Do Toning Shoes Really Work?

The latest development in fitness footwear is toning shoes. These shoes promise to improve your posture, reduce impact shock during walking and to tone and trim your lower body whilst you walk around as normal when wearing them. Slogans such as “Get in shape without setting foot in the gym” (Skechers) and “A workout while you walk” (Fitflops) abound. It’s hardly surprising that these toning shoes are now one of the fastest growing market segments. After all, who wouldn’t want to get toned and trim just by walking around as normal? But do they actually work?

The precise mechanism varies from brand to brand – but a specially designed sole seems to be the common theme. This produces an element of instability whilst walking which triggers muscles which might otherwise be unused in an effort to regain balance. The upshot of this is that the wearers of toning shoes use more energy whilst walking than they would do if they were wearing standard fitness footwear. According to the various manufacturers, this increased level of muscle activity has a number of different benefits including better posture, muscle toning, using more calories and assisting with weight loss.

A wide variety of different manufacturers now offer toning shoes. Reebok Easy Tones, Fitflops sandals, Skechers Shape Ups Shoes and Masai Barefoot Technology are probably the best known and most popular.

Masai Barefoot Technology (MBT) shoes could justifiably claim to have been first on the market. They are based on reproducing the barefoot walking style of Masai tribesmen (hence the name) who are known for their good posture and who have a low incidence of back pain. This barefoot walking sensation is attained by the use of a thick, curved sole which creates an uneven walking platform. According to MBT, the curved sole tends to result in a gentle rolling motion when your heel makes contact with the ground which reduces impact shock whilst walking. It also encourages users to engage their leg muscles for a greater period of time than they would were they walking in conventional exercise shoes.

Skechers Shape Ups use a very similar technology to MBT shoes. They use a chunky, thick, curved sole which incorporates a special kinetic foam wedge, to mimic the sensation of walking barefoot over soft sand. Skechers claim to have introduced the first “stylish” toning shoes. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but what’s indisputable is that Skechers offer a massive choice of different toning shoes including exercise shoes, boots, sandals and Mary Janes.

Fit Flops sandals were developed in the UK by Marcia Kilgore – an ex-personal fitness trainer who didn’t have time to get to the gym due to her busy lifestyle. Fitflops started as a selection of brightly coloured sandals but – in response to customer demand – slippers, clogs and boots were subsequently introduced. Fitflops also incorporate a thick, specially curved sole – although it’s not quite as thick and chunky as Skechers and MBTs – which utilises materials of different densities in different parts of the sole. The end result is what Fitflops refer to as the “microwobbleboard” effect. Slight imbalance leads to extra work and a toning workout for the lower body.

The newest addition to the toning shoes market is Reebok Easy Tones. These are a little different to the shoes discussed thus far since they use special air pods in the sole of the shoe as opposed to a curved sole. Once again, the imbalance produced means that the muscles will perform additional work as they try to regain balance. According to Reebok, wearers will perform 11% more work with their hamstrings and calves and 28% more work with their buttock muscles than they would do were they to walk in normal fitness shoes.

So, do toning shoes actually work – or is it just a clever piece of marketing? It almost goes without saying that all of the different manufacturers have had independent clinical trials carried out – many of which seem to support their claims. However, some sceptics query the validity of some of these trials – citing small sample sizes as an area for concern. The fact that the trials, although carried out by independent bodies, were funded by the shoe manufacturers has also given rise to some doubts.

However, the fact that toning shoes have some benefits seems clear. The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) have, for example, granted their seal of approval to the Fitflops range of shoes. This shouldn’t be taken to be an endorsement of Fitflops claims regarding trimming and toning – but as confirmation that such shoes can lower impact jarring and reduce the stress on joints whilst walking. It’s interesting to note that, of the many positive user testimonials available online, many of them make reference to better posture and reduced joint pain.

One of the benefits that toning shoes almost certainly deliver, is to encourage their wearers to walk further and more often than normal. If they do nothing else, that’s still a huge step in the right direction.

Get all the facts on toning shoes like Fit flops and Skechers Shape Ups and see if you can get a workout while you walk.