You spend your days in front of a screen.
Your head leans forward without you even noticing.
Your traps are tense. Your neck is stiff. Your shoulders feel locked.
You may be suffering from what’s now called tech neck — that rounded, frozen posture caused by hours on a phone or computer. It’s a modern problem… but it’s not inevitable.
At One Pilates, we use powerful tools from the Classical Method to correct these imbalances at the root. One of our most effective? The barrels. Once you discover them, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them.
Tech Neck — The Silent Epidemic of the 21st Century
What exactly is tech neck?
The term tech neck describes postural changes caused by excessive screen use, such as:
- Forward head position (protraction)
- Rounded shoulders
- Collapsed upper back (thoracic kyphosis)
- Constant tension in the neck and traps
- Sometimes: chronic headaches, eye strain, or tingling in the arms
It’s not just a cosmetic issue — it’s a functional problem that can lead to long-term pain if nothing is done.
Who’s affected?
Almost everyone today. In Geneva and beyond, people seek help for:
- Stiff neck
- Pain between the shoulder blades
- The feeling that their shoulders are “stuck”
- Ongoing postural fatigue
- Difficulty breathing fully
The root cause is often the same: a collapsed daily posture that eventually becomes “normal” to the body.
Why Barrels Are Your Best Ally Against Tech Neck
What is a Pilates barrel?
In Classical Pilates, barrels are pieces of equipment designed to follow the spine’s natural curves while providing:
- Support
- Opening
- Progressive resistance
Different barrels have different purposes:
- Spine Corrector — frees the rib cage and retrains spinal extension
- Small Barrel — gentle, targeted work
- Ladder Barrel — deeper progressions with control and range
Unlike a simple stretch, barrels provide active, structured, lasting work.
How the Barrel Can Transform Your Posture
- Opening the rib cage
Tech neck compresses the rib cage, restricts breathing, and weakens the upper back muscles. The barrel restores openness, creates space, and retrains the body to lengthen along the correct axis. - Spinal extension
Most of our day is spent bent forward. Barrels take you into the opposite range — extension — the one you almost never practice in daily life. That’s where the magic happens.
“After just a few sessions, I felt I could stand taller without forcing it. It was the first time I’d felt that natural length in my spine.”
— Anne, 45 - Deep postural muscle activation
This isn’t a passive stretch. Barrel work engages the deep muscles that hold you upright without strain: spinal erectors, scapular stabilizers, diaphragm, and transverse abdominals. - Retraining coordination and breathing
Many people breathe shallowly and high in the chest. On the barrel, the rib cage opens, the diaphragm moves more freely, and deep, efficient breathing becomes possible.
Why You Need a Barrel (Even If You Don’t Know It Yet)
Because stretching alone isn’t enough
Tech neck can’t be fixed by a few stretches. You need to retrain movement, strengthen the right muscles, and reprogram your posture into the correct motor pattern. Barrels allow for:
- Targeted work without strain
- Gentle joint decompression
- Long-term postural correction
Because nothing else feels like it
After a barrel session, you feel taller, lighter, more open. It’s not a “crack” or a surface stretch — it’s a whole-body realignment.
At One Pilates: Barrels as Part of a Complete Method
Expertise in the Classical Method
Barrels aren’t “bonus accessories.” In our Geneva studio, they’re an integral part of the Classical Pilates system, with one goal: to correct imbalances — not just hide them.
Our instructors know:
- The role of barrels in progression
- Common mistakes to avoid
- Adaptations for every body type
Precise, one-to-one guidance
Barrel work requires millimetre-accurate adjustments — from hand placement to breathing. That’s why every session is fully personalised.
“I rediscovered my back. I thought I was just stiff… but I simply didn’t know how to stretch properly. The Spine Corrector taught me to breathe, to open up, and to bring fluidity back into my spine.”
— Sophie, 52
A space designed for focus and progress
Our studio is bright, calm, and fully equipped with the original Classical Pilates apparatus — including every type of barrel. It’s the ideal setting to break the screen–stiffness–pain cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I need to be in pain to use a barrel?
No. Barrels are also preventative. The earlier you use them, the stronger your posture will be before pain develops.
- Is it difficult?
Sessions are adapted to your level. We always start gently. The goal isn’t performance — it’s awareness and precision.
- How soon will I feel a difference?
Many feel improvement after the first session — especially in breathing and lightness. Deeper changes build over several weeks.
Conclusion: Don’t Let Tech Neck Dictate Your Posture
Tech neck isn’t inevitable. It’s not about age — it’s about habit. If you spend your days in front of a screen, you need precise, effective tools to restore balance to your body.
At One Pilates, we believe in the power of barrels — simple in appearance, but remarkably effective in correcting posture, freeing the spine, and restoring alignment.
Don’t wait until the pain becomes chronic. Take action now. Stand taller. Breathe deeper. Find your balance.
Try Barrel Work at One Pilates Geneva
Want to experience the difference a Spine Corrector, Small Barrel, or Ladder Barrel can make? Visit our specialised Classical Pilates studio and discover the power of true, deep work.
