How do you maintain a good posture?

JazzJazzy

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Chances are, if you're making a living of IM, you have a bad posture. It feels so uncomfortable for me to sit up "straight". Do you guys have any tips? I just started sitting on an exercise ball.
 
Working out on the side helps. Whenever I'm in shape I naturally stuff my chest and flex my back wherever I go.
 
Frequent stretching is key. Sitting creates muscular imbalances in body. So it's important to condition these muscles regularly to avoid easy strains and pulls in future.
 
Chances are, if you're making a living of IM, you have a bad posture. It feels so uncomfortable for me to sit up "straight". Do you guys have any tips? I just started sitting on an exercise ball.
Good posture is for mere mortals :p
 
I had piss poor Dr. Doofenschmirtz posture for a few years due to slouching at the computer too much.
photo.jpg

Okay, it wasn't that bad, but my posture still wasn't all that great.

I got fed up with it after a while and decided to start improving my posture. All I really did was the following:
  • I started sitting up straight whenever I sat down (while driving, using the computer, or just sitting). If I caught myself slouching, I would simply sit up straight again.
  • I did the wall-stand exercise. http://mikeluque.training/physical-fitness/wall-stand-exercise/
  • I started stretching my neck muscles before bed
  • I avoided putting unnecessary strain on my shoulders that would cause my head to "move forward".
I started doing this a couple of years ago and my posture is much more proper than it was (I've even been complimented on it a few times). Actually, I'd argue that my posture is as good as it should be.
 
I employ freelancers to stand behind me and pull my back up straight with tiny ropes.
 
"Freelancers" haha more like "slaves"

I throw them a bone on occasion to keep their hope alive. Then I remind them how easily replaced they are to keep their opinion of themselves at the lowest level.
 
Abs, abs abs! You have to work hard on your abdominal muscles, they sustain all your posture. I can swear you don't have abs, don't you ?

Search this tipe of training on G. : Plank
This might be a good start
 
Look up the Ted Talk called "Finding your primal posture."
 
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Abs, abs abs! You have to work hard on your abdominal muscles, they sustain all your posture. I can swear you don't have abs, don't you ?

Search this tipe of training on G. : Plank
This might be a good start

Agree. I never do conventional floor situps but I do weighted abs. Which builds out the muscle on your stomach and makes it hard to slouch over.

However (and this is a big however)... I also do "reverse" situps where you lean forward in that machine, hold weights in each hand then pull my whole upper body up (lower back). That's always been my least favorite exercise at the gym. But everytime I finish up and leave I walk slouching BACKWARDS. Just because those lower back muscles are so tight it hurts to bend forward.

Overall I'd say it's 50% abs / 50% lower back. My brother does a similar routine and has great posture. And if you think about it, working those 2 muscle groups is like putting a huge squat belt / brace around your lower back. Anyone who's worn those belts knows it's impossible to slouch forward. So by building those muscles your building natures version of that belt.

Too bad 90% of people don't work out and wouldn't be found dead in a gym. :)
 
Frequent stretching is key. Sitting creates muscular imbalances in body. So it's important to condition these muscles regularly to avoid easy strains and pulls in future.

Agreed. Stretching is key. Such an annoyance, but key. If you do a full stretching routine - and actually stretch every muscle, not just the easy ones - then good posture comes easily.
 
Abs, abs abs! You have to work hard on your abdominal muscles, they sustain all your posture. I can swear you don't have abs, don't you ?

Search this tipe of training on G. : Plank
This might be a good start

Lol, I'm shredded bra. Still have shit posture from spending all my life online tho.
 
If anyones suffering from shoulders pointing too much forward I would recommend training your back muscles and stretch your chest with a wall.

I find this thread extremely important as back pain is a problem in every cubicle. Some people get slouching shoulders and back like pink panther and some get arch in the back like a donald duck.

I want to enlighten the donald duck version a bit.

Here is a psoas muscle. Also known as iliopsoas. It's the main reason for donald duck syndrom (Lordosis by the real name).

Tight-Psoas-back-pain.jpg


You can either stretch this muscle or go to masseur.

Here are two ways to stretch it:

low_lunge.jpg


or

Iliopsoas-Stretch-2.gif

In a table. You can also put your legs down in the end of the table.


Also strengthening your ass and abdominals. Especially lower abs can help you recover faster. Avoid strengthening your lower back and quads.

When in doubt see a physio, masseur or doctor for a close look on the vertebrae discs.
 
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