I bought a ShouldersBack Lite.
True confession: I only ever thought of them as a pseudo-cheater device for the show ring. But after my friend/CrossFit trainer showed me a similar device and recommended that I wear one while sitting at my desk at work to help retrain and strengthen my atrophied upper back muscles, I thought, "Hey, equestrians have been doing that for years!"
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| Example of my usual shoulder position, at my own wedding. (Combo hair appointment driver/ceremony witness in the background, by the way. He didn't speak English, and picked me up in a black Mercedes with a custom leopard print interior. We had a stilted conversation in Italian about Prince, which was blasting from his speakers. His finest contribution to my wedding occurred in this photo: |
One more time, zoomed in:
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| Don't ever change, random Prince-loving Italian dude! |
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| At least my leg position has an excuse, this wasn't my saddle, but those shoulders... |
I see it the way I saw the Horse Hugger/side reins setup we put Connor in two summers ago, after I made him one-sided: I'm going to use it to help redevelop my "topline" (ha!) and retrain my way of going. I'm not going to use it in the saddle or in the gym. I've been unable to fix my bad posture on my own, so it's time to bring in reinforcements.
Anyone ever used one before?
I decided sometime last year to use my Shoulder's Back (which I have had for years and years and years and years now) to wear only at work and not while riding, the benefit of 8+ hours of work versus 1+ hour of a riding a day seemed more drastic and I was right, until I lost it (got attached to a saddle pad in the wash) I found it again and plan on using it again all the time :P
ReplyDeleteOh good, I feel like you know what you're doing with both desk jobs and with riding so that's a good recommendation, thanks! Note to self, put ShouldersBack in bra bag before washing??
DeleteMy next recommendation is to put it on over your shirt. When I first got it in like 2005, I wore it under my clothes, big mistake, it needs to be tight so its uncomfortable to to do your bad posture and comfortable to do the correct posture. So under clothes I developed these awesome scars (being tan means I scar easy) in my armpits. After about a month I realized what was happening and stopped so they are completely gone now.
DeleteI just got one and have use it once...so nothing of real value to offer. I'm looking forward to really using it.
ReplyDeleteCool, I am excited to try it with you! I hope it helps.
DeleteExcited to hear how you like this. I've thought of getting one before but haven't gotten around to it yet.
ReplyDeleteInteresting, it seems from the comments that you are not alone in that. I am definitely going to do a write-up. It doesn't arrive until Monday.
DeleteI'm really interested in your take on this. I have all kinds of shoulder issues. I tend to think a "brace" would help, but have never tried it.
ReplyDeleteI will be sure to do a write-up on it. I think it will help. I feel like I just need someone to constantly remind me to pull my shoulders back, because even when I do, it hurts.
DeleteI've also thought about getting one, my posture is horrible.
ReplyDeleteI'll be sure to let you know how it works, I think it can only help.
DeleteMy own true confession: I use twine tied in a small figure eight... Mostly because twine has always been immediately available! ;)
ReplyDeleteThat's a good (and frugal) idea!) I got this one off eBay at a discount, and hope to wear it at work. Twine might not go over well with the boss. ;-)
DeleteLol I created a pseudo-one with an old Ace bandage and safety pins, but it worked really well! Wanting to pull it out again this winter. I did wear it while schooling sometimes, but mostly at my office job and school. And at the time I wasn't riding much, so I'm not sure where I'd come down on that now...
ReplyDeleteThat's a good idea! You should!
DeleteInterested in the results, although I will admit I have good posture.
ReplyDeleteYou are lucky!
DeleteTELL ME HOW YOU LIKE IT! I have *horrible* posture and I think something like this could really help.
ReplyDeleteOKAY I CERTAINLY WILL!!! :-) This is a very popular topic, I don't receive it until Monday but I will keep you posted on how it goes!
DeleteCool idea. I tried one on once and liked it, but haven't spent the money. Hope you do an update on this one.
ReplyDeleteI definitely will. It arrives on Monday, and I'll do one after I've worn it a few days. Certainly a long-term project.
DeleteTrue Confession Time: I wore a girl's in IHSA my freshman year. It worked well to correct my rounding shoulders, but I'm pretty sure the effects weren't lasting.
ReplyDeleteNancy is always yelling at me about my forward elbows. Do you think I could still do my job with a dressage whip behind my back and threaded through my arms?
I love this comment :) I always ride with my arms out in front too haha
DeleteI need to start wearing mine again!
ReplyDeleteWow I'd never heard of this. I too have horrible posture but I'm MUCH MUCH older than most of you. I wonder if it's never too late? Very interested to hear how you get on with it Jen...
ReplyDelete