A waist trainer is a stretchy band, usually latex, with boning and rows of hooks. It compresses your waist and moves with you. A corset is a rigid garment with stiff boning that usually laces up the back, and it shapes by structure more than stretch. Cincher is a looser word that shops use for almost any garment that pulls in the waist, including waist trainers. If you want something to wear to the gym or all day under clothes, you want a waist trainer.
Below is a side-by-side table, then a closer look at each one, and where our own trainers fit. To compare our trainers with each other, see compare our waist trainers.
The quick difference
| Waist trainer | Corset | Cincher | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main material | Stretch latex or powernet, often with a fabric lining | Woven fabric or leather, little to no stretch | Varies: latex, powernet, elastic or fabric |
| Closure | Rows of hook-and-eye, sometimes a zip | Laces at the back, often a front busk | Hooks, zip or velcro |
| Boning | Boning, often steel, inside a stretch panel | Stiff boning in a panel that doesn't stretch | Light boning or none |
| Flexibility | Moves with you | Holds a fixed shape | Usually flexible |
| Adjusting | Move to a tighter row of hooks | Tighten or loosen the laces | Depends on the closure |
| Typical use | Workouts, everyday wear under clothes | Occasion wear, fashion, costume | Everyday smoothing |
Waist trainers
A waist trainer is built for wearing on a normal day. The latex or powernet panel stretches enough to move, the boning keeps it from bunching, and three rows of hooks let you start loose and tighten as it breaks in. It sits under a tee or a fitted dress, and the flexible ones work for cardio.
Our latex trainers, like the Active Sculpt and Daily Sculpt, have steel boning and three rows of hooks, and they come in three torso lengths so the trainer fits the space between your ribs and hips.
Corsets
A traditional corset is a structured garment. It's made from fabric that doesn't stretch, with stiff boning all the way around, and it usually laces up the back so you can adjust it. Because the shape comes from the structure, a corset holds a dramatic silhouette, and it often looks like a piece of clothing in its own right. It's also less forgiving: it doesn't bend much when you sit, bend or move.
Corsets are popular as outerwear and for events. Most people don't choose one for the gym or a full workday.
Cinchers
"Waist cincher" has no fixed meaning. Some shops use it for a short, light band that smooths the waist. Others use it for exactly what we'd call a waist trainer. Our customers use it too:
“So glad I purchased this waist cincher. At first it was difficult to get on but it does stretch a little, so don't give up. Great back support. So glad I got one”
When you're shopping, look past the name. Check the material, the closure, the boning and the length to know what you're actually getting.
Which one for workouts
A flexible waist trainer. A rigid corset fights you every time you bend, and a light cincher may not stay in place. Even with a trainer, keep it to workouts where you can breathe fully, and skip it for heavy lifts. Our post on wearing a waist trainer to work out explains when to wear it and when to take it off.
Active Sculpt Waist TrainerFlexible latex that bends through squats and cardio. Our pick for workouts and a first trainer.From $79Shop Which one for everyday
A waist trainer again, for most people. It's smooth under clothes and comfortable enough to build up to longer wear. A firm latex trainer gives the most hold. If you'd like a corset look without laces, a corset-style trainer sits in between.
Daily Sculpt Waist TrainerOur firmest everyday latex, smooth under a bodycon dress or scrubs.From $79Shop Where our trainers fit
- Active Sculpt and Active Sculpt Designs: flexible latex waist trainers for workouts. See workout waist trainers.
- Daily Sculpt: firm latex waist trainer for long days. See everyday waist trainers.
- Neoprene: a latex outer with a neoprene lining for heat during cardio. See neoprene waist trainers.
- Triple Compression: three layers, a front zip and hooks, for the most hold we make. See triple compression.
- Luxx Hourglass: our corset-style trainer. Latex-free powernet with an outer zip, hook-and-eye closure and an inner compression band.
- Invisible Zip & Clip: a low-profile, latex-free trainer for under clothes. See latex-free waist trainers, or read latex vs latex-free.
Luxx Hourglass Waist TrainerThe corset look without laces or latex. Powernet, an outer zip and hook-and-eye closure, made to wear under an outfit or over it.From $99Shop Want to know what any waist trainer can and can't do for you? Read do waist trainers work. Ready to pick a size? Start with what size waist trainer to get.
Is a waist cincher the same as a waist trainer?
Sometimes. "Cincher" is a loose term. Some shops use it for a light smoothing band, others for a full latex waist trainer. Check the material, closure and boning rather than the name.
Can I work out in a corset?
We wouldn't. A rigid corset doesn't bend with you. If you want compression for cardio, a flexible waist trainer is the better choice, and only for workouts where you can breathe fully.
Is the Luxx Hourglass a corset?
It's a corset-style waist trainer. It has the corset silhouette, but it's latex-free powernet with a zip and hook-and-eye closure instead of laces.
Which gives the most hold?
In our range, the Triple Compression trainer. It's three layers with a front zip and hooks, and it's best once you've worn a trainer before.
