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Angel Blog

Waist Trainers: Everything You Need to Know

We view this controversial topic from both sides.

By Angel Competition Bikinis

Angel Competition Bikinis NPC Competition Suits for NPC Bikini NPC Wellness Division NPC Figure suits Blog about bikini prep
Learn more about ACBikinis

Angel Competition Bikinis is committed to making your feel confident not only on stage, but during your entire competition prep journey. This blog will help you determine if you should use a waist trainer during your next prep. We support you in any decision you make, as long as it adds to your confidence! 

This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding diet and training. 

This blog covers the following:

The FactsThe Pro SideThe Anti SideThe Popular AlternativeACBikinis Opinion

The Facts

  • For the purposes of this blog, the term ā€œwaist trainerā€ will refer to the cincher variety, not a sweat band.
  • A waist trainer is worn under clothing for a period of time prior to a bodybuilding competition to decrease your waist circumference and obtain a more hourglass shape.  
  • Waist and corset training have been used for hundreds of years dating back to the 1550s. 
Angel Competition Bikinis NPC Competition Suits for NPC Bikini NPC Wellness Division NPC Figure suits Blog about bikini prep

See references for images below

  • According to the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, a waist trainer will not drastically change your body shape. Even if you have the type of body that lends itself to that shape temporarily, your waist trainer is unlikely to have a lasting effect.
  • Based on a recent poll on Angel Competition Bikinis Instagram, the opinion is almost even. There were 331 votes pro waist trainers and 358 votes anti waist trainers. 
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The Pro Side

What the data says:

  • Putting on a waist trainer give you an instant slimming affect and hourglass shape. 
  • Some of the top athletes are using waist trainers to achieve a smaller waist including some of the Ms. Bikini Olympia title holders.
  • Numerous photos and documented cases show that waist trainers worn properly will decrease the circumference of your waist. 
  • Wearing a waist trainer can decrease hunger due to the compression feeling and lead to weight loss. Note that this weight loss is due to eating less and not due to the waist trainer. 
  • Wearing a waist trainer can help improve your posture and give you instant confidence.

Susan showing her progress after using a waist trainer. Click here to shop for Angel Competition Bikini shown in the right photo.

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What the community says:

Swipe to see more

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Coach Adam Bonilla

from Team Elite Physique

Waist-ed by Adam Bonilla

Click the photo below to order yours.

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Don't forget to comment at the bottom of this page your view on waist trainers for a chance to win of of Adam's waist trainers or an ACBikinis Logo Gym bag. 

The Anti Side

Note: This includes athletes that are not necessarily against using waist trainers, just those that do not use them.  We are grateful for all of the supportive athletes that empower other women regardless of differing opinions. 

What the data says:

  • Wearing a waist trainer for a long period of time can harm your organs, misplace them and cause permanent damage. 
  • It could also limit blood and oxygen flow to your vital organs which can lead to dizzy spells and difficulty breathing.
  • The waist trainer is also pressing on your chest area will increase your chance of heartburn and indigestion. Not only can it cause pain, but recurring acid reflux can cause long-term damage by eroding the walls of your esophagus.

Daraja Hill does not use a waist trainer. 

Click here to shop for her Angel Competition Bikini.

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What the community says:

Swipe to see more

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Coach Paul Revelia

from Team Pro Physique

Long term use can shift organs. 

The Science of Eating Blog shows a diagram of just how dramatically your organs can shift while wearing a corset.

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Don't forget to comment at the bottom of this page your view on waist trainers for a chance to win of of Adam's waist trainers or an ACBikinis Logo Gym bag. 

The Popular Alternative: Stomach Vacuums

What the research says:

  • Stomach vacuums were first documented in the early days of bodybuilding with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Frank Zane,
  • Stomach vacuums target the transversus abdominus and lumbar multifidus muscles. 

Arnold, Steph, Zane, and Melanie have all used Stomach Vacuums.

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  • By targeting these muscles, you can build a stronger inner abdominal wall. This could limit and relieve back pain, create a tighter midsection, add explosive power to your training, and decrease your waist circumference. 
  • To perform a stomach vacuum you breath out, removing the air from your stomach while tightening your abs and sucking them up and under your rib cage. The goal is to hold in place to strengthen your inner abdominal muscles. 
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What the community says:

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The Ab Chick 

Steph Sequeira has an amazing video on how to properly do vacuums. 

ACBikinis Opinion

First Off

Thank you to everyone that helped with this blog. We are so grateful to serve this amazing group of fitness women! The camaraderie of this sport is unlike any other. Regardless of your opinions, we all stick together and lift one another up. THANK YOU!

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Our Opinion:

We think you should do whatever makes you happy and confident while monitoring your health. If wearing a waist trainer prior to your competition helps you stand out and bring a better package to the stage, we encourage you to do this. If you prefer to not wear a waist trainer because of your concerns of your long term health or other reasons, we encourage you to not wear one. 
You do YOU!! You are confident, strong, beautiful, and enough!

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This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding diet and training.

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Our Mission: Making YOU feel CONFIDENT!!

Angel Competition Bikinis is committed to making your feel confident not only on stage, but during your entire competition prep journey. We hope this blog helped you determine if you should use a waist trainer during your next prep. We support you in any decision you make, as long as it adds to your confidence!

References

  • https://www.healthline.com/health/do-waist-trainers-work#benefits
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Kf0A7aiyPo&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR0BBPlg2QH5oKM-KMaueRIX7w5FYf3Nur_98fPXLYngq2stiiDggFXaWSM
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrkPxgG-A88
  • https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2015/11/05/waist-whittlers-dangers/75225022/
  • https://www.mariefranceasia.com/beauty/beauty-sos/the-killer-question/dangers-waist-training-shouldnt-wear-294010.html
  • https://www.bodybuilding.com/content/stomach-vacuum-exercise.html
  • https://dailyburn.com/life/fitness/stomach-vacuum-exercise-trend/

Angel Blog

Comment Below!

Do you use a waist trainer during competition prep? Comment below for a chance to win a Waist-ed Waist Trainer from Adam Bonilla or an ACBikinis Logo Gym Bag. Winners picked on 8/1/20. 

125 comments

  • CristinaJul 08, 2020

    Iā€™m on my first prep ever and I do use a waistrainer but only during my training and cardio. I do think, however, that the results are more temporary than long term unless Iā€™m not using it long enough. Iā€™ll keep using it for the rest of my prep anyway.

  • MaggieJul 07, 2020

    I have never experimented with a waist trainer before, but I believe anything in moderation can be good, on a case by case basis. There are several athletes who achieve very small waists without the use of a waist trainer, and there are also several who use a waist trainer and swear by it! Personally I have been looking into it more for prep, but I agree with ACBikinis: you do you! ā¤ļø

  • Angelica Jul 07, 2020

    I think using the waist trainer definitely helps and doesnā€™t hurt you as long as your not over doing it. I think having a smaller waist when competing will help your physic a lot too!

  • YustilkaJul 06, 2020

    Hey Angels! I am definitely for waist trainers. In my opinion, I feel they have helped me support my weak abdominal wall and my lower back pains (unrelated to body building). When I competed during the years of 2016/2017 I used a waist trainer for two shows. I am actually happy my old waist trainer is still around, especially since getting injured due to a work related accident couple years ago.

  • Tiffany CarucciJun 30, 2020

    I am a bit anti on the waist trainer. I know there are people who use it and are smart about it. Which is good. I have never used one because I never saw the point for me to need one. I think I would be very hesitant on using one for myself.

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