Upright Go S put to the test: Posture trainer keeps what it promises
RRP $ 59.95
"The Upright Go S is an intelligent posture trainer that gently reminds you to sit up straight when you start to crouch."
benefits
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Super small
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Glue works surprisingly well
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Warns you firmly but gently
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Does its job so you don't laze around
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Easy to use discreetly
disadvantage
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Additional adhesives cost about $ 1 each
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Battery life is short
It's not the same as running five miles or lifting weights, but anyone who spends the majority of the day at a desk, working from home or in the office, knows that it can be physically demanding too – and not in a good way. This afternoon, the slenderness and sagging that comes from hovering over a keyboard can not only make you hunchbacked on a daily basis, but it can also cause more permanent problems. The problem is, most of us don't even realize we're leaning, so how could we possibly stop it? The answer is Upright Go S.
What is Upright Go S?
Simply put, the Upright Go S is an ergonomic device known as a posture trainer, made from a small thumb-sized plastic bean that either sticks to your back (with body-friendly adhesive) or hangs over your back (with an optional lanyard). With sensors that sense its position and orientation, it emits gentle vibrations as you begin to lean; an attentive nudge that you carry. A companion app provides feedback on your progress.
Upright Go S is the smallest and smartest posture trainer on the market.
Warnings and options
With the Upright Go S, you must first calibrate the device so that it knows what is straight and bent for you. You can set your posture or lying area from level 1 (relaxed) to level 6 (strict). You can set a posture notification delay of five seconds, 15, 30, or up to a minute. The delay is actually smart because if you bend down to get something about the 5 second delay option, for example, you will get a buzzing warning. The best delay in my testing experience was 15 seconds; long enough that every bar or armrest didn't get a nudge, but short enough that I didn't feel comfortable in a stooped position.
You can adjust the vibration options between gentle, medium, and strong.
What it's like to use Upright Go S.
Like many of you who have read this, I thought my posture was okay and assumed this was going to be an easy day for wearing the Go S. It turned out that my posture wasn't as rigid as I would have liked, and on my first day I only scored 50% on the straight vs. slouch scale. Additionally, I definitely felt like I did some light ab workout using my core to touch down. After a few hours I called Uncle and put it away for the day.
My next round of Upright Go S was better because I knew what to expect; I was able to sit properly in my chair without so much effort to stay straight and increase my score.
Attaching the pod to my back with glue was easy (although my husband told me it was a little crooked) and the glue was strong to hold and didn't hurt at all to remove. It was pretty easy to forget I was wearing the Go S … unless I slipped together.
In short, the Upright Go S is comfortable to wear and seemed to do exactly what it promises: Let me know when I'm slouching.
View statistics
On the Statistics tab of the Upright app, you can view your progress on a day-to-day basis. On my first day of use, I ended up with a score of only 50%. This meant that I slouched and received memories half the time I wore the capsule, while essentially staying upright the other half of the time. Upright wants you to wear the device for at least 60 minutes a day and you will get small virtual high fives if you can. I was better prepared for my next outing and I'm not afraid to say I got a perfect score.
The statistics are easy to read and understand, and give a clear indication of how well you are doing as you strive for the improvements that you strive for.
You can also compare your posture to the healthy area averages and see your progress over time.
Battery life and charging
According to the company, the Upright Go S should last around 20 hours or 2.5 days. It has to go into some sort of sleep mode when put to bed in its case and I can't remember whether I actually turned it off or not since I used it on the first day and then put it aside for several days and it was still working on day 5.
The battery life is visible in the app. When it's time to recharge, just plug in the USB-C cable and you should be full again in about three hours, which was my testing.
Adhesive application
At first I wasn't so sure about using adhesives. I figured that after my supply ran out, I would find it difficult to want to pay more. It turns out the company makes reordering pretty easy, as you can order new ones in the app for about a dollar a pop. They're definitely reusable, although unsurprisingly the glue is the stickiest when you first use them and less when you wear them later.
Upright says you should get around 10 uses per pad depending on your skin type, sweat, and how often you tape it on and off, so I found that pretty reasonable. In my testing, I'd say I got my 10 uses, and by keeping it clean and tucking the Go S in its case, I was actually able to add multiple uses to it.
The other option is the extra lanyard or necklace as the company calls it. It's made of silicone and magnetic, costs $ 19.95, and has a USB port that you can attach the Go S to. After that, you just let it hang on your back. It's a cool option if you don't want to mess with glue.
Our opinion
Upright Go S impressed me surprisingly. At first I really thought this was a stupid gimmick, but after wearing it for a week I can say that it definitely changed not only my actual posture but also how aware I am of how I sit or stand. The device is compact and, unlike many of these belts and holsters, you can easily carry it without anyone else being the cleverer. The Go S is billed as the budget version, but to me it didn't feel like I missed any features (although I'm curious what the Go 2 model would add to an already solid package). .
Is there a better alternative?
Other options when browsing for posture training equipment are suspenders and halters, belts, or vests. In terms of another smart, connected posture correction device that is easy to hide, Upright Go appears to be dominating the market.
How long it will take?
The Go S is made of plastic and has a rechargeable battery. Although it feels stable enough in my hand and on my back, I would be interested to know what happens if it falls and how long the battery life is. But as far as I can tell it looks solidly built.
Should you buy it?
Yes. In general, it seems almost too good to be true for a product to meet all of the criteria, but in this case Upright Go S isn't a dream. It's the real deal. I can definitely recommend the Upright Go S. It works absolutely as advertised and keeps me upright and upright.
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