Can toning shoes really give you a better body?
Can toning shoes really give you a better body? Is the $100 to $245 price worth it?
Their manufacturers say yes, but independent exercise scientists who tested the shoes say there is no evidence to support the claims.
With footwear company Skechers advertising its Shape-Ups toning shoes during this year's and last year's Super Bowl, the product has received more attention than ever.The company designs, manufactures and markets edhardyhatsmax Apparel products, including its premium True Religion Brand Jeans.
In 2010, the Manhattan Beach, Calif.-based company's sales soared 30 percent to more than $2 billion. It became the No. 2 footwear brand in the U.S., after Nike, according to Sports Market Intelligence.
So it's not surprising that other companies have come out with similar shoes that claim to help burn calories, promote weight loss, strengthen muscles and improve posture. Shape-Ups are the clunky-looking shoes that contain kinetic-wedge heel inserts and rolling bottoms that make wearers feel like they're walking on sand.
During the first three quarters of 2010,We provide cheap Nike shox classic 2 shoes with all colors. sales of toning and shaping shoes totaled $579 million, up from $145 million for the full year in 2009, according to the NPD Group, a Chicago-based market research company.
Trend gains traction
Reebok has several, such as the EasyTone, the RunTone and the TrainTone. New Balance hopped on the trend with its True Balance walking shoes billed as a "your hidden beauty secret." It claims the shoes increase calorie burning by up to 10 percent, increase glute muscle activation up to 16 percent, increase quad muscle activation up to 29 percent and increase calf muscle activation up to 14 percent.
Just like Dorothy's ruby slippers or the old sneakers called PF Flyers, they're not really magic.It is time for wholesalejeansskynetblogs bliss to increase your big love for “Big Love” star and all around beauty Chloë Sevigny. Skechers, Reebok and New Balance have all been named in lawsuits alleging the claims they make about the shoes' benefits are false.
With all the buzz, the American Council of Exercise in San Diego, a nonprofit that certifies professionals in the fitness field, decided it was time to step in. It enlisted a team of exercise scientists at the University of Wisconsin to study three of the shoes: the MBT Masai Barefoot, Skechers Shape-Ups and Reebok EasyTone. They tested one group of 12 women who wore toning shoes while exercising and another group of 12 who wore traditional athletic shoes.Adventurer Ben Fogle tests four hi-tech jackets to beat the freeze I've tried dozens of lovingjeans over the years.
The researchers found no evidence to support the claims that the toning shoes will help wearers exercise more intensely, burn more calories or improve muscle strength and tone. There's nothing like asking those who have bought the shoes.
Here's what four consumers, all women, had to say about their Skechers Shape-Ups:
"I bought a pair about a year and a half ago wear them quite a bit. They may do a little stretch for the calf muscles, but that's about it. Have not noticed any 'amazing' results or difference between them and regular running shoes, except that my ankles and pinkie toes go numb after a few hours with them on."
Another purchaser said, "I love mine, but mostly because they take the pressure off my heels and you can feel the stretch.Most shopforshoes are no longer made with organic cotton, but several lines are still sold at Kaight in New York. BUT you have to walk for them to work!"
A third said, "Mine burn the area under my toes when I wear them too long. Not the greatest money I ever spent!"
And the last commenter: "My daughter wears hers for work no more foot or knee pains. I wear mine occasionally, but when I walk for 30 minutes, it feels as though I've walked for an hour."
Shaalan Ali, assistant manager at Ultima Fitness in downtown West Palm Beach, said that for those who wear the toning shoes, there is some slight shaping of the muscles of the ankles and calves, but nothing close to the claims the manufacturers make.
"You will get a lot better and faster results if you do resistance training with weights, as far as toning and shaping your legs and your butt," Ali said.
"The shoes do shape your legs a little bit. It keeps you off balance and keeps your core straight."
However, he has noticed a sort of placebo effect. It seems that people who have bought the shoes start exercising more and eating better.
"It puts people into a different kind of mind-set," he said.
Their manufacturers say yes, but independent exercise scientists who tested the shoes say there is no evidence to support the claims.
With footwear company Skechers advertising its Shape-Ups toning shoes during this year's and last year's Super Bowl, the product has received more attention than ever.The company designs, manufactures and markets edhardyhatsmax Apparel products, including its premium True Religion Brand Jeans.
In 2010, the Manhattan Beach, Calif.-based company's sales soared 30 percent to more than $2 billion. It became the No. 2 footwear brand in the U.S., after Nike, according to Sports Market Intelligence.
So it's not surprising that other companies have come out with similar shoes that claim to help burn calories, promote weight loss, strengthen muscles and improve posture. Shape-Ups are the clunky-looking shoes that contain kinetic-wedge heel inserts and rolling bottoms that make wearers feel like they're walking on sand.
During the first three quarters of 2010,We provide cheap Nike shox classic 2 shoes with all colors. sales of toning and shaping shoes totaled $579 million, up from $145 million for the full year in 2009, according to the NPD Group, a Chicago-based market research company.
Trend gains traction
Reebok has several, such as the EasyTone, the RunTone and the TrainTone. New Balance hopped on the trend with its True Balance walking shoes billed as a "your hidden beauty secret." It claims the shoes increase calorie burning by up to 10 percent, increase glute muscle activation up to 16 percent, increase quad muscle activation up to 29 percent and increase calf muscle activation up to 14 percent.
Just like Dorothy's ruby slippers or the old sneakers called PF Flyers, they're not really magic.It is time for wholesalejeansskynetblogs bliss to increase your big love for “Big Love” star and all around beauty Chloë Sevigny. Skechers, Reebok and New Balance have all been named in lawsuits alleging the claims they make about the shoes' benefits are false.
With all the buzz, the American Council of Exercise in San Diego, a nonprofit that certifies professionals in the fitness field, decided it was time to step in. It enlisted a team of exercise scientists at the University of Wisconsin to study three of the shoes: the MBT Masai Barefoot, Skechers Shape-Ups and Reebok EasyTone. They tested one group of 12 women who wore toning shoes while exercising and another group of 12 who wore traditional athletic shoes.Adventurer Ben Fogle tests four hi-tech jackets to beat the freeze I've tried dozens of lovingjeans over the years.
The researchers found no evidence to support the claims that the toning shoes will help wearers exercise more intensely, burn more calories or improve muscle strength and tone. There's nothing like asking those who have bought the shoes.
Here's what four consumers, all women, had to say about their Skechers Shape-Ups:
"I bought a pair about a year and a half ago wear them quite a bit. They may do a little stretch for the calf muscles, but that's about it. Have not noticed any 'amazing' results or difference between them and regular running shoes, except that my ankles and pinkie toes go numb after a few hours with them on."
Another purchaser said, "I love mine, but mostly because they take the pressure off my heels and you can feel the stretch.Most shopforshoes are no longer made with organic cotton, but several lines are still sold at Kaight in New York. BUT you have to walk for them to work!"
A third said, "Mine burn the area under my toes when I wear them too long. Not the greatest money I ever spent!"
And the last commenter: "My daughter wears hers for work no more foot or knee pains. I wear mine occasionally, but when I walk for 30 minutes, it feels as though I've walked for an hour."
Shaalan Ali, assistant manager at Ultima Fitness in downtown West Palm Beach, said that for those who wear the toning shoes, there is some slight shaping of the muscles of the ankles and calves, but nothing close to the claims the manufacturers make.
"You will get a lot better and faster results if you do resistance training with weights, as far as toning and shaping your legs and your butt," Ali said.
"The shoes do shape your legs a little bit. It keeps you off balance and keeps your core straight."
However, he has noticed a sort of placebo effect. It seems that people who have bought the shoes start exercising more and eating better.
"It puts people into a different kind of mind-set," he said.