Time for an informal survey here, and answer honestly, even though I will have no way of knowing the response. How many times throughout your life, especially during your youth, were you reminded to stand up straight and not slouch? Personally, it was a phrase that I heard frequently, but sadly I didn’t always heed that advice.
Having good posture is one of the keys to keeping the body healthy. Not only does it affect your back, neck, and hips, but good posture also helps with your breathing, causes more efficient blood circulation, and even leads to better digestive health. There are so many ways that posture plays a role in how your body acts and feels on a day-to-day basis, so when your posture is out of whack, chances are there are other lingering issues also going on. With these issues in mind, Dr. Stephen Liu created Forme, a company taking dead aim at posture issues by offering wearable therapeutics.
Forme was formed (lousy pun, I know) by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Stephen Liu during a difficult period of his life, as his mother was battling cancer. During this time, Dr. Liu yearned for a way to help enhance his mother’s posture, which would allow her to breathe easier without having to go through any drastic measures. In its simplistic form, this is the basis for Forme to engineer articles of clothing that can create better posture.
While the inspiration for Forme came from family, the main focus of the brand has been athletes. With all the benefits that come from good posture, there is little doubt that these products could be a bit hit for the best athletes in the world, and it has been. Forme has already enjoyed success with athletes on several US Olympic teams, men’s and women’s US National Rugby Squads, and athletes that make up the NBA, MLB, and NHL. Their product is growing on the golf front as well for both players and caddies. Because of the versatility of this product, it can be worn wherever and whenever the user sees fit. Harold Varner III has found that this shirt helps him out quite a bit while traveling between tour stops. “I wear the shirt when I’m flying mostly from event to event. Sometimes I even sleep in it. The biggest difference I see in my body is good posture from wearing the shirt.”
Sheldon Roberts is a Senior Golf-Fitness Trainer at Urban Golf Performance. Sheldon has not only incorporated Formewear into his routines, but also those of his clients. “When I first put on the shirt, I got instant feedback. The longer I wore the product, the better improvement I saw in my own flexibility, rotation, and posture. Not to mention the better positions I was able to get my body into. So, I made some of my clients wear the shirt during their training sessions. The results have been remarkable.” The chart below helps illustrate how much extra rotation and flexibility has been gained by sporting a Formewear.
In the Forme arsenal are two different shirts for men, the Ace Tee, which I tried, and the Core Tee. The difference between these two is the Ace is more of an athletic workout top, while the Core is much more reminiscent of your everyday undershirt. Construction-wise, these shirts feature a dual-layer material. The inner material features an elastic band that stretches across your scapulas. This band is tight enough that it wants to force your shoulder blades down into a more natural position, which will help open your diaphragm more for easier breathing. For the ladies, there is a Power Bra and Sculpt Leggings, with the same philosophy in use on the bra. I am not the one to test either of those products, but THP co-founder, Morgan (aka GolferGal on the THP Forum), has been using one for a while now and has said she is very impressed.
For longer than I care to remember, I have had back and neck pain. Perhaps we can diagnose the issue from being over-weight, out of shape, and someone who suffers from poor posture. Hearing about the success and science behind Forme’s products made these shirts an attractive option for a wearable therapeutic. I’ve gone through my share of diagnostic wearables to “help” me get into shape, such as a FitBit and Apple Watch, while also trying other therapeutics such as Tens units and massagers. All of those products have their merit, but none of them provides the instant feedback that Forme’s Ace Tee provides.
It’s easy to be skeptical of a product that claims all you have to do is put it on and you will feel a difference, but in this case, it is 100% true. Upon slipping the Ace Tee on, the change in my posture was noticeable, not only in feeling but also in appearance. It’s incredible how much this shirt works as advertised. Instantly my shoulders felt like they were pulled back, and I was standing nice and tall. How comfortable that position will be will vary depending on your body because that sudden change was noticeable. For me, after that initial wow, I settled in and wore this shirt for hours. After the first day wearing this shirt, I experienced some minor soreness, which subsided the more I wore it.
Over the last few weeks, I have worn the Ace Tee during several different activities such as cycling, mowing the lawn, days at the office, and have even slept it in. Having converted to a standing desk, the days at the office with this shirt on showed how much better life could be when achieving better posture and balance. While I will be the first to admit that my sample size is relatively small, but early on, I can confidently say that my neck and back have felt much better on the days that this shirt has been worn. These examples help show that while Forme was developed with athletes in mind, it can pay dividends to those who work in a setting where we are sitting or standing for large portions of the day. Over time, I hope this shirt continues to retrain my back muscles, affording me the same relief when I am not wearing the Ace Tee.
Now let’s get down to the price tag, which at $149-$159 will undoubtedly cause some sticker shock. If you think of this as only a shirt, then yes, it will seem high. However, keep in mind that this is not just a shirt. It is a wearable therapeutic and one that you can use as much as you want without worrying about how much battery life is in it. After my time with this shirt, I recommend it to anyone who feels like their posture is causing them some neck and back issues.
More information on all of the Forme products is available at their website, here.
There are guest posts daily, since they link from the website articles. In fact, those posts are probably from the article itself and not necessarily the forum. ????
Invisaline sounds like a pretty good example. Don’t see it all that much, corrects the problem.
I have a feeling I’ll wind up buying one, but I’m waiting for later in the year. I need you, Black Friday!
Yep, those that really go and read the homepage articles are definitely familiar with that. Been in place a long time now, and it’s awesome.
The shirt itself helps the scapula sit down to allow for better thoracic rotation and rib cage movement, which as golfers we all know is very important. That’s what makes this shirt different than other “posture” shirts. It’s not one to pinch the shoulder blades back together which in the long term actually weakens other muscles. I definitely say try the shirt and add in a good golf fitness training program because you won’t be sorry.
I am highly skeptical that this shirt can move bone and reposition vertebrae. I am also highly skeptical that this shirt will strengthen the supportive musculature around the spine.
Thanks for dropping in Sheldon.
This is some good stuff to know.
So would mirror work be the better use for it more than just hitting balls?
I have my own skepticism about products like this, but I am curious why so many are sure this could not be a viable product. If simply sitting with poor posture is enough to alter the composition of a human being, is it really that crazy to think that wearing something that restricts said slouching/etc would counter it a bit? Even if it was more about halting additional negatives from poor posture?
I’m really looking forward to the continued feedback from @ddec here, because I’m not likely to take the 150 dollar plunge personally – I just don’t see why it’s so unbelievable that this concept couldn’t help people.
This is what I keep coming back to, I think it’s natural to be skeptical, but I’m not grasping how the science and design of it don’t make sense, the concept is sound imo.
But the whole marketing campaign of spam posts with pretty astounding claims is really off putting. Even the website "forme.science" screams infomercial bs.
Despite that I guess we are talking about something that I had no idea about when I woke up this morning, so maybe that’s the point.
You’re assuming that slouching is bad or reforms the skeleton. Neither of those things are true. I am making an assumption, but saying "poor posture" seems to imply that there is a correct posture and that is also just not true. I know it’s a lengthy read, but I posted this earlier in the thread but this is a great read.
Does Posture Matter? A deep dive
http://www.painscience.com
The concept makes sense and if a person buys this shirt and finds that it helps, awesome. I hope they enjoy their investment.
Maybe I am just skeptical because I don’t want a one-time purchase of a $150 t-shirt to make my business of as a strength coach making people of all ages, genders, pathologies, physically stronger and changing their perceptions of pain and capability obsolete. I cannot change skeletons, other than improving bone density which this shirt definitely cannot do, and I guess I don’t like the idea this shirt can do something I can’t.
I mean, both can coexist, no?
They already do.
"Keeps the right shoulder retracted and trained to avoid over the top swing without conscious effort"
So it works for righties but not lefties?
there is a post up above from a strength trainer (Sheldon) who works with PGA tour players. He seems to think there is a place for both. A tool just like any other in helping people.
I’m surprised genuinely to see you think the concept works, but fear it takes money away from you.
I don’t think the concept works. I am trying to be more tempered in my responses.
I don’t work with PGA Tour pros.
I guess this threw me off.
Oh well. Like every golf club, there will be those that are interested in trying and those that are not.
I do/did assume that slouching caused unneeded stress on the body, for sure. I don’t know much of anything about strength training or body positioning to best solve pain or even basic things like breathing (hi @ddec great article buddy), I just don’t see the disregard for a product without proper consideration as a healthy discussion in here, despite a small brood making it a point to downplay the product/response.
My quote earlier was simply to say that I don’t see this as a solution to exercise, simply that most people don’t have that in their regular regimen to begin with, so it’s not exactly a replacement.
this is my take too. i’m not sure anyone is canceling their gym membership and just committing to these shirts going forward. it seems like it could be a great complement for both. like a standing desk. or a medicine ball instead of an office chair. not a replacement, just another arrow in your fitness quiver.
edit to add: two years ago i worked out more than i had since before i got married. i did a ton of core, cardio, and strength training. i definitely got stronger and healthier, but one thing that did not improve was my posture. granted i did not do many specific exercises for posture, i’m just saying having a stronger core alone may not fix posture issues.
Yeah, the concept makes sense, but so does Flat Earth Theory and Intelligent design.
Let me rephrase, I understand why people believe this shirt will help them.
I don’t doubt at all that wearing a shirt like this would feel good, particularly in areas where you might not be in the most comfortable position, like at a desk or on an airplane. Whether it does more than that, I think more research would need to be done.
Just like golf clubs: if you like them, buy them!
Definitely not a replacement for exercise, I’m not sure why people would think it would be TBH. It’s a wearable therapeutic, so I think of it more as something to provide some needed body maintenance.
I really look forward to the day where a shirt can give me a legit six pack #Technology
I do see the value in it serving as a supplement—just not a substitute. For someone like Kev, who is spending hours a day in a car, it may be especially valuable. It’s not like he can stand up while driving ha.
I mean he could try, I don’t think it’d go very well!! hahaha!
Yeah, I think we’re aligned here.
dude my abs are shredded. they’re just hiding behind a few rolls of pillsbury dough.
I re-read the review and see that I missed the answer the first time through.
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Here you go buddy
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I plan on wearing mine at night time or underneath a 1/4 zip if im not gonna be doing something active….. ever since I started working at a desk 6 years ago ive definitely noticed how much worse my posture has gotten. I exercise everyday and have incorporated specific movements to help but ive also been curious in technology like this for quite a while
if I end up liking the other posture shirt I ordered then ill be back to buy one from Forme also. Obviously any of us can retract and lower our shoulders whenever we want but lets face it, none of us do this. I really hope wearing a shirt like this works or at least helps
I think this got lost in the mix. @JB @ddec any information on sizing?
I wear a L shirt and got a L in this as well.
Thank you JB!
I missed it as well so thank you for bumping.
I wore an XL. I don’t know which model shirt JB was wearing, but I believe the Core model fits a touch tighter. If you are bigger in the midsection, I’d probably go up a size esp in the Ace.
Yup, had no clue the forum posts and article posts were linked up. Once I’m done reading an article I stop and don’t look at the comments and come to the thread instead. This is just the first time I’ve noticed these guests posts probably because they seem so well thought out in the response in here.
Which one did you order?
CORE in size medium.
For reference, I’m about 6’1 and 175lbs. I’m really curious if the fit is right. Seems appropriate from their sizing guide.
A bit off topic (but I’ll tie it back) – I’ve deposed the foremost experts on inserts and orthotics and there is no clinical benefit to the vast, vast majority. I expect that this shirt is very similar. I still love the idea as a reminder (heck, I had a digital device a year or two ago that beeped when my office posture went bad) but to say it treats or cures anything has to be an overstatement.
How much of it is just a mental thing then you think? If you get the look good, feel good, play good mentality, does it not still count to an extent?
Absolutely counts for something and I think there could be a benefit here, just overstated. I’m a fan of posture reminders and I have little doubt good posture is good for you. I think the claims are overstated to the point they can’t back them up, which is the shame.
I think that 90% of the hesitation people have about this is rooted in the price. This product at $60, and most would be far more willing to roll the dice on the unknown, and even if it doesn’t help, you’re not out that much.
at $60 would it make people more skeptical too?
I don’t think so personally its still a t-shirt. Tough problem though, priced too low its a joke, priced too high and creates skepticism
What’s weird is when you take it out of the package, it is definitely not a t-shirt haha. It feels super strange.
At $60 I’m rolling the dice to see if it helps.