According to a new survey, 85% of us believe good posture makes a person immediately more attractive. The poll questioned over 2000 Brits, of all ages, about their attitude towards posture and shape wear.
Whilst just half of respondents said they wear shape wear, a whopping 80% said they would regularly wear it if the garments were designed to improve posture. The results show that posture is top of the wish list for the majority of people, with two-thirds admitting that they make a conscious effort to maintain and improve their own posture.
Jonathan Worthy, co founder & sales director of Pelham and Strutt, which commissioned the research, says: “We have known for a long time that posture is a growing consideration for people owing to the health benefits later in life, however this study also shows that people believe it has a significant impact on a person’s attractiveness.”
Pelham & Strutt is a new British fashion brand specialising in shape and compression wear and has launched Britain’s first ever posture-perfecting underwear, which is designed to be worn every day.
Beginning at the core, the unique zonal mapping technology in Pelham and Strutt’s collection provides posture support and spinal alignment, as well as the slimming and smoothing benefits associated with more traditional shape wear garments.
Mr Worthy adds: “We wanted to create a shape wear collection that combined all of these technical attributes with soft, luxurious, seamless fabrics which would be naturally considered a part of anyone’s daily wardrobe. Until now, compression wear manufacturers and major lingerie makers haven’t manage to produce a garment that both highly functional and fashionable.”
The products work through the distinctive Y shape mapping on the back of the garments, which cross the Latissimus Dorsi muscle at the back of the shoulder and the muscles between the shoulder blade and upper spine. These muscles are all important in helping to brace the shoulders back and maintain a good upper spinal posture as good posture is in this part of the spine. This mapping helps to off load the muscles that connect the neck to the point of the shoulders, which so often become tense and a subsequent source of pain. Support like this helps us to resist the tendency to become round shouldered. Encouraging these muscles to support the back effectively helps to reduce the chance of developing neck, shoulder and upper back pain.
There is no doubt that improving upper back posture will influence the positioning and posture lower down the spine. Linking the postural encouragement in the upper spine through the Y shaped compression in the vest, with the compression across the lower abdomen to encourage contraction in the lower abdominals is likely to be beneficial for back pain sufferers. Also, feedback from a back sufferer wearing the vest to exercise in was that it helped to reduce post exercise stiffness.
There are built in zones around the stomach areas, which helps support the core, also enhancing posture. Compression across the core area helps give biofeedback to these muscles to encourage them to work.
There are other compression garments around, but nothing that effectively and accurately engages the important muscle areas like this garment.
To put it to the test, we worked with Zac Lydon, fitness model and sports scientist. There is nobody better to test the true benefits of the garment.
Feedback from Zac proved very positive; “Back pain affects my workouts and, as a fitness model, is definitely a somewhat annoying and simultaneously limiting factor in my training routine and physique progression.
A few weeks back I was sent out two upper body garments from Pelham and Strutt’s CORE range of clothing. Once on, it hugs very tightly and feels great on the skin. More importantly, as well as being sleek and aesthetically designed, it provides support in the zones that matter. The products provide superb lumbar support, and promotes a better should position; as a result of hours spent lifting heavy weights, I have a kyphotic posture (rounded shoulders) – the Pelham and Strutt tops help to pull my shoulders into a more natural position. As an added bonus, I look slightly less like a Neanderthal and more like a human being.
As well as terrible posture, I also suffer from a lumbar herniation. As a result, I’m limited to performing non weight-bearing cardiovascular exercise, such as exercise bikes and cross trainers; treadmills are a no-go. On an average day, I’m able to perform around 5km on the cross-trainer before succumbing to back pain. I can honestly say that on the first occasion wearing the Pelham and Strutt Core vest, I managed 8km relatively pain-free. As a result, I now wear the garments every time I perform cardio and have since found that it wasn’t a one-off; I can stay on the cross-training for around 30% longer without stopping due to back pain. A worthy, functional addition to most wardrobes.” – Zac Lyndon BSc MSCST RCCP
Whatever the activity, Pelham and Strutt has a range of intelligent underwear that will not let you now. Whether it’s the rugby field or poker table, our cutting edge compression seamless underwear keeps you at the top of your game from dawn till dusk.
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