Posture Corrective Brace- Beige 22"-46"

I purchased this product several months ago and waited a while to write this review. I am a 57 year old male who has had poor slumping posture virtually my entire life. My wife, a physical therapist assistant for the past 30 years, tried (unsuccessfully) to cause me to be mindful of my posture for decades.I have read the mixed reviews on posture braces over the years. Some say they help. Others say that because they do the work muscles are supposed to do (holding your shoulders down and back), they cause further atrophy of the muscles you are actually trying to strengthen, hence doing more harm than good. My personal experience is that this product has definitely helped my posture, which is still not great, but getting better. I believe the benefit is primarily because my muscles are "learning" what good posture "feels like" and so when I remove the brace, my muscles are attempting to put my posture in place (muscle memory). The brace is not a miracle item. It won't "fix" bad posture immediately when it is not being worn, but it has DEFINITELY helped me when nothing else has for the past 30 years.When I read the review on this product, one person gave it a bad rating because: "it didn't use hook and latch, it used velcro material." The reviewer evidently didn't know that "hook and latch" is the generic name for velcro style fasteners. So, if there is any confusion about the fastening system, it is "velcro".However, the negative reviews I want to speak to are those which say: "this product cut the circulation off in my arms." If worn correctly, this product will not "cut circulation off" ... however, there is a phenomenon that any potential purchaser needs to fully understand if you, like I, have had bad posture for many years. After years of poor posture, specifically a humping of the back with a folding forward of the shoulders, the arteries (Subclavian / Axillary) and corresponding venous systems which traverse the chest before/after going to your arms will actually "shorten". If then, when the shoulders are put back into the position which they belong, this "stretches" the aforementioned arteries/veins and causes a restriction of blood flow. In my case, I could literally just hold my shoulders back (with no brace in place), the arteries on my arms would bulge out and I would literally start losing feeling in my arms. My suspicion is that those who gave this product a bad review because it "cut the blood off to their arms" are probably experiencing this phenomenon. Hence, it is not a problem with the product but a misunderstanding of what is happening physiologically. You can actually do the test before purchasing the product to see if this happens to you. Just have someone hold your shoulders in the proper posture position and see if there is a blood restriction to your arms. If so, it will, no doubt, happen if you use this product. As I said, I had that situation but went ahead and purchased the product and my circulation is continually improving as my circulatory system is responding to my improving posture. It is taking time, but getting better continually.The product is relatively inexpensive ... it does what it is supposed to do ... 5 stars from me ...

Its supposed to be one size, the product comes with instructions to cut the excess length.There was still SO MUCH to cut off.Cutting it is a hassel. Not the cutting part but everything you have to do to it.the fabric is thick, and no matter how carefully I cut it, it looks butchered after. I would need to take it to someone to sew/ craft a border for it, so that it doesn't look so terrible. Its partially visible sometimes, the chopped off part ends up in the front of your shoulders/underarm. If you wear a lose shirt it shows.If you're thinking this is not a product designed to be worn over clothes anyways, socks are meant to be covered by shoes but this doesn't mean we're going to go around rocking broken socks.Then you have to attach the velcro...im not sure if I am expected to sew this on, paste it, or what.But I sure did not want to have to deal with all this crap. I never attached the velcro. I'd try to return it, but would lose twice the amount putting time into a trip to the post office, phone calls with customer service, mail back fees.The product had been lying around my apartment for over a month now.The email reminder to write this review, also reminds me to put the product in the trash.There is another one, its black "ShouldersBack Posture Support"Same crap, you have to cut excess band off, the cut edge looks crappy, and is visible. On the plus side, the velcro is part of the product, so at least after you cut the band to fit, the product is wearable

The idea of buying a posture brace seemed like a potential waste of money. Given that I've been trying to fix my posture and muscle imbalances for almost four years, I finally gave in. Going to the gym, doing the exercises that I found from research on the web and talking to trainers, getting a new mattress and trying to stand up straight made the back pain go away. It wasn't fixing my posture entirely though. Years of road bike racing and working at a computer left me (32) with less than favorable posture and the occasional bulged disc.This thing has proven to be another very good weapon in my arsenal against pain. Since I've started using it, I feel better all around. I've noticed physical improvements along with mood too.It's no walk in the park though. Putting this thing on makes me uncomfortable, which makes me move my shoulders back and down to get mostly comfortable (exactly what it's supposed to do). This makes the posture muscles in my mid back tired... again, exactly what it's supposed to do.I've only had this thing for about three weeks, but I notice improvements after every time I wear it. By the time I take it off, I'm cursing it for being so uncomfortable. The next day, I feel better. It's worth the trade off in my mind.

Overall I thought the product was okay. It does the job, you'll have great posture and your back will be a little sore as you aren't accustomed to correct posture.My only issue (which ended up having a heavy weight in my opinion) was that it is hard to hide it under your clothes. My initial thinking was that I could use this while at work to help me maintain good posture while sitting at a desk (which isn't easy!) The shoulder straps and back portion are a little bulier than they appear in the picture and it looks like you're wearing a thick sports bra (which is bad if your a guy).