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.
From the photos in the article the front looks like a t-shirt and the back definitely looks strange haha
I agree. If it were $60, I would think about giving it a shot. Buy one and if it helps get a few more. At $160, knowing that I would likely need a few of them to cycle through, it is pretty much a non starter.
That’s a good point. If I feel like it’s really going to work I would want multiple to wear throughout the week but there’s no way I could justify it unless it performed a miracle.
Its funny how us golfers view items such as this or any other.
Take buying a new shaft blind. No idea if it will work. Best case scenario, you gain a few more yards? Usually at a pretty premium cost.
Then take shoes, items such as this, etc. Price nearly dictates the entire segment. Interesting dynamic and one that makes me ponder.
At $60 you’re in the neighborhood of many other golf shirts. Would be more likely to take a flier on it.
While I do think the price is high for a new product entry point, most golf shirts come in as a new release at substantially more than $60. That would be a tough task I would imagine.
This is my thoughts.
Yeah I was going to say that some shirts are a bit more expensive, but 60 was the number that was thrown out there .
How dare you attack my shaft soft spot haha. I get what you’re saying. I would shell out big $$ for a shaft that I haven’t hit. But, the thought of paying $160 for a wedge drives me crazy.
I mean this turd is $100 from Nike.
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Items like a shaft or equipment you can at least resell the shaft if it didn’t work and recoup some of it.
As attractive as my musk is I don’t think anyone would want to buy my used shirt .
For some reason in a cheapskate on apparel and can’t get myself to pull the trigger on shirts over $60. And the designer of that Nike shirt you posted needs to be fired!
Is that what a stick figure graveyard looks like?
but it’s not meant to be a golf shirt.
But golf shirts are all about fashion/design and appeal to people. While I think those prices are a bit high too we do pay it if we really like it. I’d be willing to bet they come out with a better design in the future. Even if the price was about $50 less I’d bet more people would be willing to try it.
Right. That was kind of my point. We crave a look, and whether this works or not long term is up for debate, although it is helping me personally.
I can’t think of a single "health" accessory that isn’t rather pricey, but I do think it is interesting how we view things as golfers and what we are willing to pay for.
To use an example of Theragun mini. When we first posted about it, everybody said it was too expensive. Then people got to test them out and it was a game changer and it is as if half our forum community bought one. They made people feel better. I think there is a bit of a parallel here.
I said from the moment I saw this shirt/device that I thought it was priced high. Now I am seeing hockey teams buying them, MLB teams buying them, PGA Tour players buying them and while their funds are all far less limited than the average person, I have a feeling items such as this catch on pretty quickly over the next couple of years.
How about golf balls?
Sales on that (I pray) were poor. Hot steaming pile, even on clearance
Golf balls are just items you temporarily own. You donate them back to the earth.
With the teams – are they sponsored teams/people? Or are they buying in the individual capacity?
I was told by someone outside of the company, that the teams are buying them and NOT sponsored.
Yes this is true.
The golf gods appreciate your sacrifice.
The Donnie Thompson Bowtie has been around for a long time at $60 https://www.spud-inc-straps.com/bowtie/
If the Forme changed their marketing away from the "improve your posture and your life" marketing to "it kind of feels good to wear it for a while but it doesn’t really do much other than that," I would make consider buy one. But as it stands, Forme’s marketing comes across as a grift, to me, and I won’t support that with my money.
No you wouldn’t. You have made that clear haha.
Let’s call a spade a spade….their slogan could be "blugold loves this and you will too!" with your picture on the website giving a big thumbs up, and you still wouldn’t consider buying it. So let’s stop pretending.
You’re right. I was trying to give them the benefit of the doubt.
I agree. Very pricey.
Does the same thing
Bowtie
http://www.spud-inc-straps.com
A lot of what has been shared and can be read on Forme’s website suggests this is more of a positional trainer in a lot of ways, which to me suggests it’s got nothing to do with treating or curing anything (which I am glad to see if it’s not possible).
It seems to me like it’s more about "this product puts your body into "x" position so you don’t have "y" result"
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It has multiple layers, so not sure how great this would be to wear under golf shirts….
Will see how it goes.
looking forward to your thoughts. It definitely seems to get me “right” while sitting at my desk.
Ok, been wearing it for about one hour now. My initial impressions….
1. I’ve never worn anything like this before so had little to no expectations of what this was going to be about.
2. I work from home and sit in my office all day working, so figured it might help me from slouching. Not to mention the side hope that this might somehow benefit my golf swing.
3. After wearing it for one hour……..
a. It isn’t particularly "comfortable." But why would it be, in fairness. It is supposed to do something of course, achieve an end.
b. I’m wondering if the large size would have been a bit more comfortable? But then also wonder if it would then be as effective.
c. It pulls in near your armpits which is kinda odd and that where the slightly uncomfortable element comes into play. I should certainly expect some level of discomfort and
this is a minor annoyance at its worst.
For some reason I expected it to be a one layer item, the multi-layer element is interesting and made me question whether I’d wear this under a golf shirt while playing.
All in all, seems pretty cool and I plan to keep it. Will chime in with more as I get more experience. I intend to wear it daily while working at my computer.
Gonna run to the range now and see how it feels swinging….
A trainer to a number of your players posted earlier in the thread that it’s not ideal for swinging.
I too at first found some tightness in under arm area. I was told to try jt over a shirt and/or discomfort would go away shortly and they were right. Completely comfortable after a day or so.
Like you I sit at a desk for hours on end and are hunched over and feel as though this has helped me a bit. Time will tell long term.
I don’t agree with the price point argument. I can be as tight as the next guy but if I put pen to paper and figure out how much I spend on golf related products and on non-essentials $150 in the grand scheme of things isn’t that much. Heck I’ll spend more on impulse buying at Costco. But to buy a product that makes you feel better I think is worth every penny.
As my friend recently said. "Cheap is expensive, and expensive is cheap."
They are out of my size
If it pulls them back — and down — it should be a legit benefit. That’s a major element in multiple exercises in physical therapy for neck and shoulder pain. (Ask me how I know )
I got denied but will try again. Care to share any tricks/tips?
Just back from the range and agree, I won’t bother to wear this while practicing or playing. It certainly didn’t bother me though.
They gave me this information to submit to my HSA, so that’s what I did. Got a message back that it is good to go
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Funny….I did the exact same thing and mine was rejected. Good times these FSAs! lol…. I just resubmitted it again!
Eh, I don’t agree it’s that harmless of an explanation and I think they go past that but it doesn’t matter. I would have never noticed these claims if the first post I commented on didn’t literally use the word “cure.” I have to assume that came from the company the way it was worded. Claims that toe the line (for me) and go past include:
That could be interesting. I have NO idea what my sleep posture is.