Zeraph

Do you have good posture? I'm looking for tips.

When standing my posture isn't too bad. But whenever I sit I almost always slouch. Especially at my computer. I think part of the reason is I'm tall (6'1") and seats don't quite fit how they should. The bigger one though I think is that I feel the need to put my feet up wherever I go (within reason). Like even if I'm sitting at a place where there's no where to put my feet up, my preference is then to sit with my knee (one or both) pulled to my chest. My Dad's theory on this (he likes putting his feet up too, though not the chest thing as he's not as flexible) is bad circulation which he has but I'm not sure I do. That is to say if our body is more level it is easier to pump the blood around.

Anyway I'm getting sidetracked. I'll try to have good posture but I never get it into a habit. I inevitably give up after 5-10 mins. So I was wondering if anyone has any tips (especially people from the military) on how to keep it up. Particularly when sitting.

JStrider

get a stool... theres a crazy expensive one called the swopper that has a spring and is all bouncy and cool... but its too expensive for any normal person...

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Zeraph

That's a thought. Thanks.

Jason762

I too hunch over while I'm sitting.

I'm 6'2" and when I stand up I have good posture, but sitting down I look like freekin Quasimoto (sp?).

I've heard weight lifting (focusing on your shoulders/back) improves your posture, and it has for me, but only while I'm standing.

My whole back isn't an arch though, just the upper part. From my shoulder blades up.

Jimellow

I sit with both my feet up on the corner of my desk, almost in a fetal position, and I put my right arm through my legs to navigate the mouse and type. It works quite well, is comfortable, but posture-wise, I imagine it's not too beneficial.

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stevie667

Weight lifting, specifically deadlifts, will help with posture. By developing the spinal erector muscles (the two muscles that run from your pelvis to your skull beside your spine) you will invariably have a better posture.

In my case people actually notice the difference when i havn't been working out in a while because i start to stoop, when i get back on the weights i 'grow' taller.


As for putting ones knees up, stops blood pooling and eases the hearts workload. Buy the best chair you can, with full lower and upper back support, and arm rests, if you spend alot of time at the computer. I have a chair that tilts back, so it supports my back and stops me slouching when i lean. Plus i can rock on it, which is just so much fun.

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ngdawg

I think just about everyone slouches at their desk if they're not thinking about it. My slouching resulted in neck problems that required weeks of therapy.
Some of the instructions I was told to do included; Raise the monitor so its center is at eye level. Too high, you're looking up. Too low, you hang your head. Chin should be back and up just a little-we tend to jut our heads forward, obliterating the natural curves of our neck.
Every once in a while, get up, stretch and do a few of these exercises to counter the slouch effect:
Place forearms against a doorframe so that your arms form an 'L'(elbows level with the ribcage) -you should be just behind the doorframe, not so far that you have to lean to it. Now, lean into your arms, pulling your shoulderblades together. Hold for 5 seconds, relax, repeat 10 times.
Hold the back of your head with both hands, thumbs at top of the neck, hands edging your ears, chin back. Gently lift up as if you're taking your head off. Hold for 10 seconds. Relax. Repeat. If you can do this one and have someone massage you just below where your hands are, better still.

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thingstodo

These are some great tips. One that I use at home started with one of those excercise balls. It started as a workout item, became neglected and then ended up (long story there) as a chair for my computer.

Man, what a difference. For one thing, you can't slouch - well, I guess you could if you tried. The other thing is that it takes some core to not fall off, especially when you're into something and aren't thinking about how you're sitting. It's also fun to bounce. Sounds like the stool JStrider mentioned only it costs about $30.

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Zeraph

Good tips all. I especially like the weight lifting idea (because I'm likely to forget to stop and do the exercises and stools are uncomfortable.) Hopefully I'll get myself to try them all though. Thanks.

Willravel

The 90 degree angle between the seat and back of a chair is the same if you're 4'5" or 10'1". Use that as a guide. Scootch your butt back up as far as it can go. If you don't normally do this, then expect some discomfort after a bit. Get used to it, and do it the rest of your life. If you have trouble, then try ropes.

If you're looking to strengthen your back, then I suggest getting one of those nifty inflatable exercise balls (a.k.a the Swiss Ball). Rest stomach down on the ball and go nuts. Check out these videos.