Wouldn’t it be nice to have a flat tummy? I haven’t had one since I was a teen. I decided to investigate the best waist trimmers for women to see if they could help.
Do waist trimmers work? I won’t lie to you – corsets, girdles, and sweat belts aren’t the most effective waist trimmers. Waist training can’t slim the stomach as well as diet and exercise. And there are waist trimmer belt side effects that are downright undesirable. Waist trimmers can’t melt belly fat no matter how much you sweat. So why even try a waist trimmer for weight loss?
Well, a trimmer belt might actually help you shrink your waistline a little bit. The effects are temporary but sometimes noticeable.
What the waist trimmer does is increase body temperature and sweating which causes water loss. More perspiration means less water weight and less swelling which could make you look a little slimmer and lose a few ounces of weight (1).
While you’re wearing the waist trimmer, you’ll probably eat less because your abdomen is compressed. Also, sweatband body wrap manufacturers say that the product improves posture and supports the back during exercise. Unfortunately, wearing a waist trimmer for long hours may end up weakening your back and core muscles. It may also make it harder to breathe and get enough oxygen while you’re working out.
So, is there any benefit to wearing a waist trimmer? If you compare it to reducing calorie intake and exercising, it’s not beneficial at all. However, there are many women who want to try it anyway and I’m not here to criticize. I want to help, which is why I’ve reviewed the best waist trimmers for women below.
Before you see the waist trainer reviews, here are proven tips for slimming the midsection.
How to trim the waist
If you can be patient, it’s not hard to get a smaller waist. It just takes time and dedication.
Science shows that 1 pound of fat is equivalent to 3500 calories. To lose 1 pound, a person could burn 350 extra calories for 10 days and/or reduce caloric intake by cutting out sugary drinks, etc.
Drinking extra water may help reduce hunger pangs, but it’s still essential to eat healthily. Polyunsaturated fats from fish, tofu, and walnuts don’t turn into pounds like trans fats from hydrogenated oils do (2).
Eating smaller, more frequent meals – like 6 a day – keep the metabolism going and prevent overindulging. At the same time, soluble fiber from fresh fruits, vegetables, and oats helps burn belly fat by reducing insulin levels.
What’s interesting is that low-impact cardio like walking that keeps the heart rate at medium to low levels is more than enough to lose weight. There’s no need for high-intensity Zumba although that’s a quick way to burn calories.
When it comes to slimming the waist, exercise gurus recommend toning the abdomen. However, if you want a small waist, it’s crucial to focus on the right muscles. Pilates works the transverse abdominals more than the obliques. Sit-ups, doing the plank, and twist crunches are also helpful for toning midsection muscles. Even something as simple as sucking in the stomach can help tone abs.
It doesn’t have to be a big hassle or a major project to start trimming your waist. Make small changes that you can stick with it every day. And if you want to try a waist trimmer, here are the topics:
| The best waist trimmers for women | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Sweet Sweat Waist Trimmer |
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| Perfotek Waist Trimmer |
|
| ANGOOL Neoprene Waist Trainer |
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| MERMAID'S MYSTERY Waist Trimmer |
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| Sweat Shaper Waist Trimmer |
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| Reshe 4-in-1 High Waist Arm and Thigh Waist Trainer |
|
Best Waist Trimmers for Women in 2024
Sweet Sweat Waist Trimmer by Sports Research
According to my favorite beauty sites, the best waist trimmer belt is Sweet Sweat. It comes in regular and Pro versions. I checked out the basic waist trimmer because it was cheaper. It’s available in sizes from small to XXL. The small fits a 33-inch waist while the XXL fits up to 58 inches. Just measure the widest part of your belly (not your waistline) to get the right fit.
The sweat band is black neoprene with a Velcro closure. It comes with either pink or yellow highlights. Feel free to wear it over clothing or on bare skin (it’s latex-free).
How does it work? Wrap the thick and stretchy neoprene band around your waist until it feels snug but not too tight. The large Velcro patch ensures that it won’t come undone easily during intense workouts.
Next, go to work doing your favorite cardio exercise or CrossFit circuit. It’s not a bad idea to stick near a fan or the air conditioner because the band will make you feel hotter. (Yes, you can even purchase a sweat-enhancing gel to use with the waist trimmer). No wonder they call it a sauna belt!
When you’re done, let the waist trimmer air out and dry completely before storing it. Happily, it’s machine-washable but can’t be tumble-dried.
Pros:
- Popular and affordable, available in 2 different colors
- Sizes from small to XXL (up to 58 inches)
- Machine-washable
- Latex-free
Cons:
- Can’t be dried in the dryer
Perfotek Waist Trimmer
Similar to Sweet Sweat, this waist trimmer is a neoprene band with a Velcro closure. It’s described as one-size-fits-all and that’s what concerned me. I had to dig through customer questions to find out how big or small it is. One person described it as 54 inches long including the Velcro strip.
Besides my concerns about its size, I was also disappointed with the care instructions. This band isn’t machine-washable. Instead, it can only be wiped with a damp cloth and mild soap, then air-dried. I’m not sure that this is good enough to keep it from stinking.
At least the brand is straightforward about one thing. The description clearly states that the trimmer should be worn only during exercise for no more than 3 hours at a time.
Pros:
- Neoprene waist wrap in black or with pink highlights
- Velcro closure
Cons:
- Only one size option
- Can only be wiped clean
- Can’t be tumble-dried
ANGOOL Neoprene Waist Trainer Corset
I wonder what Victorian women would’ve thought about this neoprene/nylon corset. It’s taller than the typical waist trimmer and serves as shapewear, not just exercise gear.
It comes in sizes from small to 3XL but the largest size only accommodates a 35-inch waist. But if you want to instantly look like Barbie, it will get you close. And at least it comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
It features a sturdy YKK zipper, a hook and loop closure, and a double belt over top. The combination provides firm compression, especially since the corset has steel boning between the layers of fabric.
FYI: it’s crucial to double-check your measurements against the brand’s size chart before ordering. Also, it’s hand-wash only.
Pros:
- Steel-boned corset with firm compression
- Triple closure with adjustable double belt
- Comes with a satisfaction guarantee
Cons:
- Hand-wash only
- No plus sizes
MERMAID’S MYSTERY Waist Trimmer
This band promises an instant hourglass figure because it has a cinching belt across the middle. The tightest compression follows the natural waistline. Still, it’s 25 cm (just under 10 inches) wide to cover the belly completely.
Similar to the other waist trimmers, the 4mm-thick neoprene makes you sweat more by boosting thermogenic activity. But it also has acrylic boning in the back so it serves as lumbar support. It’s a back brace that can be worn to improve posture.
It comes in sizes from small to large, fitting waistlines from 25 to 53 inches. The fabric is latex-free and must be hand-washed.
Pros:
- Thermogenic waist trimmer with acrylic boning for lumbar support and proper posture
- Covers the belly and creates an hourglass shape with additional compression along the waistline
- Available in 3 sizes
- Latex-free
Cons:
- Hand-wash only
Sweat Shaper Waist Trimmer
Here’s a neoprene-free sweat belt for women. Instead of Velcro or a zipper, all you have to do is pull it on. The easiest way is to step into it and pull it up like pantyhose. It fits up to a 49-inch waist and it’s a bit of a struggle to get it on if you’re near that size.
The fabric is 92% polyester and 8% spandex for stretch. However, the inner liner is 100% polyurethane. It’s rather like a thick plastic bag and guaranteed to make you sweat. The official description is that it’s a “heat-trapping polymer fabric”.
I also found it to work like shapewear or Spanx as it provides instant compression to tuck in the tummy. It’s less bulky than sweat bands that wrap around the torso or that need to be adjusted with Velcro. It pretty much disappears underneath clothing. The only problem is that it might roll up or fold down depending on the wearer’s body shape.
On the bright side, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee (depending on where you buy it). It’s also machine-washable.
Pros:
- Neoprene-free shapewear with thermogenic benefits
- Pulls on with no need to adjust closures or straps
- Nearly invisible underneath clothing
- Comes with a money-back guarantee
- Machine-washable
Cons:
- It’s a bit of a struggle to pull it on but it’s not as bulky as most waist trainers
Reshe 4-in-1 High Waist Arm and Thigh Waist Trainer
Why stop with a waist trimmer? If it’s beneficial to sweat and burn calories, why not target other areas? Check out this waist, thigh, and arm trimmer that comes in sizes up to 8XL. It’s available in a variety of colors, too.
When I saw the size chart, I was impressed. This is the only waist trimmer I found that accommodated up to a 65-inch waist. Nevertheless, it’s essential to check the other measurements to make sure it suits the rest of the body. For example, it’s important to measure the thighs and arms to make sure those parts fit as well. At least the arm bands are separate from the rest and don’t have to be worn at the same time, unlike the waist and thigh sections.
At first I was skeptical, but depending on how each band is adjusted, it’s possible to use the trimmer during a variety of activities including cycling and yoga. It’s described as having low-profile edging so as not to be noticeable under clothing, but it’s definitely visible under yoga pants.
Lastly, wearing neoprene over such a large part of the body means lots of sweat, but this product is hand-wash only.
Pros:
- Extra coverage for extra sweat
- Waist trainer with thigh and arm support
- Available in sizes up to 8XL
Cons:
- Hand-wash only
- Be sure to measure the arms and thighs, not just the waist, to get a proper fit
Conclusion
Do you know what the best waist trimmers for women all have in common? They will make you sweat while you’re working off the calories. Be sure to maintain a healthy diet, drink plenty of water, and get exercise so that you can reach your goals.
If you’ve found that a waist trimmer is helpful, we’d love to hear from you. Please leave us a comment below.
Sources:
1. https://www.healthline.com/health/do-waist-trainers-work#benefits Waist Trainers: Do They Work and What You Need to Know Before You Try One, published July 1, 2019
2. https://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Smaller-Waist How to Get a Smaller Waist, co-authored by Laila Ajani, last updated June 10, 2022