Do posture correctors work? Let's test!

There are affiliate links throughout this blog post for your convenience, where I can earn a small commission. I never support a product or brand I don't personally use and enjoy, but if you'd like to learn more, you can head to this page on my blog!
​

I’ve seen countless advertisements for posture correctors on Groupon and Amazon. I recently tweaked my rhomboid muscle - that pesky little dude between your shoulder and spine - from sleeping in a weird position (please tell me I’m not the only who becomes a contortionist in their sleep?), and it’s made me pretty hyper-aware of my posture since I’m trying to sit comfortably despite the rhomboid muscle pain. I did a yoga class on Youtube, and when it had me “roll my shoulders back and relax them,” I realized the relaxed position hurt. My posture was worse off than I realized, and working from home off a laptop/having a desk job probably doesn’t help. 

So, while lying in bed, I bugged my husband with the light from my phone and impulse bought a posture corrector on Amazon. The reviews showed people expressing their delight at seeing results after only two days with the photos to show for it. I can only hope that these reviews are legit and not paid for, but I’m still feeling hopeful nonetheless. I’m writing this while I wait for the posture corrector to arrive, and I’ll be chronicling the next seven days completely honestly to see if this helps.

According to Healthline, there are a few benefits of wearing a posture corrector and having proper posture in general. So some of these are the things I’ll be looking for over the next seven days: 

• Reduced stiffness in your neck and shoulders (this will be my biggest indicator)
• Boosted energy levels
• Helps you breathe better (something I'll be measuring when I run)
• Maintaining proper form while exercising
• Reducing chance of injury when exercising or performing physical activities 
• Make you appear taller (I’m only 5’2” so this would be really nice, haha!)

Day 1

The posture corrector I got is from a brand called Selbite. They included a card with instructions for how to put it on (as well as a link to watch a video), plus another card for how to get a coupon for 99% off another posture corrector brace. It also comes with these little pads you can put under your armpits while wearing it to make it more comfortable. 

The instructions say to just put it on like a backpack, tighten the straps until there’s no slack, and then just go about your day. ​

They warn that you shouldn’t have it too right so that way you don’t mess with your blood circulation. Maybe it’s because I have weak upper body strength, but I didn’t find it possible to make it that tight. I also didn’t feel a need for the armpit pads. 

The brace itself wasn’t uncomfortable but it definitely made me aware of how much I slouched. The way it works is when you start to slouch, it’s uncomfortable so it encourages you to sit up properly. The better posture was a bit uncomfortable but I’m sure I’ll get used to it (the instructional card says this is normal). I wore it for the recommended 15-20 minutes (I landed around 20) for the first day. 

After wearing it, I felt myself more aware of my posture, too, because now those muscles have been activated. So far, so good and very minor discomfort. My back was pretty sore, which goes to show how bad my posture was! I think it’ll be worth it to help reduce my back pain in the long run.

Day 2

Day 2 calls for another 15 minutes. The back soreness I experienced last night went away with sleep, and the posture corrector is even more comfortable today now that I’m used to it and know what to expect. I already notice a difference in how I’m carrying myself, which probably attributes to my comfort level. 
​

Day 3

Only went for another 15 minutes today since the instruction card doesn’t call for increasing the time worn until after Day 3 or 4. I’m feeling pretty comfortable with it now, so will probably up it tomorrow. The slight discomfort has definitely minimized dramatically over the last three days, and I’ve found myself throughout the day after wearing it checking myself without having it on. 

Something I’ve already noticed despite only being three days in: before I started, I was needing to crack my neck a lot and my shoulders were beyond stiff. I’ve been overall less stiff and haven’t cracked my neck half as much, so that’s a good sign!

Day 4

I decided to up my wear from 15 minutes to 35 minutes today (as recommended on the instruction sheet to increase it by about 20 minutes at this point) and I barely noticed I was wearing it. This thing is working! I find myself catching myself if I start to slouch, and I feel like I’m slouching much less than before, especially at my work-from-home desk. 

I don’t know that I can speak for my energy levels being any different because of it, but maybe that’s more of a long term effect. I did notice I had an easier time with keeping proper form at the gym today, though.
​

Day 5

I wore it for another 35 minutes today and barely noticed it was on! Nothing really noteworthy beyond it getting easier. It feels much more natural now!
​

Day 6

Today I tried wearing it for 45 minutes. I had been wearing it on my lunch break before but I think I slept funny since I had a crook in my neck when I woke up. I put the posture corrector on as I sat down for breakfast and after a few minutes, felt some relief in my neck as my shoulders rolled back and relaxed.
​

Day 7

I’ve noticed a notable difference in myself and am really glad I got this posture corrector. My back now hurts when I slouch instead of when I relax my shoulders back so I’d say all in all, this was a successful week! I’ve been catching myself if I do slouch, but I’ve noticed today especially that I’m slouching way less even when I don’t have the corrector on.

I also went for a run today and noticed my running form was the best it’s ever been and, as a result, my breathing was better too - something I have been working on since increasing my speed and decreasing walk intervals. 
​

Final thoughts

I’ll probably wear this for another few days or so to really reinforce these good new habits and make sure I don’t fall back into slouching, especially since I’ll be working from home for the foreseeable future. 

Day 1 vs. Day 7 of wearing the posture corrector

​I was surprised at how quickly this worked and definitely would recommend this to anyone who finds themselves slouched over a laptop more often these days. They make some higher tech ones too in case you want something more discreet and that isn’t like backpack straps and function really similarly (by encouraging you to sit up by making slouching uncomfortable).