- Posts
- 91
- Joined
- Jan 1970
I’m struck by how well the body adapts to new situations, yet I always seem driven to reach that next rung on the ladder.
When I first got my Neosteel back in early 2014, I opted for a snug fit. Back then, I had more padding and measured 78 cm at the hips, which is what I specified when ordering. About a year later, I’d lost some waist fat while building muscle in my legs and glutes. This made my current band feel almost too loose. I recalled how secure it felt on its largest setting (around 78.5 cm), but now even the tightest setting (77.5 cm) left me feeling like security was waning. So, I ordered a smaller hip band at 75 cm. It felt incredibly snug initially, making me doubt my choice. Even with the max adjustment of 75.5 cm, it was quite restrictive. Fortunately, as I stopped losing weight and started gaining a little back, I could wear it comfortably on its normal setting. Six months later, I had moved it to its smallest setting. The belt felt secure and comfortable. My effective size had dropped from 78.5 cm down to 74.5 cm—a solid 4 cm reduction.
The only remaining issue was that the band tended to dig into the upper back portion of my gluteus maximus, especially when sitting for long stretches or sleeping curled up.
Looking at this problem from every angle and trying all sorts of bending techniques suggested in manuals, I decided that getting even tighter is the right path. Yes, you read that correctly.
Right now, I’m wearing a 73 cm belt on its largest setting (effectively 73.5 cm). Once again, I’ve hit that familiar feeling of “oh no, this is way too tight.” But as it settles in, the muscle pinching seems to be easing up. I can even wear it comfortably at the normal 73 cm mark.
I believe what’s happening is a physical remodeling process where both body and belt adapt together. Reading accounts from seasoned users suggests that starting off very tight might actually be ideal after several months. The body needs time to adjust just as much as the belt needs slight bending to fit “well enough” for further adaptation. From my experience, proper bending provides about 30% of the comfort, while the rest depends on your body’s ability to adapt. At my current setting, both the belt and crotch module sit firmly against me. I can still slide a fingertip under either the band or the cable. The tube presses against my pelvis with just a millimeter of clearance at its widest point.
What has been your experience? How tight does it need to be for security, and how comfortable will that super-tight feel become over time?