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1 August 2010
Will Toning Shoes Really Replace
A Visit To the Gym?
Cliff Baker
That's the claim you know! Of course, you've heard about these toning shoes that are to reshape your lower body, build muscle and all but make the local gym obsolete? But, do the claims hold up? Don't buy
toning shoes until you've read this!
What will they think of next? Why "toning shoes" of course! Oh, you know what I'm talking about -- the shoes that are built with rounded heels and other odd characteristics. Toning shoes are becoming runaway best sellers (pardon the pun!) But their popularity doesn't necessarily answer the question: do they really tone your legs and buttocks? And will they really force the local gym to go out of business.
The answer to the last question is no. Don't worry. Your gym can handle the competition from these seemingly miraculous shoes.
For the most part, all toning shoes, regardless of the brand, have a few items in common. First, they all have pods or curves on their soles. This creates instability when you walk. That imbalance, according to experts, is what gives these shoes their reputation. Because of the instability, the muscles in your legs, glutes and calves work at least 11 percent harder and in some cases up to 41 percent.
Making muscles work harder makes them stronger proponents of the shoes say. The opponents, though, don't see it that way. According to them, the variance in the bottom of the shoe only causes it to be "clunky, heavy and unstable."
Dr. Paul Langer, a podiatrist at Minnesota Orthopaedic Specialists, was curious enough about the claims the manufacturers
of toning shoes are making about buying a pair to wear all day. His conclusion?
"My legs feel tired and the shoes feel heavy," he said. The toning shoes, by the way, are indeed heavier than your average sneaker. "Because the shoes are unstable muscles must work harder to stabilize the foot and leg.
Okay, but what about the claim that the gym will become obsolete thanks to these babies. Dr. Langer said, "I would never propose that these shoes would replace a conventional fitness routine."
Pete McCall, an exercise physiologist at the American Council on Exercise, also sees the obsolete gym claim as nothing more than marketing hype. But he does admit that brief moments in instability in the feet can actually cause the muscles to work harder.
"The muscles" during this moment of instability, Dr. Langer explains, "counteract by working to create stability." At least that's the theory behind these shoes.
One company marketing these shoes is Skechers. The brand name of their toning shoe is "Shape Ups." The vice president of creative strategy at the company, Van Cott, said that users of the shoes "should notice . . . muscles being more toned an improvement in . . . core strength and weight loss."
The company also issued a statement that said in a six-week trial demonstrated that those individuals who wore the shoes lost an average of 3.25 pounds -- without changing any of their other habits.
Are you ready to throw your gym membership away and instead buy these shoes? Hmm. Why don't you just wait -- well at least a few more weeks? While these shoes may actually help tone your muscles, it's probably not enough to affect your regular stop at the gym.
On the other hand, when used with every other tool in your weight-loss toolbox, these toning shoes may have a secure place in your closet.
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