Opinions on "Shape-up" type shoes?

lindalee0315

I'm very curious to try the Shape Up-type shoes. I'm not delusional enough to think that they would replace actually working out, but I am wondering if anyone has them and what they thought of them. I was thinking that they could be my go-to shoes when chasing after my toddler, but do people think they actually do anything? Macy's had them on sale for less than $40, and I was tempted to try them. Please give me your unvarnished opinions. Again, keeping in mind that this would be a supplement to my regular workout schedule, not a replacement for anything I already do.

eversits

I just got them for Christmas from my mother-in-law. I really like them because they are comfortable and they make me feel like I am walking in sand. And (please do not make fun of me) it gives me the illusion that I have to go for more walks with my dog. Of course I still workout regularly at home and at the gym, it just gives me the opportunity to do something else.

jewelzz

I soo want a pair of Reebok shape ups!:bigsmile:

wocm15

My *extremely* out of shape friend has a pair that she just wears all day, and she said that she could feel her muscles working. Whether she still feels the burn a few months later I don't know. I myself tried on a pair at the store and felt like I might twist my ankle in them because of their unstability! Twisting my ankle wouldn't let me do my regular running and exercise! Plus (and this is purely my aesthetic) I think Shape-ups ugly and wouldn't be caught dead in them. Maybe if elevator shoes come back in fashion... But hey, different strokes for different folks! The Reebok ones look a little more like normal tennis shoes.

bonnienm

My husband bought some and says they're really comfortable. Not sure they really shape you up but he could walk for a while even with his bone spur so that was a plus. Also bought some for my daughter for Christmas but they were too big so had to send them back. They were Reebok Easy Tones (Outside something) and they apparently run a little big.

mbastian

I am not sure about the "Shape-Up" brand, but I have owned a pair of the Reebok EasyTones for about 10 months. I don't think they really do much for toning, but they are the most comfortable shoes I have ever owned. The result? I walk more because my feet don't hurt!

Michelle

elmct57

i liked the easy tones better and was also able to get mine on sale. the shape ups just felt weird to me and i didn't notice a difference--tho i have friends who mentioned the same walking in sand sensation the poster above did.

mbastian

I am not sure about the "Shape-Up" brand, but I have owned a pair of the Reebok EasyTones for about 10 months. I don't think they really do much for toning, but they are the most comfortable shoes I have ever owned. The result? I walk more because my feet don't hurt!

Michelle

megamom

Well it is a myth that they will firm you up and lift your butt but if they feel good go for it. I like mine because they are spongy feeling and making working a 12.5 hour shift easier on this ole bod.

nmunson4

Seriously, the ugliest shoes ever!!!

Elizabeth_C34

I love mine. They are not pretty, but they do work. It feels like walking on sand and forces you to stand up straight and to use your hamstrings, quads, calves, and butt muscles more.

punkrawkcutie

I have a pair of easy tones and a pair of shape ups and they do work, but you have to be doing actual walking. Just plain old wearing them like the ads tell you is a myth. I personally find that the easy tones were better, but since i go them second it's hard to say if the shape ups paved the way for the toning or not. Do not get me wrong however, It has only changed the lift of my butt... I do not hae 6 foot long, tan legs now like the pictures promised. I have a friend who swears by the new balance version though. Might be somethign to look at. I know personally I am a little biased when it comes to foot wear as I worked in a sporting goods store for 12 years and know how many pairs of Sketcher shoes came back due to poor craftsman ship (didn't stop me from buying a pair tho...) and since they are considered a "fashion" athletic shoe, with all the other options now I would stick with an athletic company. But that's just my 2 cents.... Really if the shoe fits... wear it :laugh:

punkrawkcutie

Seriously, the ugliest shoes ever!!!

LOL OMG! I totally agree. I am so glad that reeboks look like running shoes and not moon boots

wiggleroom

I have the New Balance kind. I don't wear them for regular activities (to me, they're so obvious, it invites people to look at my butt and judge whether or not they think the shoes are working! No thank you!). I wear them when I'm walking the dog, and I definitely feel my hamstrings and glutes more acutely, both during the walk and afterwards.

They are super dorky, though.

LorinaLynn

I got a pair of FILA Sport ones (between the sale price and coupon at Kohl's) for about $20, just to try them. I've had them three weeks and my legs felt stiff and sore (in a good way) the first few times I wore them walking the dog. But my feet... my feet were the happiest they've ever been!

I have problem feet. I had a stress fracture on my left a few years ago, and a dislocated toe on my right a year and a half ago. My forefoot area gets sore and achy in just about any shoes. But they don't hurt a bit after wearing the toning shoes. The arch support feels incredible. Like my feet are getting cuddled! :laugh:

As far as actual toning... I couldn't tell you. I do know they're tricky on uneven surfaces. Even walking the sidewalk, where it dips down for a driveway, makes me feel off balance. Great for dog walking or shopping or any walking on smooth surfaces, but not for hiking or running or anything like that.

From what I've heard from friends, the Reebok look a lot nicer, but it's really easy to roll your ankles. If you're prone to that sort of thing, which I am, the ugly rocker-shaped ones are better. I don't care that they're ugly. I just wear them shopping or dog walking. When I wanna look hot, I'll wear my 5" heels.

larkintx

I have had the Shape-ups for about a year now. My 8-yr old daughter calls them my hideous shoes, but they made a world of difference for me. I don't think they do any shaping up as they claim, but they are the sole reason my plantar fasciitus went away. I struggled for a year with extreme foot pain until I started wearing them. My pain is now completely gone and I have gone back to working out in regular tennis shoes now.

lindalee0315

@missmandy: That is so funny. I hadn't thought of that aspect of it, but I bet you're right! I don't need anyone staring at my rearview either.

eannhaynie

I just saw a commercial for New Balance ones that look like regular tennis shoes! I'm curious as to if they are worth it... I never wear tennis shoes though unless I'm out exercising. The shape ups are crazy ugly, lol!

ropedancer

Not going to touch those. I'm a super klutz and already have a difficult enough time as it it when it comes to tripping and falling at random moments. I don't need sneakers that make it harder to walk.

But for people that say that it motivates them to walk more, I really can't criticize that.

ItsMeMaryW

I have a pair of the Shape Ups, I thought I would just give them a try. Like the others not sure they really do much but they did help me with balance. When I first got them I walked slower than the group of walkers at work and I felt like I was working harder. I wear them all the time now for shopping and just general use because they are so comfortable. They do make me stand up straighter and walk differently but I use good gym shoes for working out.

LorinaLynn

I was definitely walking slower when I first got them. I think I drove my poor dog nuts, because we're usually the same pace. After three weeks, though, they seem like second nature.

NOLA_Meg

I think it depends on what your feet need and how you walk. They can be bad for you if you are a pronator or have tendon problems. I will never wear them because I have a problem with my achilles due to a deformity on my heelbone. My cousin is a renowned pediatrist and discourages her patients from wearing them and my aunt recently had to have surgery because they aggravated an existing condition and she had to be off her feet for months.... if you're going to walk around the house and yard it might be ok but if you're going to do any extended walking/running I would recommend being fit for a proper shoe at a trusted sports store in your area where they watch you walk/run and see how the shoe supports your foot.

Numanumanum

I found a pair of shapups made by Danskin @ Wal-Mart for $10. I could not pass them up since I've been wanting to try a pair. Today was my first real walk in them... well so far, they are one of the most comfortable pair of shoes I've ever had and I do feel the backs of my calfs and thighs burning. We live a the bottom of 2 hills and went up them both ways.... I feel encouraged that at least one part of my body is getting a workout for a change.
Now to just find something I will enjoy for the rest of me.

angelicdisgrace

I have two pairs of the reebok run tones ( love them) and one pair of the easy tone ( those I just like).

JoceyyySmall

Someone at a fitness store told me they only help about 11% which isn't a whole lot, but I am still very skeptical. I feel like over time your body will get used to it as with any form of exercise. The guy who talked to my friend about the shoes also explained how all the major brands didn't put out a tone up shoe. Its really only sketchers and reebok who have something out. For example Nike doesn't, but usually when something is very marketable and working well all the brands will come out with something similar to have under their name, but like I said Nike hasn't. So I thought this was true it made think. I personally wouldn't buy them because well if you just worked out for 10 minutes longer or gave 10 percent more effort well then there is what you have from the shoe. I say invest in a nice pair of sneakers. But if you think they will work its your decision.

dieselbugparrot

When I first got mine I thought what have I got myself into. Shoes that not only come with instructions but a dvd(workout-it's okay), these might be too complicated for me. At first my feet did hurt but you are only suppose to wear them for so long until your feet get used to them. Then after that they are wonderful. The problem with them is they lose their bouncy too fast and if you continue to wear them after it's gone you can start to walk funny. You have to replace them faster than normal tennis shoes. At first you feel like you will twist an ankle but you get used to them and then you stop thinking about that. You definitely shouldn't do anything active in them. I ran and played tennis in mine, very bad idea, thought for sure I was gonna twist an ankle. I really liked them while they lasted.

Now I'm wearing Reebok DMX Max, they are kinda like the Reebok Easytone. You can't play tennis in these either. The pads underneath are too grippy and make it hard to move fast. But for everyday, they are great shoes.

I don't recommend the generic Shape-ups you buy at stores discount-everything in one stores. Some ladies at work bought them and were very unhappy. The soles didn't even feel the same as Shape-ups.

Overall I liked my Shape-ups best but my Reeebok's have lasted way longer.

stephyy4632

my mom just got me a pair as her part in helping me get moving. While I`m not sure if they really help tone the are so comfy to wear I have extremely flat feet and normaly have to wear a dr. prescribed arch support in my shoes or my feet hurt so much I can hardly walk. Well with these shoes I haven`t had to wear my supports and I`ve been working out with them on for that last 2weeks now and my feet are very happy. I do find myself stepping higher with them than normal sneakers so that the bottoms don`t rub on the ground so they may be helping alittle in that area too. I will defently be getting another pair when these need replaced ( I have the sketchers brand shape-ups).

ivyjbres

I have a pair for work, and they are the most comfortable pair of work shoes I've ever had. They really make standing/walking for 8-20 hours on a concrete/tile floor much easier. But for chasing a toddler, well it depends on the toddler. If your toddler is fast and can turn a corner on a grain of sand without loosing speed, forget the shape ups, cause you need a way more solid foot plant that you're going to get with shape ups. You'll end up sliding off the platform and rolling your ankle. If your toddlers more mellow and you can keep up just walking and occasionally jogging, they shouldn't give you a problem.

chris0912

I have a pair of the Reebox (that I had customized with my nickname and my color choices for an Xmas gift). I definitely notice the difference between them and my "normal" athletic shoes. However, I recently began seeing a chiropractor who has banned me from wearing them, especially while exercising. She also doesn't want me wearing flip-flops, which I live in year 'round!

borichfan

I bought me a pr of Skechers Shape Ups, & i loved them so much that i bought me another pr for work, the white slip resistant ones for the school cafeteria job. I never noticed if they ever toned up my legs or not, i don't think so, but the reason i got them is the thick comfortable padded bottoms, because i have Plantar Fasciitis and the shape up shoes are comfortable for the bottoms of my feet. Also, since i drive a school bus as well, the thick rounded padded bottoms made it difficult to work the school bus gas & brake pedals properly, so i got a pr. of the Skechers Tone Ups shoes to drive the bus in. So i like the Skechers Shape Ups & the Tone Ups. So worth the money especially if you have Plantar Fasciitis.

chevy88grl

I've tried them on and felt like I was going to fall over and break my neck. Perhaps I am just uncoordinated or something, but seriously... I felt like I was trying to stand on a rocking chair.

Plus, I think they are hideously UGLY. All of them - no matter what brand. Ick. But, that is just me being shallow. LOL