Angel Blog
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 Facts
- For the purposes of this blog, the term “waist trainer” 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.
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.
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.
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.
Coach Paul Revelia
from Team Pro Physique
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.
- 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.
The Ab Chick
Steph Sequeira has an amazing video on how to properly do vacuums.
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!
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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Any of our designs can be made for any division: Bikini, Wellness, Figure & Women's Physique with no up charge based on your division. We have the PERFECT pattern for your next suit, and the most skilled competition suit seamstresses in the world creating it! Scroll to look at examples of some of our favorite suits. Every suit we make starts from scratch which means we can do any combination of colors, styles, and sizes. Let us create your dream Competition Suit!
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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 7/31/20.
I have a science background so science-based evidence is key for me. I haven’t made up my mind yet about waist trainer cause evidence is still conflicting, but I am really eager to give it a try as that would play a huge role in my final opinion!
I find it really hard to buy into something that seems so “gimmicky”. Anything that promises something for nothing makes me a little Leary. Nonetheless, they are effective and if you want to compete in bikini and don’t have a naturally teeny tiny waist, you’re going to need to do something. Whether it’s vacuums or a waist trainer, or a combination of both – get on board!
As with most things in life, I think in moderation waist trainers are helpful for prep and competing. Competing, especially at a high level, is not only a game of inches, but a game of half and even quarter inches. If something has the capability to improve you by even 1%, that might be the difference from winning 1st or 2nd. So I am pro waist trainers!
I’ve never used a waist trainer, been very interested but I have digestive problems already so I’m weary!
I use a waist trainer and it works well with it, but I plan to start using the vacuum technique since I have seen that it has worked for several athletes