Kim Kardashian Is Selling Waist Trainers – But Are They Safe?

Kim Kardashian's shapewear line had a controversial start. Originally it was going to be called Kimono, but after an outcry from people all over the world, especially in Japan, she switched the title to Skims. Now, clearly not trying to play it safe, Kim has released a waist-trainer.

All of the KUWTK family have been open about their love of waist trainers, wearing them to work-out, around the house and as part of their routine. But what do these things actually do? Do they work? And most importantly: are they safe?

Is a waist trainer shapewear?

Not really. It's not like a traditional corset, which uses steel (or if you're a Victorian, bone), to pull you in at the waist. Kim's waist trainers are made of neoprene, which is a tough fabric but not anywhere near as aggressive as a full corset.

When do you wear one?

Some people wear them while they work out in an attempt to get a smaller waist. Which is entirely your call, but is extremely unlikely to work. It's not possible to lose weight from a specific part of your body (called spot reducing). The only way to get a smaller waist is to lose weight from your entire body.

Do they work?

Hard to say.

Generally speaking, unless you wear a super-aggressive one 24/7, it's not going to make a difference to the shape of your body, and doing that would be dangerous, uncomfortable and kind of unhygienic.

Dr Galyna Selezneva, an medical doctor at the Dr Rita Rakus clinic in London, told the Huffington Post: 'Formal corset training takes year of dedication and is not a quick fix to achieve a small waist. People such as Dita Von Teese have spent years training their body and waist through proper use of corsets.'

A waist trainer might temporarily give the impression of a smaller waist when you take it off.

You can also wear one underneath your clothes, which might enhance your waist. But you're adding bulk by putting one on, so if you want a smooth line, you might be better off with more traditional types of shapewear.

Are they safe?

Ish. Dr Mary Jane Minkin, from the Yale school of medicine says: 'Once you take the garment off, your body will return to its usual shape. It's also uncomfortable, restricts your movements, and if you wear it really tight, it can even make it difficult to breathe and theoretically could cause rib damage.'

How long do you wear it for?

Most of the waist-training companies online suggest wearing it for 3-4 hours a day, which sounds like a lot.

Is it bad if I want one?

Complicated feminist question, shapewear. Of course we should all feel that we can wear our clothes freely and without worrying. But we've all grown up in an image obsessed society, so sometimes putting on shapewear can make you feel happier and more confident, and you certainly shouldn't feel guilty about that. We love Heist's latest shapewear, which supports you without causing discomfort.

As a general rule, as long as you're not obsessed or addicted to your shapewear, and you're not wearing it excessively tightly or all of the time, you should feel free to enjoy it. If it starts to hurt or restrict your breathing, take it off.