Real or psychological back support?
Back-A-Line Back Support Belt is put to the test.
The Back-A-Line is not an elastic “kidney belt,” but a genuine back support. It is patented, and the maker claims that it has been scientifically shown to encourage healthy posture. It is reasonably comfortable and can aid in reducing back discomfort. However, some pants may have a difficult time fitting under the relatively thick design.
I was initially introduced to the Back-A-Line belt by a riding buddy. Before each trip, I would see him put it on, and he would always say that it “saved his back.” He claimed that with its race crouch riding posture, the Suzuki TL-R was the only motorcycle he could ride. I had assumed that only cruiser cyclists utilized back so it was news to me that a product like this could help the sportbike crowd.
I had tried various types of elastic “kidney belts” in the past, but never really noticed that they did anything. I’m a victim of what seems to be regularly scheduled back pain, I think due more to my (ahem) “weak” stomach muscles than from any over strenuous lifting. So I became intrigued, and figured I should give the Back-A-Line a try.supports.
The Back-A-Line “Kidney” Belt
A few patents have been obtained for the Back-A-Line belt due to its distinctiveness. Given that it differs significantly from other wearable back supports, this product’s design has undoubtedly been given some study. The main piece is roughly 20cm tall (8′′) and 33cm (13′′) wide, and it fits snugly against the lower back. It is fashioned from a highly sturdy backing material of some sort.
In order to fit around the spine while also offering relief so that the material doesn’t press on the spine itself, the middle piece is curved, tapered, and recessed (see photo left).
The belt is a fine item that is expertly constructed from premium materials. Someone has taken great care, as evidenced by the flawlessly straight stitching and borders that surround it.of care in its design and manufacture. It’s also very light, at 245g (8-5/8 oz.). The belt portion of the Back-A-Line consists of two overlapping sections.
A continuous, wide belt measuring around 10 cm (4 in.) wide and 120 cm (47 in.) long extends from behind the primary back support. Another belt that is 5 cm (2′′) broad and placed over the stomach doubles as the top of the bigger belt.
Back-A-Line Belt usage
You must first wrap the wide belt over your tummy in order to wear the Back-A-Line. A long, wide strip of Velcro fastener holds it in place. You next take the smaller nylon web belt and wrap it around your stomach from right to left and under a metal loop before bringing it back across and securing it with more Velcro.
The method is depicted in the series of images below; trust me, it’s simpler to do than to say! The belt features a beautiful, soft, felt-like lining and comes in a variety of lengths to fit waists from 23 to 48 inches. According to Back-A-Line, Inc., it can be worn over or under garments. Mine are used underneath riding pants but over underwear.
Wear a Back-A-Line belt underneath.
It fits extremely well under the majority of riding trousers with elastic flex panels, however it is around 19mm (3/4′′) thick, so you might have a tight fit under some pants.
I wear the Back-A-Line underneath the cozy Tourmaster GX pants (picture on left), which have enormous, broad, elastic stretch panels, and I barely The first time I wore the Back-A-Line, it felt a bit stiff, and I wondered if I’d be able to get used to it, especially since I’ve never worn a back support before.ever notice it’s there.
But a funny thing happened: by the time I prepared my bike and started riding, I had completely forgotten about it. In fact, I hadn’t even noticed that I was wearing it until I got home from the ride and took off my riding gear.
My illogical explanation for this is that after break-in, the support will “mold” to your unique contours.
However, Back-A-Line, Inc. responded to my inquiry about this with a more scientific explanation. This is basically what they said:
It’s actually a little different from how lumbar pads “mold” to the wearer’s back, which is why it works. The contour of the lumbar pad is “fixed.” Instead of it moving to you, you move (or “mold”) to it.
On a subconscious level, the spine will alter its shape to conform to and press against the pad since muscles love to press against firm surfaces (such as putting your back against a wall, receiving acupressure, or receiving shiatsu massage).
Why? All the motivation the muscles require is that it feels wonderful! The pad’s slight curve causes the spine to unconsciously enter “lumbar lordosis.”
It does the least amount of tissue stretching there while yet engaging the muscles (which is the reason for back fatigue). The Back-A-Line support surely feels more comfortable after a few minutes of wearing it, to sum it up!
Conclusion
Can the Back-A-Line help with back pain prevention? According to Back-A-Line, Inc., using the support will assist you always have appropriate posture, which helps prevent back problems. Several endorsements that are published on the Back-A-Line, Inc. website support this assertion.
According to studies, back discomfort can be lessened by pressing a firm, curved surface against the back muscles. The American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine has only ever awarded its Seal of Acceptance to this one product.Since many motorcycles force the rider into riding positions that are unlike anything else encountered during non-riding activities, there is a real potential for back pain. This may be why motorcyclists seem to always be experimenting with various types of back supports.
If you’re a long distance rider or you’ve experienced back pain during or after a ride, the Back-A-Line may be for you. I notice a real difference when I wear mine — almost like I feel “refreshed” when I finish a ride.
Marakym Posture Corrector Review
For some people, spending all day in front of a computer is important, but it may also lead to negative behaviors like slouching that only get worse over time. I have experience with this issue because I work a desk job; in fact, it was this issue that made me discover the Marakym Posture Corrector. The best-selling item guaranteed to reduce my back pain and retrain my shoulders to sit straight. But could the clavicle brace really aid in my posture correction? Find out by reading on.
Figure-eight pattern in the design
I had read about back braces masquerading as posture correctors, and I knew it wasn’t what I wanted. I knew I needed something I felt at ease wearing in front of people because I work at a desk and spend a lot of my day outside, whether I’m walking my dog or having face-to-face meetings. The little Marakym Posture Corrector worked well for the most part.
The brace’s manufacturer advises wearing it over clothing, however due to my lifestyle, I occasionally layered it below (for instance, when having coffee in public) and had no problems. Of course, using a posture corrector during the tank top season is difficult, but the Marakym Posture Corrector is comfortable to wear. under blouses and jackets. The adjustable straps and figure-eight design made it easy to put on by myself, and the corrector had enough tension (when fully tightened) to keep my shoulders pulled back for the full length of the wear.
Despite this, it is still far better than some of the bigger, full-back choices because it is simple to conceal in the majority of outfits and settings.
Regular travelers will appreciate the carrying bag that comes with the Marakym Posture Corrector. Additionally, it comes with 10 strips of kinesiology tape to help with any sore muscles. (As a runner, I discovered that the tape worked best on my calves.)
Materials: A plush, cozy design
Neoprene, which is durable yet breathable and is used to make the Marakym Posture Corrector, is soft to the touch and comfortable enough to wear all day. The brace’s padded straps are especially helpful under the armpits, but I noticed that they occasionally became irritable and uncomfortable.
After the first wear, the fit is comfortable.
The Marakym is available in a single size that may accommodate chest sizes ranging from 28 to 48 inches. Both men and women can use it. Despite the one-size-fits-all guarantee, it was difficult for me to get the Marakym to fit snugly and comfortably because of my smaller build. (It’s important to note that you should exercise caution to avoid overtightening, as the firm cautions that doing so may result in excessive stress.) The brace fit slightly better when my mom, who is a size larger than me, tried it as well, although she did complain that the shoulders weren’t snug enough.
I struggled to get used to the fit on the first day I wore it. This suggests that it was effective since I could feel my shoulders rising organically from the floor. Marakym advises beginning with merely 15 to 20 minutes of posture corrector use each day and gradually increasing it by 20 minutes every day after that.
I did notice that it began to irritate my muscles when I tried to wear it for more than 30 to 40 minutes. And unlike some of its rivals, the Marakym Posture Corrector ended up pulling my shoulders back while slightly digging into my armpits.I persisted with the 30- to 40-minute intervals, and after a week, I was accustomed to it. In fact, while taking my dog for a walk around the neighborhood, I almost forgot I was wearing it. Remember that wearing it while exercising, eating, or sleeping could impair your blood circulation, according to the manufacturer’s website.
An affordable option for correcting posture.
This posture corrector, which costs about $20, is a cheap yet efficient approach to retrain shoulders that are prone to slouching. The Marakym is a great purchase for individuals looking to improve poor posture without going over budget because it is substantially less expensive than, example, a chiropractor.
Comparing the posture correctors Marakym and Evoke Pro A300
The figure-eight design, fit, and materials of the Evoke Pro A300 and the Marakym Posture Corrector are comparable. In fact, they appear to be nearly identical at first glance. However, they aren’t. I found that the Evoke Pro posture corrector was the best after using each one for a week straight. This is why:
Although the Marakym Posture Corrector has a similar design that gradually re-trains shoulders to sit erect, I discovered that even after just a few minutes, my shoulders might still slump forward. But for some reason, when wearing the Evoke Pro Upper Back Brace Posture Corrector, my shoulders remained straight and back. Later, I realized that my shoulders also maintained that erect posture.
In terms of cost, the Marakym Posture Corrector does well. The Evoke Pro costs about $30 compared to the Marakym Posture Correct’s $20 price, but after using both, I can attest that the Evoke Pro is definitely worth the $10 premium.
