Earlier this year, I suffered the absolute indignity of throwing my back out. I wasn’t even moving heavy furniture or contorting my body into some crazy position when it happened. Instead, one tiny spasm while shampooing my hair was enough to pinch a nerve in my lower back and bring me to my literal knees, crying out for an airlift evac from my horrified wife. After nearly 72 hours completely horizontal, a quick trip to the chiropractor revealed the culprit: Bad posture.
It’s not surprising, given I spend the majority of my day hunched over my computer and the rest of it staring down at my phone, plus after losing 150 lb after bariatric surgery, my new body never quite aligned properly. My physical therapy rehab has been primarily focused on core strengthening exercises to help with mobility, but I found staying in form for them difficult—until I tried the posture-correcting Power+ Bra from Forme.
| Sizes | XS-3XL |
| Colors | 7 options |
The Forme Power Bra is a science-backed and FDA-registered posture-correcting bra that claims to be capable of immediately improving your upper body’s alignment, but fans of Taylor Swift will likely recognize this chic-looking sports bra from its prominent appearance during Eras Tour rehearsals. Having recently watched the Eras Tour documentary (in which the pop star’s workout regimen was regularly featured), I knew I wanted to try it for myself and see if it could actually help me correct my posture and rid myself of back pain for good. Here’s what happened.
How I tested
Although I had big plans for testing the Forme Power Bra when I received it early in the year, I was derailed by my back pain. So, over the last two months, I have primarily worn the Forme Power Bra during my physical therapy sessions, which I complete three times a week. I also tried it for an eight-hour work day while working from home, as well as on a long-distance walk to see how it fared with different activities.
How it works
According to the brand, its “intelligent construct” is comprised of six tension fabrics and 10 double-layered posture panels to “help build lasting muscle memory to support better posture, deeper breathing, and faster recovery over time.” This muscle memory is only possible with constant reminders and constant use. The proprietary tension fabric is not quite the buttery soft fabric of my favorite athleisure, but still offers significant stretch. It is noticeable both aesthetically—the outer layer is whatever color you order (in my case, Rose, a light pink), but the inside is a significantly less stretchy material. Functionally, this is obviously what is supporting my shoulder blades.
The back is also a completely different fabric: a cooling mesh, that helped with breathability and wicked away sweat during workouts, which is cinched together with the shoulder guiding stiffer fabric.
The fit
In general, I have a hard time wearing sports bras due to my wide ribs and small bust size. Typically, a small will squeeze my ribs too much, but a medium leaves me with not enough support for a high-intensity workout. However, due to the high compression in the Forme bra, I did not have this problem. I followed the sizing chart’s suggestion for a 34A and chose a Medium, which ended up being the perfect combination of support and comfort.
As someone who does not typically work out in just a sports bra, I was surprised at how much I liked the look of this one. It offers ample coverage, especially in the back, where it came down relatively low (more like a longline bra than a traditional sports bra), which added to its support. The straps are thick and the shape created a small bit of cleavage I had never experienced before. Because I barely have any chest, I found this to be a fun addition, but I am not sure how someone with a larger bust would feel, despite sizing going up to a 3XL.
Due to previous reviews, Forme has made some significant upgrades to its Power Bra—namely, wider armholes as well as new removable cups (the only cons our previous editors complained about!). I found the wide arm holes to be extremely helpful in getting in and out of the bra, as the compression is pretty tight.
Front view of the Forme Power+ Bra
Back view of the Forme Power+ Bra
The feel
Although it did feel a little tight and felt constricting upon first wear, after a few minutes my body was able to get used to the new sensation of having my shoulders gently pulled back. I was afraid it would be uncomfortable to wear during a workout (full disclosure, I took it off immediately upon first wear because of the unsettling sensation), but it actually made my workouts so much easier.
Because going into an office three times a week can be disruptive to my schedule, I often do virtual PT from home with sensors that help record my form, so my doctor can keep track of my progress, even when we are not face to face (technology, man!). During my previous sessions, the tablet would frequently ding me for slumping out of adjustment and sagging into bad, particularly during more difficult exercises. With the Forme posture-correcting bra, I had no such issue. Even during my most strenuous exercises, I felt my shoulders were pulled back and my back was straighter. You can see during my wall sit squats that my alignment is pretty perfect with my head stacked over my shoulders, chest lifted, shoulders stacked over hips, and no leading with or any undue strain in my neck.
This is as low as I can get right now!
I never felt like I was being forced into an uncomfortable position, either. Just gently being reminded to keep proper alignment while doing my workouts. In fact, the only time I was truly uncomfortable while wearing this bra was when my shoulders started to slump.
The performance
On the days I wore the Forme posture-correcting bra, I received the highest marks on my training sessions. It took me a while to figure out if I was just more conscious of my form on those days, or if the bra was actually helping. But after looking at the pictures of my last session, I was shocked to realize that on the days when I wore the Forme bra, my core was actively more engaged. By forcing my body into better alignment, I found it easier to engage my core, as well as take deeper breaths so I could better manage my training. I finished my exercises feeling less fatigued while wearing this bra and never felt like I was risking re-injuring my back or feeling additional pain.
Core? Engaged.
Even on the day I worked from home while wearing it, I was comfortable and noticed myself slouching less. However, while I had no discomfort during the eight-hour wear, the next day, I definitely felt soreness and aching in my shoulders.
What I liked
I was really surprised at how much I enjoyed the look of this bra. The longline design is super flattering. Even though I would likely not wear it solo in a public gym or workout class, I felt a rush of confidence while looking in the mirror in my own home. I was afraid the rose color would be too similar to my skin tone (Taylor Swift wears a classic black and I initially regretted that I didn’t choose that option), but it was really pretty! Plus, with my wife cheering me on from the sidelines, I almost felt like a pop star myself at times.
More than just the look, I really believe this posture-correcting bra serves its purpose. Is my posture better overall because of this bra? Yes. Although I felt its posture-correcting was limited to my workout, combined with my core strengthening exercises, my muscle memory is absolutely improving my alignment. More so, though, my back pain has pretty much been eliminated since this dual-pronged training/apparel approach was implemented.
What I didn’t like
This piece of workout gear is expensive, but that really is what it is: gear. Compared to other posture-correcting devices or physical therapy devices, it’s relatively affordable. In fact, it’s totally comparable to our contributing writer’s favorite Chirp Halo.
I also don’t know that I would wear it during a work day again. While it was helpful to remind me to sit up straight while being at the computer, it wasn’t particularly conducive to reaching around my desk. Since my core strength is getting better, I do find that I am slouching less during the work day—that muscle memory finally in practice—so, I don’t particularly find the need. And full disclosure, I’d prefer no bra at all on a work-from-home day to maximize comfort.
One last thing
There is a “strong link between poor posture and back pain,” Melissa Prestipino, P.T., D.P.T., licensed physical therapist and owner of Maize & Blue Rehab in Sparta, NJ, previously explained to Prevention. And it is a lesson that I had to learn the hard way. By working out with the Forme Power Bra, I have made ample strides in correcting my posture and reducing back pain. But Prestipino warned that this is the only way to gain lasting effects. “If users rely solely on the corrector without actively working on strengthening their muscles and improving awareness of posture, they may not achieve lasting improvements.”
Honestly, if you are willing to commit to strengthening, I think the Forme Power Bra can be a huge help—not just to correct your posture within the workout, but also for the long term. Plus, the confidence boost I gained while wearing it was immeasurable. I felt taller, my form was significantly better, and I completed my workouts with less effort. I might not be able to perform a three-and-a-half-hour-long dance show in sparkly boots, but while wearing this bra I almost felt like I could.
Bottom line: If you are looking for a Taylor Swift-approved sports bra to help you improve your form, alignment, and confidence while working out, this bra is a solid investment.
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