Upright – GO 2™ Posture Trainer – White

This Upright GO 2 is dead-simple for those of you looking for a smart device that will assist you in breaking (or at least curbing) that nagging slouching habit you picked up somewhere along the way. And in that capacity, it does the tings you’d pretty much expect something like this device to do once you put it on your back: it vibrates like a tiny cell phone when it senses you’ve slouched during an awareness/consciousness-raising training session; it vibrates whenever you exceed maximum “slouchyness” for as long as you want to keep it turned on and affixed to your skin; or you can let it silently track your posture and then report back later via app how poorly you really carried yourself throughout the day. Naturally, you can mix and match these functions for personalized training and results, but that’s pretty much the extent of things. It’s definitely well-designed and user-friendly for what it needs to do, but the GO2 per se really isn’t all that mystical in its function or operation.
There are no scary electrodes or complicated muscle sensors involved with this trainer–it doesn’t care about your body type, weight, or anything about your skeletal structure. In fact, the GO2 doesn’t really start off knowing what the “correct” upright posture looks like for you at all. At its heart, it’s basically just a Bluetooth-enabled tilt sensor that you zero out at the start of each session/use Then it measures the extent of your movement forward (ONLY!) off the vertical axis…side-slouchers are out of luck, and if you slouch down in your chair or throw yourself WAAAAYYY backwards, the GO2 doesn’t seem to care, either. That’s not to say it doesn’t work–curl/slouch yourself forward from the spot you initially zeroed out and the GO2 will obligingly vibrate (or report a slouch later in the app) after you exceed so many degrees of poor posture after so many seconds have passed. You can customize the physical “slouch threshold” angle and duration in the app, or choose one of three presets that allow progressively more slouch for progressively longer periods of time before setting off the alert: Stationary (extended sitting/standing), Standard (mild movement/activity), and Active (lots of movement). Assuming you’ve actually set a proper “upright” position to start things off (a mirror or partner can help if you’re a poor judge of your own posture even when you ARE trying to straighten out), the GO2 really does do a good job of sensing when you’re slouching. In fact, you’ll probably be surprised how often you unnecessarily slouch (or you’ll become irritated at how often the buzzer confirms that you do indeed have poor posture!)–and the latest firmware improves the sensing routines to accommodate things like stopping to tie your shoe or picking up a box from the floor without setting off the slouch alert/vibration.
From a design side, the flattened bean-shaped GO2 sensor is smooth to the touch with a single indentation marking the “everything button” that controls power, adjusts the operating mode, manual upright calibration etc. The backside has a soft-gel, semi-reusable adhesive similar to that on the underside of a TENS unit’s electrode. I found mine sticky enough to stay in place all day at office-worker type activity levels; and the stick-um didn’t really start to lose adhesion until after about 10-12 days. The package comes with some new adhesives and a guitar-pick shaped scraper to remove the old backing and apply a fresh one. Yes, the adhesive gel snagged a few body hairs on the way off from time to time, but it’s not even as aggressive as a Band-Aid, so those of you with lots of body hair probably need not worry. Between uses, the included magnetic case securely holds the GO2 bean in place while accommodating charging via the USB-C port through a thoughtfully provided cutout via the included USB-C cable…personally, I find this little design touch a VERY nice upgrade from the typical, breakage-prone micro-USB connectors featured on so many smart devices these days.
Pairing with my iPhone X was simple and took all of a few seconds. The app gives you a user-friendly means of assessing your posture (graphically), changing preferences and device settings including vibration patterns and strength, tracking your progress, giving you little encouraging pop-up messages, reminders, and alerts, etc. And while I grimaced at yet another product’s companion app that required me to create a login and password, hats-off to Upright for making it such that you actually don’t HAVE to use the companion app to still use the underlying product! Yes, you can adjust posture settings and operating modes of the GO2 bean using the physical “everything button” and still get all the slouch alert vibrations you can tolerate. In sum…the GO2 is actually a very effective, very thorough, very thoughtfully designed, and very accessible package…for as long as you choose to use it.
And that’s the only rub I see with a product like this. If you have poor posture like I do (and if you don’t, why are you here?), the short, app-provided training sessions alone maybe aren’t going to cut it. Personally, I’m trying to unlearn decades of poor posture, so simply telling me I slouched for XXX minutes today isn’t necessarily effective for changing behavior. To break a habit, I need the GO2’s vibrations to help me recognize the problem as it occurs so I can correct it on the spot–like a Pavlovian dog when it hears a bell. But once that mid- to end-of-day work fatigue sets in, I typically get annoyed with the frequent vibrations, or constantly having to adjust between active and stationary modes, and end up switching to tracking mode (which is frankly too depressing for me to keep reviewing) or just turning the GO2 off entirely. Mind you, I’m not faulting the GO2–it’s doing EXACTLY what I need it to do and EXACTLY what it’s designed to do–this is all me and my horrible, horrible posture! I just didn’t realize up front what a tough nut poor posture was going to be to crack and how much will-power, determination, and tolerance it was going to require on my part to make things a success.
Yeah, I’m glad I have the GO2 even though I’m often irritated by it doing what I’ve asked it to do. But, if YOU respond well to tracking/training apps, and that increased sense of self-awareness can help you change and regulate your own behavior accordingly, the GO2 is likely the fix you’re going to need for periodic, short-term posture training and re-training. If you require more constant correction and conditioning (as unfortunately I do), just be aware that you may have to overcome some self-inflicted annoyance and “user fatigue” in addition to the poor posture you’re trying to tackle at the same time! Recommended…so long as you know what you’re getting into.

The idea of this product is to remind you when one is slouching.
I work at an office and I noticed that I might be sitting in unhealthy positions. (ie slouching).
It’s not pleasant, and it affects the spine over time.
How this works:
There is a small device that has to be stuck on your back, and connects over Bluetooth to your phone.
There are two modes of operation:
1. Training mode vibrates on the device on your back *every*time* you slouch, even when picking up things or leaning to look at something. This gets old quick, so it’s best to use for a few minutes a day.
2. The normal mode of operation communicates with your phone and after a few minutes it will remind you on your phone to correct the posture.
Device:
It’s fairly small but still noticeable. Attach it right below your neck, on your back on or around your spine.
It comes with a pack of 10 reusable adhesives. The adhesives are like a gel that attaches gently but firmly, although it’s best to use indoors. Each adhesive can be used multiple times, depending on skin (ie oily skin or sweat).
It’s easy to peel and doesn’t pull hairs (like a bandage would). It’s a lot gentler than that.
It charges using an USB-C connector (USB-A to USB-C cable included), although it does not charge at USB-C. Charge is rather slow and initial charge takes a few hours.
It has a single pressure-sensitive button (not an actual button but an indentation that one presses — It’s a good design with no openings do it’s easier to keep clean.
There is a light, inside the device that turns red while charging, green when charging and blue when paired.
It comes in a nice plastic jewel case with a magnetic close, with an opening for the USB-C charging cable so it can be charged while on the case. The bottom of the case has marking so the sticky reusable pad can rest on it. On the other half, there is a holder for an additional sticky pad.
App:
Works on iOS and Android. This review is for iOS:
– The first time, it asks some questions including general health and habits. However it does not connect with Apple HealthKit to obtain general information, however it syncs back data to HealthKit as ‘Mindful Minutes’. This is optional and by default it does not sync.
– The app is very intuitive, with a quick and thorough welcome mode with optional videos.
– It then starts a training program with a few minutes the first day and goes from there.
– At any time it can switch between the training and tracking mode.
– In tracking mode, the app stays in the background and notifies via a phone notification when it detects too much slouching.
– iOS app has Apple Watch integrations (Did not test it).
Every time one puts on the device, it needs to ‘calibrate’ a few seconds with the app open to detect the body’s straight up position (Or by pressing the button on the device twice after putting it on).
Desktop app: Available from the Mac Appl Store, it syncs with the iOS app (Tracker -> iOS app -> macOS app) which shows a widget which is neat while working, so I can see if it detects slouching while working, without having to look at the phone.
Supplies: More sticky pads can be ordered online and via the app, with free shipping. Currently is about less than $ 1 per adhesive (which again, lasts a few applications each).
Customer service: A chat with customer service (based in Israel) is available through the app itself.
Overall, I’d say it’s effective. It motivates to keep a better posture, which is the goal of this system. However the major caveat is that it’s not a comprehensive system. It tracks the ‘incline’ of the device attached to the back, not if the rest of your back is straight. Also one could be working on a desk, leaning on it but not slouching, and if the device measures a resting angle, it will treat it the same as slouching. This would be the major caveat, however after a a few days, I noticed on the app that there is a software update that extended the battery life from 30 to 45 hours on a single charge, and among other features it claims that it improves false detection, like when one is leaning down, it won’t track it as slouching. This is a welcome addition, and shows that they’re working on improvements.

In the box you will find – the Upright GO 2™ posture trainer device (approx. 1” x 2”) inside a small white container that allows access to the charging port on the device inside so you don’t need to remove it to charge it, the charging cable, 6 alcohol prep pads, 10 adhesive pads that you stick on the device with one side and stick on your upper back at your spine with the other for testing to commence. There is an adhesive removal tool (looks like a guitar pick). You will also find the small owner’s manual packed inside.
The idea of this device is to be a reminder of correcting your posture, while helping you strengthen your core, which is the center of most back problems. Nip it in the bud before it starts or train for better posture within a few weeks to strengthen your core to help with the problems you are already having with your back.
You need to download and install an app that walks you through the steps to get the device up and running. You will need to calibrate your posture through the app each time you put this on because you will probably never have it in the exact same place twice applying it yourself. This is to help teach the device your correct posture so it will know when to vibrate.
I personally think this is a great idea for someone with poor posture because being someone who ignored their poor posture for so many years and has had started to have problems with their back, I thought it would be most helpful to maybe help relieve some of the pain I am now suffering from. I just have to hope that it is not too late, but to even help alleviate a small bit of pain would be better than nothing. For the price, I think it is well worth taking the chance.
It is not recommended to wear this while exercising, running, etc, because sweating may prevent the adhesive tabs to have a good hold and may cause the device to fall off.
I highly recommend this especially for people who were like me and never bothered much about their posture. This is a simple training technique and I can’t wait to “feel the burn” by just sitting correctly at my desk where I basically live.
The best part is that it actually serves a dual purpose for me. When I start the slouching, the reminder not only reminds me to sit up straight, but also to get up from my desk and move around for a little bit…take a break.
There are two modes, tracking and training on the app. Tracking mode is basically what it says, it tracks the status of your posture. In training mode, it will vibrate every time it senses you are slouching and will make you straighten up. This will also vibrate if you bend over to pick something up, etc. So, it really detects when you are not standing or sitting upright. You might do best in the morning, when you go to put this on, to get ready before applying it so that it doesn’t continually think you are slouching while moving around to get ready. I mostly want this as a reminder, so I like leaving this in training mode, so I can kick my bad slouching habit in the bud.
I highly recommend this product. You can’t beat the price because not only can I use it for myself, but once I have trained, everyone else in my family can also use it to improve their posture. If I find myself slouching again, I can always retrain myself and so can they.

I tend to sit a lot at work, even though I have a standing desk and I noticed that my shoulders were hunching over and I was slouching more.
I saw this and thought it would be a fun way to improve my posture. I’ve used it for about 10 days now and here’s what I like and what I don’t:
Pros:
* Small, lightweight and comes with adhesives (haven’t had to change mine yet)
* App is easy to use
* Travel case and USB charging cable are nice to have
* Tracking mode lets you see how your posture has been during the day
* Training mode will cause the unit to vibrate if you slouch for 4 continuous seconds, more time is added so you gradually go for longer periods of time.
Cons:
* No integration with Apple Health – it would be nice to connect it with my Health app to get all of my health and fitness info in one place.
* Pairing on Day 1 was a bit of a challenge – the app said the device couldn’t be found and the unit itself wouldn’t turn on – putting it on the charger seemed to reset whatever loop it was stuck in.
* No power puck – like most gadgets nowadays, you get a cord to plug in, but now puck to connect to the wall, so they assume you have spare pucks or USB-A ports somewhere that aren’t being used.
All in all, I like it and I genuinely like new tech that helps me improve my quality of life by not being in the way. So far, I’m digging this thing and I’m noticing that I’m self correcting my posture more now than I did before I wore it. So at least, I’m more aware now of when my posture needs to be corrected.