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December 17, 2008 5:00 AM PST

Review: For slouchers, iPosture is a go

by Sharon Vaknin
  • 6 comments

A discreet solution for slouchers.

(Credit: iPosture)

After putting the iPosture on my Crave holiday wish list, I was lucky enough to obtain one for review. Four days later, this gadget gets kudos.

Most doctors prescribe an exercise regimen for improving posture, but the iPosture was created by doctors to fight slouching on the go. The iPosture is about the size of a large button, and clips onto a bra strap or necklace or can be stuck directly onto the chest. When the user is slouching, it alerts them by vibrating once.

I do have a history of bad posture (can you say: get off the computer?), so I thought this could be a solution to my problem. During my review, it was clipped onto my bra strap for two days, and stuck on with adhesive for two days.

After putting it on, I immediately tried bending down, slouching, and so on, and got no response from the device. Maybe we tech geeks can't figure everything out without a manual, because I soon found that the user must be slouching for at least 60 seconds before the iPosture vibrates. This is done to avoid false positives when bending down to pick something up or twisting.

Every time I got into a new position like sitting, standing, or walking, I'd have to press the iPosture once so it could memorize my correct posture.

At first, I hesitated using it, as I was afraid people might see or hear the device, but it was actually very discreet. There was one embarrassing moment, however, when I walked up to a checkout counter and subconsciously pressed my iPosture to reset the position, which was followed by a vibration. After an awkward stare from the cashier, I could see her obvious conclusion: "Fembot!"

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August 21, 2008 3:36 PM PDT

Pavlovian iPosture is no slouch

by Leslie Katz
  • 1 comment
iPosture

The iPosture can be worn as a pendant, attached to the skin with adhesive patches, or clipped to a shirt or bra.

(Credit: iposture.com)

Thanks to nanosensor technology, your mother doesn't need to tell you to stand up straight anymore. A new gadget called iPosture will do that job for her.

The battery-operated device contains a microchip that monitors the angle of the wearer's upper chest several times per second, vibrating briefly when it senses a deviation greater than three degrees from the programmed ideal stance. Specialized software filters spurious movements, which allows the iPosture to adapt to various body types and activities--presumably stopping it from zapping you in the middle of sit-ups, for example. It's an inch in diameter and can be clipped to a shirt or bra, worn as a pendant, or attached to the skin with special adhesive patches.

Girl wearing iPosture (Credit: Business Wire)

The idea for iPosture was born while Memphis, Tenn.-based neurologist and pain management specialist Moacir Schnapp and his wife, Dr. Elma Schnapp, were writing the book Young, Sexy and Healthy: The Ten Best Exercises for Your Posture.

The Schnapps cite manifold reasons to stop slouching. They say women with good posture are less prone to osteoporosis fractures; men with good posture are twice as likely to keep their balance and function as they age; and everyone who stands up straight is generally happier and more confident.

Oh, and they also note that "women with improved posture become more attractive" and "men with good posture are seen as more successful."

But lest poor-posture havers fear they'll have to lean on this device for life, the docs say it's designed to be worn for approximately four hours per day for the first two to four weeks to ingrain good behavior that will continue once a user takes the zapper off. The wearer should continue to use the device two to three times per week thereafter to maintain posture improvement.

The iPosture will be available online soon for around $99.95. And don't worry, moms. You can still tell your kids to clean behind their ears.

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