Let's face it: For a good chunk of your day, you're either hunching in front of your desk for several hours or craning your neck on your phone the rest of the time. By the time you're getting into bed in the evening, you have some serious aches in your back, neck and shoulders. Needless to say, your posture could use some work, and the best posture corrector for men can be an easy remedy.
Why Does Good Posture Matter?
Maintaining good posture has become ever more challenging, thanks to our modern lifestyles. But what exactly is "good" posture, and why does it matter?
Ideally, good posture is achieved when your body muscles support the skeleton in a natural (stable and energy-efficient) alignment. In other words, your spine and joints should be stacked in a manner that doesn't pull or strain your muscles or ligaments, which can cause a lot of pain and wreak havoc on your whole body. Being mindful of your posture has several major health benefits:
- Better breathing
- Better balance and stability
- Improved energy levels
- Helps you to maintain proper form when exercising
- Reduced chances of injury when performing physical activities
Since posture revolves around muscular strength on the skeleton, resistance training is the best solution to bad posture. It beefs up the muscles so that they can support your body back into its natural alignment. Posture correctors can help you undo the damage or work on finding your ideal sitting and standing posture.
It's important to keep in mind that posture correctors may only be helpful for some people; they're no magic bullet for everyone. That being said, the real benefit of these correcting devices is that they make you aware of your posture, which helps you track and maintain your posture if it's correct or rectify it if it's poor. So, when you're looking for the best posture corrector for men, you must ensure that it is:
- Comfortable, whether you're sitting or standing.
- Flexible - it shouldn't force your body into any positions that can cause pain or discomfort.
- Gentle
Let's look at 5 of the best posture correctors for men on the current market:
Best Posture Corrector for Men
1. Best Overall: Truweo Posture Corrector
- Helps Regain Proper Posture – First impressions make a difference...
- Adjustable & Comfortable – Features soft foam straps you can adjust...
- Promotes Self-Awareness – Designed to develop muscle memory and...
- Breathable & latex free – Washable materials and a lightweight...
- Wear Under Your Clothes! – Unlike the bulky brands out there, this...
If this is your first time trying out a posture corrector, and you aren't particularly sure what you need, then the Truweo Posture Corrector is definitely a good place to start.
It's made for both men and women, specifically designed to address back, shoulder and neck pain. It can be worn while sitting, standing or lying down, making it a great choice for people who lead active lifestyles or sedentary ones. This brace works by training your muscles to maintain a proper alignment, which helps you develop the necessary muscle memory to hold your back straight.
The Truweo Corrector is made of soft, breathable, latex-free material, making it quite flexible. Furthermore, the fully adjustable straps don't rub against or irritate your skin and armpits. The company also claims that this posture corrector should be virtually undetectable when worn under clothes. Truweo also recommends using this device for 5 to 10 minutes a day when you're starting, then gradually working your way up.
2. Best with Lumbar Support: Tubnvoot Back Brace Posture Corrector
- Full Back Support Design :This posture corrector focus on providing...
- Breathable material: Our back posture corrector brace is made with...
- Easy to use Based on Ergonomics design with adjustable straps. Adjust...
- Durable VelcroOur Posture corrector velcro is strictly screened and...
- Warranty1 year warranty and lifetime service. Your satisfaction is our...
The Tubnvoot is ergonomically designed for both men and women to support the upper body. This relieves tension and pain in your back, neck and shoulders.
It's made of breathable material to ensure you don't overheat when wearing it. The velcro straps around the waist and shoulders guarantee you get a snug yet comfortable fit. This also makes it a great option while exercising or lifting weights in the gym.
Currently, the Tubnvoot Back Brace Posture Corrector comes in three different sizes:
- Medium, for 25 to 33-inch waists
- Large, for 33 to 37-inch waists
- Extra-Large for up to 42-inch waists.
3. Best for Neck: Marakym Clavicle Brace Posture Corrector
- 𝗕𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗙𝗜𝗧𝗦 & 𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧: Our...
- 𝗡𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗧𝗢𝗢 𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝗧𝗢...
- 𝗠𝗔𝗗𝗘 𝗧𝗢 𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗧: The Marakym Corrector is...
- 𝗟𝗢𝗡𝗚𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗚 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗧:...
- 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗞𝗬𝗠 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗧𝗦: Our...
If you've only been experiencing neck pain for a short while, the Marakym Clavicle Brace Posture Corrector is a great device to nip that looming condition in the bud. This particular corrector is intended to be worn around the clavicle to focus on your neck.
Its made of lightweight neoprene material, which makes it remarkably breathable and flexible. It can be a great choice for people who find large braces a bit uncomfortable. However, it's important to note this posture corrector doesn't have lumbar support.
It has an adjustable hook and loop closure; hence it can fit right about any body type and size. This means it can be used effectively for both sedentary and active lifestyles. What's also impressive about this posture corrector is it comes with a travel case and roll of kinesiology tape, giving you full value for your money.
4. Best Digital: Upright Go 2
- WHAT IS UPRIGHT? This tiny device gives you gentle vibrating reminders...
- EASY SET UP: Simply place it on your back with the adhesive or...
- BIOFEEDBACK SCIENCE: We apply biofeedback and behavioral science to...
- TRACK YOUR PROGRESS: Personalize your posture training program via the...
- CHOOSE YOUR POSTURE TRAINER: Both GOS & GO2 are the same size and...
Wearing a traditional posture corrector might not be everyone's cup of tea. Some get too warm, and others have sensitive skin, sensory issues or other problems associated with wearing a brace. Enter the digital posture corrector.
The Upright Go 2 is a superb alternative to the typical back posture corrector. It's made of high-grade silicone, meaning it's safe to wear on your body for long periods of time. It's also fairly easy to put on and take off, thanks to its magnetic clasp. It comes with a built-in USB that holds the Go 2, where it works by vibrating gently when you slouch, training you to work on better posture.
You can also connect it to the Upright app, which gives you useful posture-tracking information and feedback in real-time. Plus, this impressive back support device is very easy to hide under clothing.
5. Best for Comfort: Evoke Pro Posture Corrector
If you want a couple of nifty features on top of solid support from your back posture corrector, it's hard to look past the Evoke Pro.
This lightweight, flexible posture corrector comes with three different levels of rigidity. The rigidity is adjusted by adding or removing ultra-light aluminum alloy or plastic PVC support bars. Removing all the bars entirely gives you the most minimal support and you can tweak around from there.
You're assured of a perfect fit with the Evoke Pro, thanks to the CoreGEar Rotary Modules on each side. These allow the corrector to adjust up and down for various body sizes, ensuring that it's always tight and secure. This is further improved by hooks and loops closures with silicone lines; the brace never moves or skids.
It comes in three sizes; small, medium and large. And to cap it off, this is one of the few posture braces that can also be worn while driving.
Factors to Consider in the Best Posture Corrector for Men
1. Usability
While this might sound pretty obvious, you should ensure that you buy a device that you can actually use. A corrector's usability relies on multiple factors, including weight, practicality and adjustability. According to Dr. Gbolahan Okubadejo, M.D., FAAOS -a certified spinal and orthopaedic surgeon- you should ask yourself the following questions to help you narrow down to the best posture correction device:
- Can you wear the gadget under your clothes?
- Does it feel heavy on your body? Bulky or awkward under your armpits?
- Is the posture corrector adjustable, just in case you lose or gain weight?
- Does the posture corrector actually support you?
The underlying idea is, if you can't use the gadget properly, then all the benefits just go out of the window.
2. Correction and Positioning
A good back posture corrector should foster active correction rather than passive positioning. What does this mean? Since you're retraining your body to position itself properly, your muscles need to do the adjusting and realigning, not the posture corrector. Therefore, you want a device that reminds you to rectify your posture instead of one that constrains you in a specific position.
3. Focus of Support
Different types of posture correctors focus on specific types of poor posture. Therefore, before you settle on a posture corrector, it's important to examine your posture weaknesses first. Ask yourself: Do you hunch over from your upper or lower back? Do you slouch over your keyboard with your chest and shoulders? In what settings do you mostly have poor posture- at the dining table or in your recliner? Such details give you a better understanding of the particular product that can address your specific needs.
4. Physical Therapy Needs
A posture corrector alone is not enough to remedy chronic problems, which is why experts recommend combining the gadget with physical therapy treatments. Ultimately, good posture relies more on strong and flexible muscles than an external device. Therefore, if you don't see much change after using a posture corrector for a while, or you find yourself using it repeatedly after weeks of use, it would be best to consult a health professional-say a physical therapist, to get a full assessment or treatment plan for correcting your condition.
5. Comfort & The Ease of Use
There'd be no point in wearing an effective posture corrector that's just too uncomfortable or a struggle to wear. Generally, the most comfortable posture correctors tend to be soft and snug, keeping your muscles constantly activated while also preventing atrophy.
Posture correctors should be easily self-adjusting so that users don't have to rely on another person to put it on, adjust the tension or take it off. It's also important that the posture corrector can be worn comfortably under or over clothes.
But Do Posture Correctors Even Work?
In short: it depends. There are mixed results when it comes to posture correctors. Peter G. Passias, MD, FAAOS -an orthopedic spine specialist at the New York Spine Institute posits that posture correctors are more effective and beneficial for people who just have poor habits. If a patient already has posture abnormalities or rigid spine deformities-like severe spondylosis, posture devices aren't going to treat the diagnosis, really.
If you don't have any such conditions and simply want to relieve your aches and pains, a posture corrector (used correctly) can help train your body for proper alignment. Keep in mind that most posture correctors have not had formal clinical trials. Therefore, finding the right product might take some trial and error. Remember, before you try any back posture corrector, it's best to check with your doctors first.
It's also important to note that when you use a posture corrector too much-especially physical braces-your muscles may become dependent on the gadget. This would actually weaken them, thus exacerbating the problem. Ideally, you should use a posture device in tandem with a posture-strengthening exercise routine. A solid posture program should target muscles in your upper back, lower back, core, hips and glutes.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Posture Correctors
1. How safe are posture correctors?
Quite safe, but only when used correctly. As much as posture correctors shouldn't cause you any harm, they're still not entirely risk-free. Furthermore, they're not a permanent solution to some chronic posture and back problems. Also, remember that overusing a posture corrector can cause muscle atrophy over time.
2. How long should you have a posture corrector on?
This varies from posture corrector to the other, as well as how familiar you are with the gadget itself. It's recommended that you start with 15 to minutes a day. You can gradually extend your sessions to up to an hour a day as your body gets used to its proper positioning.
3. Do doctors endorse posture correctors?
Posture correctors are usually recommended for people with mild misalignment cases, such as general back pain, neck pain, headaches or a noticeably hunched posture. For such, a posture corrector can help you retrain your muscles back into a healthier alignment. But for more severe conditions, individualized assessment from a doctor is the best course of action before buying a posture corrector.
