Can Those Shoes Really Tone Your Legs?

Wednesday, 04 November 2009

Can Those Shoes Really Tone Your Legs?

You've seen the ads for those shoes with the convex soles. Walking on them is supposed to give you an automatic workout, even if you're just schlepping from the couch to the pantry for more Doritos.
MBT makes them, as now companies like Skechers and Reebok are getting in on the craze. But do these actually work?
They're always ridiculously pricey, like $200 a pair. So I'm wondering: have any of you tried these shoes? Did you see results?
Would you try them?

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Those are really ugly.
- 11/4/2009 5:05 PM
- Manstration@xanga (message)
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I'm curious to know the same thing.
- 11/4/2009 5:05 PM
- xclevermealsx@xanga (message)
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lmao all i know is i crack up laughing everytime i see them, its hard not to laugh at a 60 year old women with platform skechers lmao.
- 11/4/2009 5:06 PM
- scartissue_quotes@xanga (message)
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I have never tried them but I think they would (not extreme results)
b/c you're going to really have to use our muscles to stablize yourself as you walk
as you walk you're using your leg muscles + core muscles to stablize yourself
- 11/4/2009 5:09 PM
- JoeytheGenie@xanga (message)
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omg they're ugly. give me a pair of fit flops instead.
- 11/4/2009 5:14 PM
- XoAsianBabioX@xanga (message)
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They would because the force you to roll your foot, thus toning your calves, as you walk. I try to walk like this all the time, actually, which is why I like to walk up and down slanted surfaces at my campus.
I actually wish I could afford these. >,<
- 11/4/2009 5:23 PM
- xXxjelloxXx@xanga (message)
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I can see how this would make your need to stabilize more (stronger core), but I don't know. Also, there's increased range of motion in the gastrocnemius and soleus because of the odd shape. I guess there's a slight increase in travel for quadriceps/ hamstrings too, but I can't see these giving enough of a boost to be worth getting.
With that said, you can get the similar effect walking up and down inclined surfaces or stairs. Especially going downhill, the eccentric braking stresses on the legs can tone and strengthen dramatically.
- 11/4/2009 5:27 PM
- chow@ireallylikefood (message)
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Even if they do, I wouldn't wear them. They're hideous.
- 11/4/2009 5:44 PM
- Fallen_November@xanga (message)
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Well I've tried on the Sketchers and the Reeboks, for me aside from being ridiculously pricey they are also ridiculously uncomfortable. Also with the Sketchers when I tried them on the sales woman told me you are supposed to warm up with them first before walking, by rocking back and forth on them or something. I'm thinking, "Oh yes, exactly what I want to do before running to the store a work out warm up." I don't think they are as practical as they claim, especially if you really do have to do the warm up first.
- 11/4/2009 5:49 PM
- princess_riceball@xanga (message)
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i heard that the sneaker ones really do tone ur legs.. only if ur on a healthy diet and do quite a bit of exercise or walking n them.. they are VERY VERYYYY unappealing though.. loll so .. yeahh
i own a pair of fit flops and they are really really comfortable.. does nothing to tone my legs.. but i can wear them for hours and hours of walking and my feet would be soo happy.. so so happy :)
- 11/4/2009 6:15 PM
- AngelStarr@xanga (message)
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yeah I would rather walk extra miles than wear these hideous and expensive prices of shit!
- 11/4/2009 7:01 PM
- BellaGlam (message)
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@Manstration@xanga - i think so too.
- 11/4/2009 7:24 PM
- mewithoutu77@xanga (message)
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ewwww.
- 11/4/2009 7:38 PM
- nerdishh8D@xanga (message)
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erm
- 11/4/2009 8:28 PM
- yuk_lui@xanga (message)
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saw those while shopping 2 weeks ago... literally thought wtf.
- 11/4/2009 8:39 PM
- sammkayxo@xanga (message)
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they are ugly, and pricey. perhaps if i got them for free i would try them...im curious to see if they would actually really work. if they do im sure i would wear them in my sleep. haha
- 11/4/2009 8:41 PM
- mysen10rlife@xanga (message)
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all these fit shoes are so clunky and ugly. i'll just exercise, thanks.
- 11/4/2009 8:43 PM
- soyeahthatswhathappened@xanga (message)
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Theyre so UGLY. My goodness. I wouldnt pay $200 for that.

I've seen "automatic workout shoes" that werent convexed and ugly. They just had little bally things in the soles.
- 11/4/2009 9:06 PM
- kyan (message)
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I'm sure they work. But there's no way in hell I'm paying that much for those things.
- 11/4/2009 9:19 PM
- B1ANCACACA@xanga (message)
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I work at a shoe store that sells the Sketcher's Shape ups, you would not believe how many women come in asking for them!
- 11/4/2009 9:41 PM
- junegray@xanga (message)
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@XoAsianBabioX@xanga - Do fit flops really work? I went to the store to try them out and they didn't seem like anything special.
- 11/4/2009 9:48 PM
- Meowmeowkimmaee@xanga (message)
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@Meowmeowkimmaee@xanga - i don't know. i haven't really tried, but i read raving reviews. like apparently they don't feel like anything, but the next day your ass is sore. hahaha.
- 11/4/2009 9:52 PM
- XoAsianBabioX@xanga (message)
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@XoAsianBabioX@xanga - I was going to get them, but walking around the store, I didn't feel any effect. And they're pretty expensive for a pair of ugly flip flops!
- 11/4/2009 9:55 PM
- Meowmeowkimmaee@xanga (message)
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@Meowmeowkimmaee@xanga - exactly what i thought!
- 11/4/2009 10:01 PM
- XoAsianBabioX@xanga (message)
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I wanted to try them, my co-worker has them and she likes them, but the drawback is that they are FUGLY! LOL
- 11/4/2009 10:10 PM
- Our_New_Beginning@xanga (message)
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