First impression? This belt means business. The neoprene material feels sturdy yet flexible, like a workout buddy that won’t quit on you mid-squat. I wore it during HIIT sessions, and the heat buildup is REAL—it’s like having a portable sauna strapped to your waist. Sweat dripped, but the belt stayed put thanks to the aggressive Velcro (pro tip: smooth your tank top underneath to avoid pinching).

The double-adjustment hooks are genius. I could crank it tight for waist-cinching drama during pilates or loosen it slightly for grocery runs. Though heads up: the front strap does peek under fitted tops, so I reserve it for gym or lazy Sundays. Post-workout, the mesh backing surprised me—it didn’t feel swampy despite the sweat fest.

After 3 weeks, my love handles feel less… present. It’s not magic (sadly), but the compression keeps me aware of my posture, and my post-meal bloat looks smoother. Washed it 4x in a lingerie bag—no fraying yet. If you’re between sizes, size up; this thing doesn’t play nice if it’s too small. Solid $25 investment for sweat-powered waist guilt trips.