FAQs

Waist training is a gradual process of waist-reduction using a latex waist cincher or corset. This practice came to prominence during Victorian times. In recent times, waist training has been reinvented so that it is both safe and effective for personal use.

All of our waist training products aim to slim you down and with regular use, will help you trim a few inches off. This will be achieved most effectively when coupled with diet and exercise. Our trainers use steel boning to help hold you in place and force good posture.

We recommend starting off with wearing your trainer for three to six hours a day, gradually increasing the wear time for maximum results. Listen to your body! Wear it as much as you can, taking care not to over-exert yourself and be certain you are never compromising your breathing. Starting off small and upping your wear time gradually is what will ensure your safety, as well as allow you to reap the best, most efficient results that you will be able to maintain long-term.

Your exact results will of course depend on your body type, how often you wear the waist trainer, and your level of diet and exercise. 

Sure! All of our trainers can double as shapewear under clothing to give you a terrific, hourglass figure. Our Corsets will be the most discrete under tight clothing, however.

Yes! All of our trainers would be terrific to work out in - the latex trainers will make you work harder and perspire more, and the corsets will allow your body to breathe a bit while still working your body harder than traditional exercise. Just be sure to take breaks as often as you need them, and take the trainer off if you find it’s making exercise too rigorous or if you have any trouble breathing.

Hand wash on cold as needed. Hang or lay flat to dry.

When done properly, waist training will provide long-term results. With time and proper use, your body will transform into the desirable shape by gradually changing the movement of the diaphragm (just like having hiccups) and pushing the intestines around a bit (just like being pregnant). This was proven by taking an MRI of German burlesque star Eden Berlin. Crazy as it sounds, this is not harmful to your body and in fact exerts less internal pressure on organs than pregnancy. Over time, through proper waist training, the 11th and 12th (floating) ribs will take on the desired shape and retain it for long-term results. 

When done properly, waist training should not hurt. You will feel compression in your waist, abdomen, and midsection area. This pressure is not harmful to the body and if you do ever feel abnormal pain, you should discontinue use. Start off slowly, listen to your body, and gradually work your wear time up to make your waist reduction journey as comfortable as possible.

Avoid the Latex Waist Cincher and the Classic Waist Trainer if you have a latex allergy. Do not waist train while pregnant.

Totally! Women absolutely love our waist trainers and corsets simply for back problems, scoliosis, and spinal issues. They force the back to stay straighter and thus promote excellent posture, all without the bulk of a medical brace. If you have any concerns, please consult your physician beforehand.

Most women notice that the compression in the midsection caused by waist training will help reduce food volume intake and allow them to feel full faster. This promotes the healthier practice of smaller meals, rather than three large meals a day. Fret not, however – you will still get hungry and be able to eat just fine!

You are likely to also notice an increase in perspiration – especially when working out and especially with the Latex Waist Cincher and the Classic Waist Trainer. This will help you lose excess water weight and increase your thermal activity so you can lose more weight while doing the same tasks as before.

Everything is dangerous when push beyond the recommended limits. The origin of these stories dates back centuries ago – from women who wore extremely restrictive, too-tight corsets on a very regular basis. You may remember from Titanic (set in 1912) when Rose’s mother was ‘helping’ her into her corset by yanking on the ties as Rose visibly cringed. Luckily, such corsets are mostly a thing of the past and Hourglass Express produces only safe, high-quality trainers with thoughtful, modern design.

Firstly, it is very important to be sure you are ordering the right size. Hourglass Express’s trainers are expertly made, and each product is accompanied by a sizing chart you should follow before ordering to avoid any potential issues. We also recommend you build your wear time up gradually - starting off with wearing your trainer for three to six hours a day (taking breaks as needed), and gradually increasing the wear time up to 12+ hours for maximum results.

Secondly, our waist trainers feature hook-and-eye closures – much less likely to be debilitating in the way the old-school ribbon ties were, and additionally, the three sets of closures allow you to properly size down as you progress, ensuring a much more comfortable and custom fit.

A waist trainer can act like an external, less invasive gastric band, by putting pressure on your stomach so that it’s not able to expand as much during a meal. 

No, a smaller size won't fit right and may be painful – ouch! Shapewear comes in different levels of control: minimal control, slight control, moderate control, strong control, and maximum control. Instead of going down a size, go up a control level. This will ensure your shapewear provides the support you need and stays comfortable too.

You can use our Size Guide  for a quick glance at the recommended measurements for each size. Each product has it's own sizing and it's best to review the size chart on each product page. The most important thing to review is waist size. If you still need help,contact our LIVECHAT or send us an email at customer@hourglassgal.com.

Our shapewear will mold to your body, so we recommend selecting a shaper based on your current size. Remember that our shapewear can make you look up to 2 dress sizes smaller instantly, depending on the compression level – but it shouldn't cause discomfort. 

You can check our Size Guide  for a quick glance at recommended measurements. We recommend you go up a size if you experience numbness in the legs, shortness of break, sharp stomach pains or pinching.

Review our Measuring Instructions on our Sizing Page to learn the right way to measure your bust, waist and hips. It's easy – all you need is a cloth or vinyl body-measuring tape. 

We understand, not all bodies are the same! You can also use our size charts  to see recommended measurements for each size. If you're outside the lines, don't worry. Here are some simple tips to help you select the right shapewear:

• Never size down! Our shapewear is designed to slim and smooth, so picking a size too small will cause bulges and discomfort.

To view our Plus Size Collection, click here.

Oops, we're sorry – it might be temporarily out of stock, but don't lose hope! Click "Notify Me When Available" and we'll email you when your size is back in stock.

With our waist trainers and by following some easy pointers - absolutely. Simply select which waist trainer best suits your lifestyle, follow the accompanying size chart (measuring yourself will ensure the best fit), and start off slowly, listening to your body and gradually building your wear time up. Corset training got a bad rep when people heard that women would faint and sustain organ damage (see above). This, in reality, is generally a thing of the past where women would have friends, family, and handmaidens tie the ties of their corsets extremely tight to where regular function was restricted. This was also majorly a problem during hot climates before air conditioning, and many of these women would also work outside and kept their corsets on at almost all times. Nowadays, this is not an issue as waist trainers have been re-designed to ensure safety while still promising efficacy. Hourglass Express only sells high-quality, comfortable waist trainers where bruising and damages are extremely unlikely - especially when you get the right size(not too small) and gradually work your wear time up.

Dr. Alexander Sinclair, a Los Angeles plastic surgeon, told ABC that he recommends waist trainers to clients as a “remarkable way to train your waist to be smaller,” during a gradual buildup from three to five hours a day to eventually 12. Some of his patients have lost up to 6 inches.* Sinclair says compressing the bottom ribs both up and in makes the space between your ribs and hips look smaller, with a possible side effect of making you eat less.

Ordering on Hourglass Gal is quick and easy.

1. To add an item to your Shopping cart, simply click on "Add to Cart” from the product page.
2. To view the items in your Shopping cart click on the Shopping Bag icon in the upper right corner of the page.
3. To remove an item from your Shopping cart, click the wastebasket icon located to the right of the product in your bag. Your Shopping cart will automatically recalculate your total.
4. To change the quantity of an item in your Shopping cart, click "edit" located underneath the quantity.
5. Click on “Proceed to Checkout” to complete your purchase.

Contact us here or send us an email at customer@hourglassgal.com.

This is a confirmation of your order – think of it like a receipt. It confirms that your order was successfully submitted. The email includes the details of your purchase, including your order number, the products you purchased, order tracking numbers, etc. Hold onto this email for your records.

We respect your privacy and send all packages discreetly in plain packaging. There are no stickers or promotional slogans on the packaging other than those of the post carrier or delivery company.

If you wish to cancel your order, please contact customer service at LIVECHAT  M-F from 9AM to 5:00PM EST. If customer service is not available send an email requesting an order cancellation to customer@hourglassgal.com  Your order will be considered canceled once you receive confirmation from us by email. If your order has already been shipped and you would like to cancel your order, the shipping fees will be deducted from the refund credit amount.

We will ship the portion of your order that is in stock and issue a shipping confirmation and tracking number. We will inform you of the item(s) on backorder and there will be no additional shipping fee for your backordered item, when it becomes available

To make changes to backordered items, please contact LIVECHAT  M-F from 9AM to 5:00PM EST and we will do our best to assist you. Please keep in mind that making changes to or canceling a backorder may adjust any qualifying special offers or promotional offers that you may have received in the original purchase.

Please see our RETURN & EXCHANGE page for details.

You may pay with a debit or credit card as well as with your Paypal account. Your card will be charged within 3-5 business days of shipping your product. 

We accept the following as a form of payment:

• Visa
• Mastercard
• Discover
• American Express
• Paypal

For security, we do not store your credit card information on file. If you make an exchange for a more expensive item, we will contact you to retrieve payment (the difference).

Orders are processed within 1 - 2 business days (Monday through Friday, excluding holidays).

Orders placed on holidays, Saturdays or Sundays will be processed the following business day.

If your order is in stock, it usually takes between 3 and 7 business days depending on your proximity to NewYork.

For UPS Ground shipping, please allow 2 to 5 business days to receive your order. 

If your tracking information says the package was "delivered," first double-check the area where the carrier would have left it. Ask neighbors too in case the package was dropped at the wrong door. Also, look for any "attempted delivery" notices, which means the carrier tried to deliver it, but no one was home. If you still don't see anything, wait until the end of the next day, because some carriers' electronic systems may show the package as delivered, even when it's still on the way. Still no luck? Call the carrier with your tracking number for more information.

If the carrier is unable to provide a resolution please contact our Customer Care Center M-F from 9AM to 5:00PM CST at LIVECHAT or send an email to customer@hourglassgal.com.