The 10 Best Hot Belts
This wiki has been updated 38 times since it was first published in August of 2015. Hot belts and shapers can help you get the most out of your workouts by increasing perspiration and water loss while you exercise. These accessories may help to speed up fat burning and weight reduction, and can also reduce the chance of injury and promote a proper posture. We've included a wide range of models, some of which can be worn under clothing as shapewear, too. When users buy our independently chosen editorial recommendations, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Sports Research Sweet Sweat
2. Vinmin Valentina Unisex
3. HBT Gear Fat Burner
Editor's Notes
July 07, 2020:
In choosing our hot belts, we looked for durable materials as these need to be able to flex and compress without showing wear and tear. We also searched for features that would enhance comfort, like fabrics that contour to the body and non-itchy materials. Including a good range of aesthetics was important, too, as was providing products that could suit several budgets. Finally, we looked for models that offer powerful sweat-boosting properties, as those reportedly help the wearer burn fat and calories faster.
When it comes to comfort, we like the Reformer Athletics Sweat Wrap for its non-chafing materials, and the Vinmin Valentina Unisex since it slides on easily without any fasteners that could poke or scratch the wearer. Because it can promote a pain-free experience over time thanks to its posture-improving capabilities, the Mcdavid Waist Trimmer also made the list. The Maxboost Premium had to go because its material is very stiff and many find it hard to get a comfortable fit with this model.
Since you'll likely put your belt through a lot, we like that the Hot Shapers Corset is made from a special type of neoprene called Neotex which is highly resistant to tears. The TrainingGirl Sauna Band also stood out for its long-lasting construction, as did the Mermaid's Mystery Sauna Shaper because of its quality stitching. We removed the Hot Shapers Thermal because it quickly loses its shape and has a tendency to roll up. The Bracoo Advanced also struggles to stand up to regular use as its Velcro fastener wears out quickly, so it also lost its place.
In addition to promoting perspiration, doubling as shapewear, and potentially aiding in one's weight loss goals, the Venuzor Sport Girdle snagged a spot for its many vibrant color options, since stylish workout gear can add that bit of confidence one needs to stay motivated. We removed the TNT Pro Series because it emits a bad odor, which certainly doesn't promote confidence.
Special Honors
Stability Pro Waist Trimmer Sweat Belt The discreet profile and seamless design of the Stability Pro Waist Trimmer Sweat Belt shouldn't be visible beneath clothing. It's available in six sizes and is made of a thick neoprene fabric that helps trap heat against the skin and is tear-resistant. Offering comprehensive ab coverage and a comfortable fit, it's a great value for the price. stabilitypro.com
Uptown Fab Sauna Sweat Suit Those looking to increase sweat production in several problem areas may benefit from the Uptown Fab Sauna Sweat Suit, since it covers and compresses the upper thighs, upper arms, back, and stomach. The zippered design makes it easy to get in and out of, and thanks to its back support, it may encourage better posture. It's available in pink, purple, and black, so there should be a model to fit your style. uptownfab.com
4. Mermaid's Mystery Sauna Shaper
5. Fitru Ab Wrap
6. Venuzor Sport Girdle
7. TrainingGirl Sauna Band
8. Hot Shapers Corset
9. Reformer Athletics Sweat Wrap
10. McDavid Waist Trimmer
Hot Belts: Do They Actually Work?
Just be extremely careful, and know that you're risking your health to serve your vanity.
It may sound too good to be true: just slide a hot belt over your stomach and, in no time at all, you'll look down to see sexy, rippling, six-pack abs. Do these things actually work?
The answer is, of course...it depends. They're certainly not miracle devices that will magically suck all the fat out of your body, but if used in conjunction with a healthy diet and vigorous exercise routine, they may be able to speed the weight loss process along a little bit. However, the weight you lose might not be the weight you want to lose.
Before we go any further, it's probably best to explain how these devices are supposed to work. The basic underlying theory is that, by trapping heat around your midsection, it will raise your internal temperature and force you to burn calories all day long, even while you're watching TV, sitting around at work, or buying weight loss products on the internet.
The problem with this is that, while you may see the scale go down, most of the pounds lost will be in the form of water weight, not fat. Raising your body temperature only makes you sweat; it has no effect on your metabolism (in fact, if you want to burn fat, you should probably lower your body temperature, not raise it).
Not only will you still have leftover fat to deal with, but the weight will come back as soon as you re-hydrate — and if you don't replace all the water you lose, you run the risk of dealing with the fallout from being dehydrated.
All that being said, if you need to drop a few pounds in a hurry, wearing a hot belt while exercising may be able to help you slip into that dress or make weight before a wrestling match. Just be extremely careful, and know that you're risking your health to serve your vanity.
At the end of the day, there's no cheat code that will allow you to lose weight without putting in the work. The good news is, diet and exercise really work — and you don't have to sit through any annoying informercials to try them out.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Hot Belt
As mentioned above, the first thing you should probably do is temper your expectations, especially if you're not planning on doing anything beyond wearing it around the house.
For best results, you'll need to pair it with an effective exercise routine, especially one that's heavy on the cardio. High intensity interval training is a smart choice, and most hot belts shouldn't interfere with the exercises involved.
For best results, you'll need to pair it with an effective exercise routine, especially one that's heavy on the cardio.
Although you're going to be primarily losing water weight, it's absolutely essential that you drink plenty of water throughout the exercise process. Remember, athletes have died from cutting weight before fights and wrestling matches, so you're playing with fire (or at least lack of water) to a certain extent here. Keep a water bottle handy at all times while you work out.
Of course, you'll also need to cut back on the ice cream and Twinkies. You won't accomplish anything unless you burn more calories than you consume, so find a diet that enables you to create a calorie deficit. It will help if you actually like the food you eat and it keeps you full, so don't just jump on the first fad diet you come across. Take the time to find one that actually works for you.
Also, if you decide to try out a hot belt, make sure you wear it consistently. It's certainly not going to do you any good at the bottom of a drawer, and most options are slim and low-profile enough that you can wear them under your clothes without anyone noticing. In fact, they can help create a slimmer silhouette, even if you're not actually losing any weight.
In fact, if you think about it, that's the goal anyway, right? To look like you lost weight without actually having to do it?
Other Uses For Your Hot Belt
While wearing one of these contraptions won't immediately give you a swimsuit-ready body, there may be other reasons why trying one on can have a positive impact on your health.
Some people use them as posture correctors. They hug your core extremely tightly, helping to keep your vertebrae in line and reminding you to stand or sit up straight. If you tend to slouch, wearing one of these might be the reminder you need to improve your posture.
If you tend to slouch, wearing one of these might be the reminder you need to improve your posture.
Likewise, anyone with lower back problems might appreciate the constant pressure these things exert on your spine. There is some evidence that pressure improves blood flow as well, so they could possibly help promote healing for soft tissue injuries.
You may even want to keep one on in place of a weightlifting belt if you do heavy lifting, as it can provide some of the (possibly dubious) benefit of the more rigid models while being more comfortable in the middle of a squat or deadlift.
Softer hot belts can act as a lumbar cushion, so anyone who spends all day at a desk or stuck behind the wheel of an automobile could possibly find that these help them to be more comfortable, especially when paired with a dedicated lumbar support.
When you consider everything these belts can potentially do, combined with their reasonable cost, you may just find that wearing one is right for you, even if it never sculpts your core to resemble that of a Greek god — unless of course the Greeks had a god of cake.
A wandering writer who spends as much time on the road as in front of a laptop screen, Brett can either be found hacking away furiously at the keyboard or, perhaps, enjoying a whiskey and coke on some exotic beach, sometimes both simultaneously, usually with a four-legged companion by his side. He has been a professional chef, a dog trainer, and a travel correspondent for a well-known Southeast Asian guidebook. He also holds a business degree and has spent more time than he cares to admit in boring office jobs. He has an odd obsession for playing with the latest gadgets and working on motorcycles and old Jeeps. His expertise, honed over years of experience, is in the areas of computers, electronics, travel gear, pet products, and kitchen, office and automotive equipment.