Not to mention proud, and maybe just a little bit taller...

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My posture has never been one of my strongest assets.

So as I slowly reemerge from my cave -- aka home -- and catch sight of myself in neighborhood storefront windows, I now realize it’s apparently become one of my worst assets.

Having been hunched over the dining room table/my laptop for the better part of a year hasn’t done me any favors. My shoulders seem to want to hug themselves in front of my body instead of resting naturally away from my chest. Not a great look.

So needless to say there was NO hesitation on my part to try out Gaiam’s Restore Posture Corrector when offered to me. In fact, 2 of my coworkers, Maggie and Shannon, were game to try it with me. Even though Maggie uses a standing desk when she works, and Shannon has been an in-office-and-everywhere-around-it worker (and I remain a dedicated “desk potato”), we all felt as though we could stand (no pun intended) to benefit from learning more about what this brace could and would do for our postures.

Following are the results of our 5-day wear test “experiment.” Take a read and decide for yourself -- are you up for the challenge? If so, we’ve got your back.

MONDAY, MAY 10

Maggie

Off to a crazy Monday, of course! (I've been sneaky, wearing the Corrector for a few days since we got it!) What I like about the Posture Corrector is that it sends me gentle “reminders” to sit up straight. Instead of allowing my body to drag down, I’ve adjusted myself to sit closer to my desk.

I’m wearing a small tank top with a larger sweater over top, affording me the opportunity to wear the Corrector either over or under my sweater. (I started with it above!)

I noticed, however, that instead of sitting up straight, I’ve started to bend forward at my hips just so I can slouch! (What my body won’t do to move the way I’m accustomed to!) My lower back now hurts as a result. Will I be sore tomorrow?… Quite possibly! I hope this changes throughout the week -- that I catch myself in these moments and correct it!

After seeing Carrie in our Zoom meeting, comfy in her sweatshirt with the Corrector underneath it, I decided to move mine below my shirt and on top of my tank. But so far, my armpits are chafing! The Posture Corrector and I still need to grow close as a unit.

Shannon

As someone who has a history of back pain from poor posture, I was excited to get to work this morning and try out my Posture Corrector! I am not new to posture-correcting devices -- I actually have a desktop and laptop raiser at my desk, and I also use a back roller every night before bed. Before even clocking in for the day (because I just couldn’t wait to get started), I unboxed my device and slipped it on over my top. The Corrector has two straps that look and feel like backpack straps, with extra cushion around the front/chest and armpit areas. I adjusted both straps to fit snug around my shoulders, and there is a velcro piece along the back that can also be adjusted for comfort. To prevent any armpit pain, I adjusted the cushioning to protect my armpits. *(Did anyone else try this?)*

So far this morning, I’ve been tagging samples (computer work, easy to complete with the Corrector). I carried samples to our photo studio (the Corrector reminded me to stand tall with my shoulders back), dug through our sample closet (tricky, given the limitations of reaching for anything with the Corrector), organized samples on clothing rails (also tricky to lift my arms higher than shoulder height, so the platform shoes were a smart choice), and packed samples for an upcoming photo shoot (extra tricky!!!)

Those who stopped by my desk today told me I look like a prairie girl gone dark (probably because the black Posture Corrector stands out against my white puffy sleeves) and that I look extra tall today (again, is it because of the platforms or my new, stellar posture?! TBD).

Overall, feeling very confident today! Day 1 feels like a success (and it’s only 1:40 PM)!

Carrie

I just came downstairs after having -- easily -- put on the Posture Corrector for the first time, and my partner said “You look more confident.” So...it’s already doing something, and it’s literally been a minute.

What is that new car smell? Oh, just me… Yes, the scent is very strong.

Even if my shoulders wanted to cave into my chest right now, as they normally do, that’s definitely not happening.

Reaching for my vitamins was a little challenging… sending patience to my coworkers who I know are moving WAY more than me in their Posture Correctors!!

Just got off a Zoom call with the team and was horrified to see Maggie and Shannon wearing their Correctors ON TOP OF THEIR SHIRTS! Mine is sitting on my skin -- I thought I’d done something horribly wrong, but apparently it can be worn either way. Phew.

TUESDAY, MAY 11

Maggie

Woke up this morning and decided I wanted to wear overalls… Then I remembered my friend at my desk, and thought about two straps on each shoulder... I don't think so!

I started to get a little chilly in the office, so I put on a cardigan -- I actually like that it hides my Corrector because 1) people won’t ask about it, and 2) when I don’t see it, I don’t think about it so much.

I’m going to follow Shannon’s lead and move the cushions under my armpits! I think this will help with some of the chafing I felt yesterday.

Still slouching, unfortunately. My body wants to resist the Posture Corrector and revert to its usual curved self. In the long run, I think this is going to require both a body AND mind change -- I need to remind myself rather than having the device do it for me.

Is it weird that I want my Posture Corrector to be pink? I just want it to look happy and pretty!

Shannon

I ended up wearing my Posture Corrector until I left the office at 5:30 PM -- as soon as I took it off I realized how much of a difference it actually made! :) After work, I walked to the grocery store and made conscious reminders to put my shoulders back and stand tall. Totally agree with Maggie -- it is a body and mind change, for sure.

Adjusting the strap cushions to fit snug under my armpits to avoid any pain or uncomfortable rubbing. The Corrector is helpful and not intrusive for me when sitting at a desk.

However, the rest of my day was very, very busy. To be honest, the Corrector is more intrusive when active -- it is hard to reach into boxes, reach up to grab hangers, etc. I do like the subtle reminder to stand taller when I walk around; however, at times I did find myself slouching a bit in my device until I reminded myself to put my shoulders back. Assuming this was from taking my laptop around the office to complete ~secret upcoming projects~ with my team so I was not working at my usual desk set-up!

Carrie

Hello old friend… I was actually a little excited to put this on today, given the rave reviews I got within a minute of wearing it yesterday.

Following the lead of my coworkers and opted to wear on top of my sweatshirt this am.

Its tug is like an unspoken signal to me to get it straight -- literally! I definitely reverted back to my normal crouched-over position as soon as I took it off yesterday, so hoping that at some point this week, my better posture starts to stick.

AGAIN, my partner said how much better I look, and that I need this thing in my life for a long time. So that’s considerable incentive.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 12

Maggie

I’m reluctant to put my Corrector on. Shannon has been speaking so highly of hers, but I find myself slumping down and forgetting to pull myself up!

Today I decided to keep things simple -- and wearing a top that's tighter to my body so the Corrector sits snugly on my back. I love Shannon’s tip of moving the cushions under my arms. I have noticed how much it has helped me, and I find myself forgetting about the Corrector for the first time!

I will say I’ve been adjusting the straps much more than normal. I visited our studio and realized the Corrector was hanging loosely from my shoulders. I have to continuously tighten it!

Shannon

Day 3 started out very busy for me -- I almost even forgot to put my Corrector on! I’ve been doing *active* computer work most of the morning. I do find myself adjusting the tightness more today than the past two days -- wondering if the straps are stretching out a little bit or if my posture is getting better?

Today I am testing out shorter sleeves to see how my armpits hold up (does that sound weird?! LOL). Also, I am wearing it on top of my shirt today and I have gotten a few comments from coworkers wondering what it is and how it is helping. Many agree that they find themselves slouching at their computers while working + have tried to tweak the way they sit, i.e. raising their computer screens with books or placing cushions behind their backs.

I did notice that my lower back has started to hurt a bit from putting such an emphasis on sitting up straight -- probably lower back muscles that I don’t use too often? Not sure. I have helped this by lowering my desk chair so that I am eye-level to my computer screens and leaning back in my desk chair so that my lower back sits flat against the back of the chair.

Carrie

In a mad rush to make a morning doctor’s appointment (ironically, to a chiropractor!), I forgot to grab my Corrector.

And it was obvious! Without it, I found myself hunched over my phone, checking emails in the waiting room as per my usual. Nothing to remind me that, “hey, shouldn’t you be sitting up a little bit?”

After wearing the Corrector for almost 3 days, I JUST learned (or was told) that there is a strap that you can adjust on the back!! (That’s what I get for not reading any instructions.) I’m going to assume this most recent tweak will minimize some of the shoulder tugging I was doing yesterday. I do have to say that it does not let me crouch into my laptop as I otherwise would, so still holding out hope that it will train my shoulders to arch back!

THURSDAY, MAY 13

Maggie

Got to work and saw my Posture Corrector sitting on my desk -- totally forgot about it! It feels less comfortable over a thick cardi, so I’m now wearing it right on my skin, basically! I’m worried about potential rubbing, but, so far so good.

Shannon

After coming into the office and suiting up for the day, I realized there is too much fabric around the armpits of my sweater for it to fit comfortably. With that being said, today I am wearing the Corrector under my sweater!

*Story Time* I noticed that I was sitting up e x t r a tall and it felt super tight -- I took it off for a double-take and realized that it was upside down (lol). I then spent a few seconds seriously contemplating if I had been wearing this upside down all week?!

I really enjoy wearing the Corrector when I am doing stationary work but, as soon as I have to carry, organize, pack -- the Corrector proves to make those actions difficult and doesn’t seem to really help my posture. Personally, I feel that I am more likely to hunch when sitting. I don’t think that this has truly perfected my posture in only just a few days. It is a great reminder, though, to keep posture in mind while working -- especially as offices begin to reopen!

Carrie

I have to admit that wearing the Corrector UNDER my shirts seems to have proven more effective. Maybe because I’ve worn sweatshirts all week, and the fabric is a little too thick to secure a good fit? I reverted back to wearing it against my skin today, and feel more “contained” as a result.

With only one day to go, I can’t say that my posture is “fixed” by any means. I foresee having to wear this for a great deal longer to reap the real benefits of the Posture Corrector. Meaning, training my body (and mind, as Maggie pointed out) to notice that I’m keeping my chest open and back straight.

The good news? Since I tightened the back of the brace, I found myself having to make far fewer adjustments today, i.e. tugging on front straps.

Maybe splurging on an ergonomic chair would be useful, too!

FRIDAY, MAY 14

Maggie

Can't believe we’ve made it! Today I opted for a thin white shirt (this seems to be my go-to) and a chunky cardigan. My body has definitely adjusted to the Corrector, but still find my lower back folds in while my chest remains open. I think this is my body's way of making sure my Posture Corrector is working, but -- I want to slouch SO BAD!

Standing at a desk definitely helps to keep my posture strong. I have to lift my arms more regularly which produces some resistance. However, I do get tired (probably because I'm so out of shape!) and, to take notes during meetings, I resort to sneaking back into my chair -- also, so I can really lean into what we are chatting about!

This will be an ongoing personal project. It is not just with a handy friend that we can perfect our posture! I feel lucky that I was able to be part of this test, and learn more about how my back does (and doesn’t) work!

Can I wear it on a long car drive? I am so much more alert in the car, of course, and my body naturally sits straighter... I think a test like this could be interesting?

Shannon

The final day of setting ourselves straight! I had a lot of fun this week testing out and experimenting with the Posture Corrector. After 5 days, I agree that this product definitely reduces slouching and serves as a good reminder to keep shoulders back. To show off my brace on the last day, I am wearing it over a tie dye sweater -- super comfy option! I haven’t felt uncomfortable at all. Probably because today has been mostly a computer-work day for me as I tag new samples + prep for next week’s photo shoots! I think the hardest part about wearing the Corrector for me was during my active days and while organizing samples.

As you carry yourself with shoulders back and a straight spine, you forget that the Posture Corrector is even on! I also like that I have been able to adjust the straps as the day goes on. When I am sitting at my desk, I prefer the straps to be extra tight. However, it is nice to have the option to loosen the straps when I am reaching up high to hang samples in our sample closet, bending over to unbox samples, or carrying boxes. Still reducing my slouch, but not as restrictive for my arms!

I am excited to try this device for (post-experiment) while sleeping (is this weird?!)!! Think about it -- 6-8 hours in one singular slouched position?! As a side sleeper who curls up into a ball every night, I wake up most mornings with pain in my upper back. No matter what I try, I can’t seem to shake my habit of sleeping curled up on my side! So I am definitely interested to see if wearing this might help! I also agree with Maggie’s idea to try this out while driving -- a great way to stay alert on the road while reducing the slouch!

Carrie

DAY FIVE!!!!! I’m switching it up AGAIN, and wearing my Corrector over a t-shirt (because thankfully, the weather is getting that nice today). I would say that, if you opt to try this, I would wear under anything bulky, or on top of a tee or blouse if you want a thin layer of cushioning between your skin and the brace.

I’m suited up nice and tight for this “last day,” though as I mentioned, I think it will take several more weeks of wearing the Corrector until my body “gets it.”

I think the trick of this thing is to begin carrying yourself so that you don’t feel ANYthing? Like, I’m sitting at my dining room table right now, chest pushed out a bit, back very erect, and I barely notice the Corrector on me. Now I’m really conscious of it at the moment, but as soon as I begin to slouch and the brace digs into the top and front of my shoulders, I’m quickly reminded to get it together!

So my hunch (no pun intended) is: I need to wear the Corrector until my back remains good and straight on its own.