Summary
Ross and Carrie put posture correction devices to the test in this hands-on product review episode. They trial two categories of products: the Upright Go 2, a $107 electronic device that adheres to your upper back and vibrates when you slouch, and a traditional posture brace (over-the-shoulder strap design) that physically pulls your shoulders back. The hosts share their multi-week experience with the Upright Go 2, noting that its training mode effectively buzzes when you lean forward past a calibrated threshold, though it misses certain forms of poor posture like the "butt-forward slouch." They discuss the device's claimed benefits including improved testosterone, reduced cortisol, better breathing, and increased oxygen to the brain. While they find the core product functional, both hosts rate it a modest positive experience -- useful for posture awareness but not transformative enough to justify the $100 price tag for most people. They also test a cheaper physical brace that simply holds the shoulders back, finding it uncomfortable but effective as a reminder.
Key Points
- The Upright Go 2 ($107) uses an accelerometer to detect slouching and vibrates as a correction cue
- Training mode buzzes after 3 seconds of forward lean; tracking mode passively logs posture data
- The device quickly improved slouch time from ~20% to low single digits through awareness alone
- Upright Go claims to boost testosterone, lower cortisol, improve breathing, and increase brain oxygen
- The device misses some poor postures like backward leaning and the "butt-forward slouch"
- Simple posture awareness is the primary benefit -- the device acts as a persistent reminder
- Physical posture braces ($15-20) pull shoulders back but can be uncomfortable for extended wear
- Both hosts stopped using devices after the trial period, suggesting the behavior change didn't stick
Key Moments
How the Upright Go 2 trains better posture through buzzing
Ross and Carrie explain the Upright Go 2's training mode, where it vibrates after 3 seconds of forward lean, and how Ross quickly reduced his slouch time from 20% to low single digits just through increased awareness.
"I feel like I did notice a difference because I was becoming more aware of it and trying to sort of game the system. This is all very good for people who love gamification. It gives you little charts afterwards and you can see a little pie chart of like how long you were upright versus how long you weren't."
Upright Go's health benefit claims examined
The hosts review Upright Go's claimed benefits including boosted testosterone, lowered cortisol, improved breathing, and increased oxygen to the brain. They find the breathing and oxygen claims reasonable but are skeptical about the hormone claims.
"An upright posture boosts testosterone production and lowers cortisol levels in the body and brain, making you feel ready to take on any challenge. Upright posture also helps your lungs to take in more oxygen giving your body what it needs to naturally relax."
The honest verdict on posture correction devices
After weeks of testing, both hosts give the Upright Go a lukewarm review -- useful as a posture awareness tool but neither kept using it after the trial. They note it would be most valuable for people whose bodies are central to their work, like models or actors.
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