The $178 posture bra that went viral gets a reality check
NBC Selected’s five-month test found Forme’s Power Bra helps posture while worn, but its long-term payoff is less convincing.
By Sal Moretti · Money Reporter
4 min read
Forme’s $178 Power Bra may pull shoulders back on contact, but NBC Selected’s five-month test found the pricey posture helper did not deliver a lasting fix once it came off.
The bra, which looks more like workout gear than a medical-looking brace, gained attention after Taylor Swift wore it during rehearsals for her world tour, according to NBC Selected. Forme has said the item has sold out multiple times since.
NBC Selected reporter Zoe Malin tested the Power Bra after the brand sent it to her. Her verdict: useful during wear, comfortable enough for workouts and easy to use, but too expensive to recommend as a long-term solution for slouching.
What the bra claims to do
Noam Tamir, a certified strength, conditioning and mobility specialist and founder of TS Fitness in New York City, told NBC Selected that physical posture correctors are garments designed to help the wearer sit or stand taller by supporting the upper body and drawing the shoulders back.
Forme says the Power Bra uses eight panels and six fabrics with different tension levels to apply pressure across the upper body. According to the brand, that structure is meant to pull the shoulders back, raise the chest and help align the spine.
Tamir told NBC Selected that wide straps, like the ones on the Power Bra, are common in posture-correcting bras because they can support the chest and spread weight across the shoulders more evenly than thin straps.
Forme describes the bra as FDA-registered and a low-level medical device. NBC Selected noted that registration means the FDA has basic information about the company and product, not that the Power Bra is FDA-approved or FDA-cleared.
The bra is sold in sizes XS to 3XL and seven colors. NBC Selected also reported that Forme works with Flex, a service that allows eligible purchases to be paid for with an FSA or HSA card.
How the test went
Malin wore the Power Bra for five months, usually at least three times a week for two to four hours at a time while exercising. She used it for walking, the elliptical, Pilates, barre, yoga and weight lifting, and tried it during runs a few times.
She found that it fit true to size, though she recommended sizing up for people between sizes because of its compressive feel. She washed it on a cold cycle with gentle detergent and air-dried it, following Forme’s care directions.
During wear, Malin reported an immediate posture change: her shoulders were drawn back, her chest lifted and her spine felt straighter. She also said it made her more aware of habits like shrugging, hunching and slouching while using devices.
The comfort score was also strong. Malin said the bra felt similar to a very supportive sports bra and did not limit her movement during exercise. The armholes felt slightly tight at first, but improved after she stretched them out as Forme recommended.
The catch
The biggest problem was what happened after the workout. Malin said she returned to slouching and tensing her shoulders when she removed the bra, and she did not feel her posture had changed much across the five-month test.
Tamir told NBC Selected that posture correctors can temporarily reduce pain and encourage better habits, but they are not a long-term solution on their own. He recommended wearing one for two to four hours daily, while avoiding all-day use so the body does not become too reliant on it.
That daily schedule created a practical problem. Malin said the bra got sweaty during workouts and needed washing between uses, while buying several at $178 each was not realistic for her budget.
She also found that some less expensive, supportive sports bras gave her similar posture help, including models from Spanx, Lululemon and Brooks priced between $68 and $75. Back-brace-style posture correctors from brands such as ComfyBrace and Berlin & Daughter are typically under $50, according to NBC Selected.
The Power Bra held its compression after dozens of wears and washes, Malin reported, though small logo decals began peeling. Another drawback: unlike some posture bras, it has no adjustable straps, so wearers cannot control how strongly it pulls the shoulders back.
Malin’s final take was clear: the Power Bra works as a short-term posture reminder, especially during exercise, but its nearly $200 price is hard to justify if shoppers expect a lasting posture transformation.
This story draws on original reporting from NBC News.