Posture based exercises have been around for a while but have recently come into focus as people are increasingly working from home.

Posture workouts are exercises that focus on improving posture, alignment, and balance. These workouts typically focus on strengthening the muscles that support the spine, neck, shoulders, and hips, that are tight or overactive.

Exercising for “posture” has been around for a few years now. These ideas are based on several assumptions and misconceptions that have build along the years. A lot of exercise professionals and fitness enthusiasts have continued sticking to the initial hypothesis by a scientist named Kendall in 1952, who had coined the “Good/Bad posture” concept from a poorly designed study.

What any exercise potentially does is gets people moving from one posture(so called bad) to another posture(so called good). Note that no posture is inherently Good or Bad in general for everyone. Overtime we observe that, through exercise, someone has managed to now change their posture. Posture can be altered with time due to repeated exposure and eventually getting habituated to specific positions. This can also be achieved with non-exercise activities like being mindful about your day to day
joint positions.

Before starting any posture workouts or exercise program, it is important to consult with a healthcare provider, start slowly, use proper form and technique, listen to your body, and stay hydrated. Consult with a healthcare provider, especially if you have any pre-existing health conditions or injuries. Starting slowly and gradually increasing the intensity and duration of your workouts can help prevent injury and reduce the risk of muscle soreness. Using proper form and technique is essential to getting the most out of your workouts and reducing the risk of injury. Pay attention to how your body feels during and after your workouts and stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.

Read the full story that first appeared in Deccan Chronicle dated March 21, 2023 here: