Tone-up shoes

I have read several studies from multiple sources that those shoes dont really work.

The claim to "tone" is false. The sketchers ones look horrid anyways. If you want to get a shoe that "tones" definitely go with Reebok. They make good shoes and they look better. You can run in the Reebok toning shoes too, and you can't run in the Sketchers ones. Well, you can, but it will be difficult, uncomfortable, and you'll look ridiculous lol

I have Sketchers tone ups and I can tell you I feel a difference when I use the treadmill with those VS my walking shoe. I feel it more in my calfs and in the back of my thighs more the next day.

Just an aside, the sketcher shape-ups and the MBTs are NOT meant for working out. You can wear them while you take a leisurely stroll around the block or while buying groceries or running errands but DO NOT wear them running or to the gym. I used to work at a upper-end shoe store and the representative from MBT told us all the repercussions of wearing them as "athletic" shoes. Don't do it.

To answer your question, I do believe toning shoes do something positive for your body but I don't believe they do much. They are great for if you suffer from plantar fasciitis. I wore a pair for a day and found that my posture was better and that I was breathing deeper. I believe that you probably do burn a few more calories a day and activate some muscle activity but as far as actual weight loss or toning is concerned, I think it's just a gimmick and not worth the money. I would equate the actual "burn" to doing 4 extra squats during the day.

If you do decide to give them a try, here's my advice. MBTs are around $250 and the only difference between an MBT and the sketcher shape-up is a tiny plastic layer built in to the insole that doesn't seem to do anything special. I'd save $150 and go for a generic brand. Rebook and New Balance have also come out with toning shoes that look like plain sneakers. There's not much to them in terms of support but you can probably put in an orthotic and be fine.

i have the reebok easy tone. When I walk for a long period of time my toes go numb.... So I personally wouldn't recommend them. I spent alot of money and was very disappointed. And when I do the Leslie Sansone videos my toes are so numb that they are sore when I am done.... and as for toning I don't think they do anything of that.... :ohwell:

If your toes are going numb, your shoes are probably too small. With athletic shoes, of any kind, you want to go one to two sizes bigger than what you normally wear. You want half to a full thumbs-print between the tip of your toe and the end of your shoe. I used to have the same problem with my toes going numb until I learned that it was a sizing issue, not a shoe issue.

I have the Sketcher Shape-ups and I wear them when walking on the treadmill. I used to get horrible foot pain when walking on there, but now I don't. I don't know if they do any toning, but just being able to be pain free while walking is worth every penny.

I don't have any studies to cite, but I have read that there is no real study that shows they do what they say they do. However, I have hypermobility in my joints, especially in my hips and my physical therapist suggested getting the cheap ones just to learn to balance.

I was also told that they are not meant to wear while working out. Alot of MA's and Nurses wear them to work. I know some people who wear them around the house. But I would think working out anymore than a light stroll would be somewhat damaging to the natural positioning and alignment of the body. But I don't know... I'm to clumsy to even attempt such a thing. I fell in the store just trying the dang things on!:laugh: