Toning shoes are all the rage in the fitness world today, and it’s easy to see why. Clever claims allure consumers to get in shape without ever breaking a sweat, relying on the magic footwear to do the work. “Activate muscles,” “burn more calories” and “improve posture,” boast the brands. Sounds great, right?
Not so fast. Recent research has cast a shadow of doubt on this marketing campaign, arguing that toning shoes have no advantage over standard trainers when it comes to fitness.
The Research
Toning shoes, such as Skechers Shape-Ups, MBTs and Reebok EasyTone, feature unique soles and extra padding that shift the walking gait and give people the perception that their muscles are working overtime to stay in balance and on track. This feeling of a muscle workout has fueled the consumer demand for toning shoes in recent years, with celebrities and common folk alike lining up to get the latest trends.
Inspired by the hype, researchers of the American Council on Exercise measured physiological response and muscle activity in women wearing toning shoes or regular trainers. The results surprised many: No significant difference was found between the two types of trainers, in vast contradiction to the advertising claims. Some of the parameters favored standard trainers, while others leaned toward the toning shoes. Neither variation, however, was considered meaningful enough to signal a real boost.
False Advertising
Based on their research, the scientists concluded that Skechers Shape-Ups, MBTs and Reebok EasyTone were nothing more than an “overhyped gimmick,” with companies misleading consumers to shell out premium cash for a seductively advertised but ineffective pair of shoes.
Consumer advocates seem to agree. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission sued Reebok for false advertising in late 2011, settling out of court with a $ 25 million fine. A class-action lawsuit is also in the works against Skechers at this time.
To make matters worse, injuries have also been reported. The unbalanced soles of the toning shoes may put people at risk for fall. Not surprisingly, dozens of people have reported significant injuries, ranging from torn tendons to fractured hips, in recent lawsuits.
The Verdict
Despite the negative publicity, it might be too soon to rule out the toning shoe technology completely. According to some blogs and customer reviews, the extra cushioning of Skechers Shape-Ups, MBTs and Reebok EasyTone may relieve knee pain, back pain and similar conditions. However, some consumers have also reported acquiring back pain, heel pain and joint pain from wearing the trainers.
Of course, different people in different situations will inevitably experience different results. Thus, while toning shoes may be of benefit to some, they may have no effect or even cause discomfort or injury for others.
One thing is clear, however: Toning shoes are not the magic bullet that clever marketers and their flashy ads would like you to believe. Hitting the gym is still your best bet for getting in shape and keeping fit.
Sources:
American Council on Exercise: http://www.acefitness.org/certifiednewsarticle/720/
Federal Trade Commission: http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/09/reebok.shtm
PRWeb: http://www.prweb.com/releases/toning-shoe-injury-lawyer/skechers-class-action/prweb9246963.htm
MTB Footware: http://us.mbt.com/Default.aspx?lang=en-US
Top rated – Lifestyle – Voices from Yahoo!