new walking shoes that tone????

I liked these the first time I saw them.....


When they were called EARTH SHOES.... (~1970)


Keep your BS detector on full alert.

I think you might br thinking of the Shape-up Shoe by Skechers. A member of the 50 + Womens Thread (under Fitness & Motivation) got some and seemed favorably impressed.

I am old enough to remember The Earth Shoe from the 1970's. This is NOT the same shoe or concept. So you can put your BS detector back in your pocket :bigsmile:

And by the way, the Earth Shoe was a godsend for my (then) husband, who suffered from back pain as a result of a spinal fusion. He had a job that required him to be on his feet most of the time, and until he found the Earth Shoe, he thought he would have to quit.

Tony Little has a line of shoes called Cheeks that follow the same premise as the 70's earth shoe- lower in the back (would drive me crazy). The Reebok Easy Tone sneakers have a "stability ball" built into the heel and ball of the foot. The Skechers shoes have a soft wedge that your heel sinks into which supposedly simulates walking in soft sand (and they look like Frankenstein shoes). To me, the Reeboks look the most promising, and I wouldn't mind trying them.

I had a client ask me about the benefits of toning Sketchers. I looked hard and could only find 1 actual research article on the benefits. Yes - the ladies in the study got stronger from wearing them. But, when I reviewed the research it was on only 10 participants and 2 of the 10 dropped out due to pregnancy. One comment at the end of the study noted the women were told not to change their exercise patterns during the study but the women with the most strength gains admitted to walking more. There was no control group in this study and it would not make it into the medical journals... The company certainly is making a lot of claims off only 8 women.

Even the company website compares them to the older earth shoe concept to promote more upright posture by having heel lower than the forefoot.

My advice to my client was - if it will encourage you to do more, then go ahead and spend the $100. Make sure to follow the manufacture's advice to slowly introduce them into your daily life - you may become sore from overuse if you do to much to fast. I also suggested that she go to a store that sells them and try them out for 15 to 20 min and then wait until the next day to purchase them - to make sure that her body would tolerate the change in posture (she has a history of back problems)...

I have not researched the other brands of shoes that have been mentioned and dont plan to unless a client asks me about it. It took a half day to weed through the misinformation on the web and find the actual study that many sites were taking about but not giving the full story.

Just my 2 cents on the shoes. I do plan to try them on if I ever find a store that sells them :happy:

I wear MBT sneakers and sandals as often as possible and I can feel the difference in which muscles are being used. MBT - all the way from ankle to hip, even abs; other good shoes - ankle and lower leg. The MBT's are very different from any other shoe I've worn.

I haven't tried the new sneakers but imagine they are similar, based on the ads.

The key to walking/running with MBT's -and perhaps with the new sneakers, also - is to shorten your stride a little, so your feet remain basically under your body, posture tall but relaxed. Whenyou step you step to the thickest part of the shoe. The motion created is smooth, almost rolling (and I believe more gentle on the knees). If you contract your abs first you can really tell when you're doing it right. With the MBT's it takes a bit of practice but is well worth it. Notice the "triangle" from each ankle to your lower abs, and you'll get the idea pretty quickly.

If the sneakers are less expensive thtn the MBT's I'd try them first - my only complaint about the MBT's is the price.

I saw this ad last night and was very intrigued. I am definitely going to look into it, especially because the shoes are actually really cute. Would you wear them during your workout, or no?

I think they are for walking not for workouts - do your research - I find it hard to believe that they'd make a big difference for anyone.

I saw this ad last night and was very intrigued. I am definitely going to look into it, especially because the shoes are actually really cute. Would you wear them during your workout, or no?

I think they are for walking not for workouts - do your research - I find it hard to believe that they'd make a big difference for anyone.

Like any fitness technology....the shoes aren't going to do the work for you. Any "toning" that does occur is probably the result from actual excersise and fat loss.

The fact that the use the word "toning" tells me all I need to know.

They would work different muscles/ work muscles harder than walking in regular shoes. Halloween night, I walked uphill in high heels for an hour, and the next day my shins were killing me. Any change of footwear changes the muslces that get the most stress.

Voice of reason. Yay! :drinker:

Not to mention a person will adapt to whatever new "stresses" these shoes supply very quickly, meaning that any positive effects will be minimal..

The key to any exercise is to be intentional about the movements you're making for maximum results. Including something as natural as walking. I've had my MBT's for 2 years and still feel the muscles - because once I "found" them I wanted to keep using them, so I contract, etc intentionally. Can't tell, of course, how much of my slimmer legs is due to the MBT's and how much to just walking regularly - I just know they give me a harder workout than other shoes, and I like that!

I just got a pair of the Reebok EasyTone this weekend. I LOVE them. I'm not sure how much of a difference they will make in toning but they are unbelievably comfortable. My feet are normally "tired" by walking around all day in regular tennis shoes but not with these! Due to the way they make you balance and walk, I could definitely feel them working my legs and tush out more! They are expensive (thank goodness for birthday gifts!) but I think they are well worth it, as is any shoe that is good to your feet.