With the meteoric rise of social media, celebrity weight-loss culture as well as pressure from society to attain the perfect figure, many women have adopted various products to smoothen body shape and correct imperfections visible on their exterior. Designed to be worn underneath regular clothing, these products popularly known as body shapers or shapewear aims to tuck in the area between the chest and waist; compressing excess fat to create a slimmer figure. With these products now being made accessible to the male audience, many questions regarding its long term effectiveness have yet to be answered. Here are some points to consider before choosing a body shaping product for slimming or weight loss.
Mind The Pressure
Exercising with a body shaper can pose some serious risks, especially when it comes to breathing. Not only does it hug the body tightly, leaving little room for drastic movements or motions, but it also hinders one’s ability to completely utilise their respiratory system; increasing the risk of dizziness or fainting during high-intensity workouts. When taking part in activities such as boxing, running or weight training, the body requires a higher amount of oxygen over shorter periods. However, with the body shaper pushing firmly against abdominal muscles, airflow is restricted, posing the threat of long term damage to internal organs or outer skin following repeated use.
Comfort First
When preparing to exercise, comfort should be a major priority to consider when trying to attain the best results and performance overall. Whether in hot or cold conditions, the colour, thickness, material and fit of clothing worn can dictate how effective or expressive a workout is. Although the body shaper fits snug to the body, it can be used safely during activities with minimal movement. Nevertheless, due to it being so close to the skin and pores, it can hinder the sweat glands; which when open help regulate body temperature and remove toxins.
Increased Motivation
When trying to lose weight, various elements can affect one’s consistency, progress, and final results. From the food consumed daily to the mindset and even personal self-image and workout schedule play a big role in achieving the desired results. Despite the body shaper not delivering all its manufacturers promise within a short space of time, its benefits on the mental aspects of the weight loss process cannot be understated. With over half of both the male and female population being classed as overweight in 2017, many find it hard to have a positive image of themselves which often leads to obesity or depression. Wearing the body shaper regularly not only helps men and women to see themselves in a more desired state daily but also acts as a source of encouragement to push towards long term physical and health targets.
Find your Fit
With the wide array of designs and styles available, choosing the right body shaper for one’s body can be an overwhelming task. With factors such as type, material, size and even colour to consider, not all body shapers are suitable for exercise. Firstly, it is important to select one which is comfortable to wear and not a small size. This prevents discomfort during activities such as high-intensity cardio or Zumba. It is also key to stay away from products made from rubber or leather; going for those consisting of high-quality latex or other flexible materials instead. Above all, choosing the right design to suit body shape or part is crucial to addressing problem areas. This can range from waist trainers; which target the main core area to thigh shapers and other designs aimed to fit other body parts.
Conclusion
Although every body shaper comes with its risks; especially when used in high-intensity exercises, the long term benefits to both men and women are clear to see. With many in search of ways to improve general self-image and looks, increase motivation to achieve physical goals and raise confidence levels, very few products can do such simultaneously. Although finding the right fit, size and colour to suit one’s personal needs will help kickstart the process of losing weight, consistency and personal desire to see permanent results play bigger roles longterm.
