Back pain is one of the biggest causes of disability in the UK and globally, the leading cause of people living years with disability. I checked out the Lyne Up vest posture corrector for this review to see if it could help.
Now that more of us are working from home, we need to ensure our work setups are as comfortable and adequate as possible. Even with the best ergonomic solutions, sitting hours hunched at a desk is a recipe for pain and discomfort.
There are several posture correctors on the market and it is becoming big business. According to Market Research, the global Posture Correctors market size was US$ 1199.3 million in 2019 and is expected to reach US$ 1833.1 million by the end of 2026.
I was given the Lyne Up vest by Percko to try to see how it impacted my posture and comfort while working throughout the day.
The Lyne Up Vest
For this posture corrector review, I tried the Lyne Up vest for several days in a row for a couple of weeks. They recommend wearing it at least three times a week to get used to it. They say it takes 21 days to ‘re-educate your back’. It is designed to naturally realign your spine with sensors and tension encouraging you to adjust your posture.
It is very lightweight and designed to be worn under your clothing like a second skin. Fasteners allow you to adjust the fit around your middle with an anti slip band to avoid it moving.
There are two designs, a T-shirt for men, which will fit under a shirt or other T-shirt and a sleeveless design for women. Both use Percko’s patented technology to open up your shoulders and align the spine.
They do mention that you may feel some soreness or muscle fatigue initially after wearing it.
How I found it
The Lyne up vest is meant to be a snug fit. You may even discover a little paunch you never knew you had as you clip the fasteners in place!
The material is very soft and thin so sits discreetly under your clothing. You could happily wear it under any outfit (apart from a very thin vest or strappy top).
They mention that it is made with a breathable fabric. I certainly never found myself sweating in it, but I didn’t wear it on extremely hot days. I would imagine it could get a little sweaty, especially around the middle where the anti slip waistband sits.
Overall, I felt no real discomfort but I was aware of it on me for the first hour or so as I got used to it. Towards the end of the first day, I noticed a little fatigue in my upper back.
If anything, just the knowledge that you’re wearing it and the sensation it provides, is enough of a prompt for you to straighten up.
My posture is generally pretty good but I can start to slouch and hunch more as the day progresses. As you fatigue and if you sit for prolonged periods, your posture starts to slump. This was when I started feeling the action of the vest encourage me to pull up.
Points to note
Reviews of the Lyne Up are mostly favourable but some customers were finding issues with the fitting. Mine fit well, however some women with larger bra sizes struggled to get it fitting comfortably.
If you are between sizes, I would size down. Mine was comfortable and not loose but I would suggest, the tighter the fit, the more effective.
This is not a vest that zaps or tingles or inflicts discomfort to get you to sit up! But its tensors definitely encourage you to sit in a more open posture. It was only after wearing it for several days that I really started to see a difference.
Checkout the Lyne Up, RRP: £99
Ways to ease back pain
Apart from posture correctors, ergonomists recommend regular movement as one of the most effective ways to avoid back pain.
In The Homeworker magazine, we speak with expert physios and ergonomists to give you the best advice for your work setup.
• Move regularly. “The best posture is the next posture,” says kinesiologist, Darcey Jaremy (check out our full interview in volume 1) Make sure you give yourself regular movement breaks to stretch out.
• “If you’re sitting, you should be able to sit directly on your sitting bones, with your bottom pushed into the back of the chair; and then let the back of the chair support you, with your head stacked on top so that your ear is stacked directly over your shoulder rather than poking forward,” says leading physiotherapist, Nell Mead (read her expert movement and set up advice in volume 3).
• Don’t just sit down. Work standing up for periods so you are moving and encouraging better posture. A sit-stand desk or platform is a good idea. (Check out our review and discount here.)
• Ergonomics are also important. This includes your setup and positioning of items on your desk as well as specialist furniture and accessories. We reviewed this budget-friendly ergonomic chair for the home office.
Check out our print volumes full of advice for your home office, productivity and wellbeing.
Dedicated to helping you thrive when you work from home, The Homeworker publishes articles that are designed to keep you healthy, happy, and more productive in work and life.
