"shape up" type shoes - do they really work?

mrslantu2020

It seems that I see more and more ads and commercials for these type of shoes. Before I invest, I was wondering if anyone has used these shoes and what type of results they give...

maviolette

I have the Avia version and I love them! The first pair I bought was the Reebok Easytones. They were fine, but I like the Avia much better. I've seen definite toning in my legs.

HeatherCanDoIt

I have been checking them out too and I am interested in checking out what people have to say!

dfwtxmissy

I have a pair and well worth the money. I paid 100.00 however never noticed the toning part but after taking about 2 days to get used to them. They make you walk like you are supposed to and don't drag your feet cuz they will trip you. They are major comfortable and awesome at the gym however I can't to the bicycles because of their thickness in the soles.

I will buy another pair when these wear out...I have had them about 6 months and they have yet to show wear and tear.

I will buy another pair just for the comfort.

gnrshelton

i heard on the Dr. Oz Show that they really don't work but that he wears them for comfort. So I guess in a way if they are comfortable and it makes you walk more then they work in a way.

imagymrat

They don't work, and they are really ugly. Save your money, buy a cute pair of Nikes and hit the pavement.

Michelle_J

i have the Skechers brand and you can feel the burn in your calves when you walk....:flowerforyou:

TonyaR

I have the Avia ones...and I feel it in my calves when I'm walking, I've also worked out in them (30 day shred) and Man did I felt it the next day!

imagymrat

I have the Avia ones...and I feel it in my calves when I'm walking, I've also worked out in them (30 day shred) and Man did I felt it the next day!

Your calves would be the only place that you'd feel a burn, and as soon as your muscles get used to the shoes...over. Shoes can not build muscle or even help to build muscle...it just doesn't make any sense, It would be weird to have super huge calve muscles and nothing anywhere else...:laugh:

Pattitude

I have the Easytones and I can definitely say that they work for me. I get on the elliptical 4-5 times a week for about 45 minutes to an hour and wear them every time I run. My calf muscles, quads, hamstrings, and booty are SO tight and firm just from running... no strength training involved! I have always had a big booty and have always been proud of it... but with these shoes, it has gone from jiggly-big to firm-and-perky-big and I feel like my legs look wonderful. There are only 2 downfalls to these shoes that I've experienced. 1) Whenever I run for longer periods of time, my toes end up hurting from gripping the inside of the shoe... for me, I feel like I constantly have to grip to counteract the "balance ball technology" of the shoe. 2) The strength and size of the muscles that they work seem to go away MUCH quicker from lack of use than if I actually strength trained (I would assume, anyway).

I would recommend them to anyone... although I have read reviews that they hurt some people to wear them, so make sure to do research first!

luckyinlife

I have them for the great arch not for the exercise benefits. Most comfy shoes and sandals I've ever had! I have the sketchers brand.

dmstephens

I paid a lot of money for mine and they do not work like advertised. And be very careful if you have any type of hip problem these shoes can make it feel much worst.

Cassandra1219

I've honestly noticed that my back feels a little better.. i felt some burn the other day when i wore them on my 4 mile walk:)

imagymrat

I have the Easytones and I can definitely say that they work for me. I get on the elliptical 4-5 times a week for about 45 minutes to an hour and wear them every time I run. My calf muscles, quads, hamstrings, and booty are SO tight and firm just from running... no strength training involved! I have always had a big booty and have always been proud of it... but with these shoes, it has gone from jiggly-big to firm-and-perky-big and I feel like my legs look wonderful. There are only 2 downfalls to these shoes that I've experienced. 1) Whenever I run for longer periods of time, my toes end up hurting from gripping the inside of the shoe... for me, I feel like I constantly have to grip to counteract the "balance ball technology" of the shoe. 2) The strength and size of the muscles that they work seem to go away MUCH quicker from lack of use than if I actually strength trained (I would assume, anyway).

I would recommend them to anyone... although I have read reviews that they hurt some people to wear them, so make sure to do research first!

and this is from your shoes??? they made your booty tight? really? sorry...it's the hard work you put into your body not your shoes...we don't let people wear them in the gym where I work, because they are unsafe to train in.

elizw5

I have the Nike shoes. I love them but have not noticed any difference. At first I did but after that, nothing. I do like them though, they are comfortable.

fxdl2k2

I have a pair of Sketchers and love them for the comfort. My feet and knees do not hurt wearing them. Do they help tone? I doubt it, but they are comfortable and I think they are cute shoes to wear with jeans.

Pattitude

and this is from your shoes??? they made your booty tight? really? sorry...it's the hard work you put into your body not your shoes...we don't let people wear them in the gym where I work, because they are unsafe to train in.

Actually, yes, I do feel that it is from my shoes. I ran for about 5 months prior to getting these shoes, and I absolutely did NOT see the results that I saw after wearing my Easytones. Of course my leg muscles got stronger from simply putting the work in and I don't attribute my firmer booty to JUST the shoes... but I could definitely feel and see a difference after switching shoes. Feel free to keep being judgemental and rude, though... it's really cute.

bonnienm

Just talked to the shoe salesman at our local store and he said that research shows that you can buy a good pair of Nike or other good but less expensive shoes and they have the same effect. My husband bought some Sketchers and likes them but now is having trouble with his knee. Wonder if that is part of the problem. I saved my money today and bought some regular Reebok walking shoes.

shari227

I have the sketchers and not only do I feel it in my butt and legs but they make me stand up straighter too(this makes my boobs look bigger too:). This helps my back and hips when I'm walking. I've tried doing the exact same exercises on different days with regular tennis shoes versus the sketchers and I can definitely feel the difference. I personally love them and can see and feel the difference.

3babybeans

I have the Sketcher sandle Tone Ups...accidently. I bought them at the store simply b/c they were the MOST comfortable flipflops I've ever put on my feet. I don't think they do much for toning, but they are nice & comfy! Good luck no matter what you decide!

Tasha1476

I have the Easytones and I can definitely say that they work for me. I get on the elliptical 4-5 times a week for about 45 minutes to an hour and wear them every time I run. My calf muscles, quads, hamstrings, and booty are SO tight and firm just from running... no strength training involved! I have always had a big booty and have always been proud of it... but with these shoes, it has gone from jiggly-big to firm-and-perky-big and I feel like my legs look wonderful. There are only 2 downfalls to these shoes that I've experienced. 1) Whenever I run for longer periods of time, my toes end up hurting from gripping the inside of the shoe... for me, I feel like I constantly have to grip to counteract the "balance ball technology" of the shoe. 2) The strength and size of the muscles that they work seem to go away MUCH quicker from lack of use than if I actually strength trained (I would assume, anyway).

I would recommend them to anyone... although I have read reviews that they hurt some people to wear them, so make sure to do research first!

I love my easytones too!

Jena_72

FYI 
Find an AVON Representative and you can buy the Curves Toning Trainer tennis shoes or sandles for $40!! The [tennis shoes] are ON SALE in campaign 16 for 39.99($10 off) I am a Avon Rep and have sold about 4 or 5 pair of the tennis shoes and everyone I have sold them to loves them! I would have got a pair myself but they start at size 6 too big for me
I know these shoes can be expensive so maybe a small investment like $40 is better to see how you like them.

MFPfriend

The may work for a week or so... after that, your body will become used to them.

Though I will add that my sister bought a pair, and her posture has improved tremendously.
But that's it, lol.

sissytx

This is so true if you have hip problems. It took me a while to find out that it was the tone-up's causing the hip problem. They are comfy and the sandals are the most comfortable flip-flops I have ever worn.

July24Lioness

These shoes are a genius idea because they will sell like hotcakes, however I can guarantee they are going to be completely worthless waste of your money, not to mention the sketchers are embarrassingly ugly.

If you really believe these shoes will "tone" you up I have this great little pill and it will melt fat off your body exactly where you want it come off from and the best part is you don't have to eat healthy or workout at all.

There is no way to "spot tone" any area of the body. The human body is going to burn fat from where it thinks it needs to burn it from. That is why people lose weight in odd places sometimes at first.....................

I assume by tone you mean you want to lose some body fat to make your lower-body muscles look more defined, while at the same time making your leg, glutes and calf muscles slightly larger so that they are shapely. There is no such thing as spot reducing so wearing a pair of shoes that are rounded on the bottom are not going to melt fat from your lower body. If you want to lose the body-fat, you need to check your diet. As for adding the shapely muscle, the truth is the only real way to do that is to perform resistance training with an appropriate amount of weight. Long-duration balance training will do nothing more than make you more able to balance while wearing rounded-bottomed shoes... if it even accomplishes that.

These type shoes, as a couple other posts mentioned, are garbage and a way for people to "feel" like they are doing something, without actually putting in any work. You are on a site devoted to fitness and better health for all intents and purposes, if you don't believe us that the shoes are a gimick, go into the ladies section pick out the 10 best lower bodies in there and ask them how many of them got that way from wearing super shoes. A good body is accomplished with some hard work, sweat, and proper nutrition. Sorry if this is not the answer you were looking for, however, it is an answer that is honest.

Also, call a podiatrist and see what their opinion is about these shoes...........everything I have read about these shoes says that Doctors are referring patients over to Podiatrists at an alarming rate due to foot and ankle problems from these shoes.

For me, I wear Vibram 5 Five Fingers and Clarks Privos. They are flat and the next best thing to walking barefoot. If you want to strengthen your feet, ankles and calves, barefoot running is the way to go.

lukat

The Skecher Shape Up is similar to the original, more expensive MBT, which is marketed to people with back and knee problems. Skecher marketed their more affordable version as a fitness shoe, and voila, the brand struck gold. I no longer work with the shoes, but at the time each box came with a pamphlet and dvd about the proper way to use the shoes. Most retailers, if they are at all interested in a sale, will allow an interested customer to take a dvd home and watch for themselves prior to their purchase. I would always tell my customers that a shoe doesn't make you lose weight, but it might give you motivation to move, just like new workout clothes or an iPod. Also, they are only for walking, not jogging or running. I do not know about the other brands styles, like Easytones, but in general I think trying them on and comparing to other shoes is the only way to know what works best for each person.

cynthials

I used to have a pair of MBTs, all I got was a huge blister on the back of my heel. I ended up selling them on ebay. I also think these shoes are a bunch of hooey, and I am shocked that some of you would run in them. These shoes are so NOT meant for running! That's a great way to break your ankle if you lose your balance on a rock or something. :ohwell:

tommygirl15

I don't believe these things work! To each their own. I go steep-hill hiking with my flip flops on!

iplayoutside19

I rolled my eyes when two ladies here in the office bought these last fall.....They still wear them, but they still look the same.

I fear, the emporer has no clothes!

Barneystinson

They "work" to mess up your running and walking form and work against biomechanics.

But as a minimalist and barefooter, I'm completely biased.

July24Lioness

They "work" to mess up your running and walking form and work against biomechanics.

But as a minimalist and barefooter, I'm completely biased.

Very much Agreed. I am another barefooter (with my Vibram Five Fingers, LOL)

:drinker: :drinker: