day in the hopes that it would mold my body into a perfect hourglass shape. All it did? Really constrict my breathing. But some people truly swear by them — and not just teenagers with severe body issues, even adults (with severe body issues). No, seriously, I saw adult women on TikTok talk about how they wear waist trainers to sleep. I have no words.
And while I know waist trainers are awful for you, I get why people use them. It’s the same reason I tried them at 19 — other people genuinely think they work. So to put the rumors to rest, I asked Mark Allen, MD, a psychiatrist who specializes in eating disorders, on what he thinks of the the return of the trend.
What are waist trainers?
First of all, what exactly are waist trainers? While similar to shapewear in concept, waist trainers are a lot more constrictive and meant to be worn over a long period of time — sometimes even overnight. The idea is that it will “train” your waist, but in reality it tightens the space available in your stomach. According to Cleveland Clinic, there are much safer options for losing weight if that’s your goal.
Is Wearing A Waist Trainer Bad For You?
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“The worst,” Dr. Allen tells Betches. “Wearing tight, constricting clothing to shape your body has been around forever, but it’s definitely unhealthy and risky.”
Dr. Allen says they push unrealistic beauty standards and can even trigger disordered eating habits, as people try to force their bodies past natural limits. From heart problems to “weakening your organs” (a direct quote from Cleveland Clinic), waist trainers can cause serious physical damage.
“Beyond the external risks, waist trainers can mess with internal organs, disrupting normal function and causing breathing and digestion problems,” Dr. Allen says. “So yeah, that’s a hard no from me.”
